8mm Forum: Noob here, need some help with a Sankyo 600

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Posted by Jacob Hansard (Member # 5114) on November 15, 2015, 06:07 PM:

Hi everybody! I just recently purchased a Sankyo Sound 600 on a bit of a whim. Found a Sankyo super 8 camera, and Sound 600 projector for $12.50 (for both) at a thrift store about a week ago. I believe I scored. I've been keeping my eye out for a 8mm projector as a bunch of reels from my Moms younger years just surfaced. Unfortunately, after reading a bit, regular 8mm won't play on a super 8 projector. However, I still find myself enamored with the projector, and would like to get it in well working condition, so here are some of the issues...

The projector seems to be in great shape, but sat in an older women's attic for many many years, so I believe the fixes should be quite simple (hopefully). The main drive belt had completely rotted, so I replaced that. The reel drive belt still looks to be in fairly decent condition...maybe slightly stretched.

When I first turned the projector on, both forward and reverse worked, but ran quite slow. After playing around with it some, reverse completely stopped working. Forward works, but when putting it into reverse absolutely nothing happens. Wondering if anyone has any idea of what might be happening.

As for the slowness I've read about the two screws that can adjust the speed (and to use something not conductive to adjust them), but was wondering if this could also be a belt issue (stretched). I bought the main belt drive from Ebay. It seems to be slightly loose as well, and looks as though it is simply a standard o ring that can be bought at a hardware store for less than a dollar (paid 7, so I feel a little ripped). I didn't see any reel belts on Ebay for this projector.

And lastly, the framing knob will only turn ever so slightly (about a millimeter in each direction). Is this how it is supposed to be, or is it supposed to turn freely?

Other than those things, the projector is in good shape. Sound works (but slow), and the lamp is still bright. It looks as though the projector was hardly used, and other than the belts looks brand new. It was still in the original box, and still has the user manual as well.

Thanks for your advise!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 16, 2015, 02:25 AM:

The main control knob on a Sankyo connects to a series of micro-switches. Unfortunately, a common problem is that some of these micro-switches often fail. It is not an easy job to replace them.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on November 16, 2015, 09:31 AM:

I did this surgery on one of my Elmos.

Doable?: absolutely.

Worth it?: completely.

Easy?: no.

I had a beer afterwards and I had certainly earned it! It's just digging deep into the heart of the machine and there are a lot of parts (including many screws and lock washers) that have to be kept organized so the machine returns completely to normal afterwards.

I only replaced one of the switches. I probably would have been wiser to replace them all and prevent having to do it again some day.

I've never had belts become a speed issue: usually they just break on me.

I recently revived a silent machine for my son: it was a little lazy speed wise. One thing I did was change the voltage selector to "110" from "125" and that helped. The other thing was I lubed the gear train. I'd say that helped even more in this case.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on November 16, 2015, 11:51 AM:

Hi Jacob...Sounds like your projector is in good cosmetic shape, but mechanically it has some potentially big problems. If replacing the supply reel arm belt doesn't help with the reverse problem, then it's most likely one of the micro switches is bad. The micro switches control forward and reverse motion. I have replaced the switches in my Sankyo 600...and as previously stated...it's not easy. Here's a link with pictures of my replacement.
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009970

Add some oil to the motor and let it run. Try adjusting the speed pots to see if that changes the speed.

As far as the framing knob...it should turn more than a few millimeters. Look to see if something is either bent or preventing movement of the knob.

[ November 16, 2015, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

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