Posts: 9
From: Livermore, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2014
posted June 13, 2014 06:50 PM
Thank you for being so helpful to a new enthusiast. I have a few new questions. My Keystone k-108 came with two reels. One locks in place (must be stock) but the other is a different color and has different knotches and does not lock in place. It spins freely. Do I need both reels to lock? If so, I may need to buy another cheep 108 for its reels and parts. Also, how does it work if I purchase an old 8mm Chaplin film for example? How does the new reel fit on my particular projector? Is there some kind of universal reel? Thanks for your help. My goal is to show old 8mm films to my kids. They only know the digital world. Stu
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted June 13, 2014 07:31 PM
Hi Stu
Welcome to the forum.
Your projector runs standard 8mm films only. it sounds like you have a standard 8mm empty take up reel and the other has a slightly larger hole making it super 8mm which you can not run on your projector. However, most of the old silent films you want to show are on standard 8mm film. You can buy a plastic adapter on ebay that will fit snap into the larger hole allowing it to fit on the smaller spindle. Good luck and welcome to the hobby!
Posts: 144
From: El Cerrito, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2014
posted June 13, 2014 08:21 PM
Hi Stu, Welcome to the Forum from a fellow Bay Area newbie. I have some spares and stuff I can send you for free. I'll send you a personal message. - Clay
Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011
posted June 13, 2014 10:54 PM
Welcome Stu! I too am from the Bay Area and think it's great you want to show your kids some old films. I just had my grandkids stay with me for a few days.... and they love Laurel and Hardy.
-------------------- Janice
"I'm having a very good day!" Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).
Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013
posted June 14, 2014 01:44 AM
Welcome on this forum, Stu. As Pasquale said your non fitting reel is probably a super 8 one. You don't need to have two empty reels. When you buy a film (be sure it is standard 8), it will come on a reel, so you need only another one (which you already have) to take the film up when projecting. I would advise you if you're not familiar with projectors and haven't the instruction manual to have a look on youtube, there are several demonstrations clips. Be aware that some old projectors models (I don't know if it is the case for your machine as I don't have one like this) need to be lubed with one or two drops of (sewing machine) oil where you can see small red holes. Don't put oil if you don't see red paint or if you are not sure.
Posts: 9
From: Livermore, CA, USA
Registered: Apr 2014
posted June 14, 2014 02:53 AM
You have all been so helpful. Thank you. The next step is to lubricate and start my beautiful projector. I’ll worry about learning how to actually thread and view a film later. One step at a time. Stay tuned. :-)