8mm Forum: Racket in the Film Gate Area

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Topic: Racket in the Film Gate Area

Timothy Duncan
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 150
From: Russellville, KY, USA
Registered: Sep 2014

posted January 11, 2015 08:29 PM

On my silent projector, there is a clacking noise in the film gate with the lens down and film running through it. Without film there is no noise. Manually operating the moving parts, I see the two little teeth in the gate moving in and out (presumably as they should) as the film moves past the aperture and the clacking noise is only with the lens down as the film passes (not with the lens opened). But I know the film is getting ready to jam at any moment, so I run it backwards to get it out (without any problems or unusual noise in this direction). Am I making sense? What can I check or do to fix the problem and run my silent films? I have cleaned the gate and the pressure plate seems to have plenty of spring action and lastly, nothing is bent or damaged. I've taken a flashlight and tried to see anything unusual when running the machine and I see nothing in the loop sections causing problems. It seems to have something to do with the teeth in the gate. I believe this was the problem I had early on in the hobby (that was occasional then) that is now a problem every time. Thanks for any suggestions guys and gals.-Tim

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 12, 2015 09:16 AM

Please specify the make and model number of your projector.

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Mathew James
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 740
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2014

posted January 15, 2015 09:11 PM

I have a B & H but not this model so I am only guessing, but....
...could it be that the springs on the gate which hold the gate against the film when the lens is in the closed position are loosing their springiness??? Maybe someone else will chime (or chirp) in here...
Cheers,
Matt

Is this your machine?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpVmAAx_PxA

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Cheers,
Matt 📽

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 15, 2015 09:55 PM

You might try very slightly adjusting the position of the fixed edge guide in the gate, to get the claw exactly on the center of the sprocket holes.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Mathew James
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 740
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Dec 2014

posted January 16, 2015 09:59 AM

On my elmo st180E, every once in a blue moon, i get what i 'think' may be what you are describing.....
Although my springs look to be okay as well, I still wonder if new springs would be a help. I think that these springs may 'look' okay, but they loose their tension somewhat, even if they appear okay. The only way to know for sure i suppose is if there was a way to test, but because these springs are so small, the equipment need to test such a small spring tension would be a very calibrated tool, which most would never have access to...
My only suggestion would be to perhaps keep an eye out for new springs, and if they are cheap enough, give them a whirl down the road....
btw- i like B&H's. I started with a silent BH when i started last year, and now moved into elmo because of the sound side of things. I still have my BH but need a bulb, and instead of the older bulbs, there is a guy on ebay who sells these kits to update the old bulb system to the newer long lasting bulbs, but they are ~75$ which is alot for me to fix my machine that i paid $30 for [Smile]

I hope you find a solution!
Cheers,
Matt

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Cheers,
Matt 📽

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