8mm Forum: BOLEX M8 ~ Opening the Case ? ~

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Posted by Scott Gabriel (Member # 5208) on January 31, 2016, 08:28 AM:

Hi,
I just acquired a nice Bolex M8 projector. I've seen a picture somewhere on the forums or the net of the case opened, but can't seem to find it now.

I'd like to get inside and clean out old lube and the dust that was found when I took the bottom plate off. And to see if the oilers were over oiled as I see something has dripped down into the lower compartment.

Can someone please inform me which screws hold the two halves of the case together?
I don't want to loosen a screw I don't need to and inadvertently mess something up.

I see 3 screws that seem obvious, but can there only be three? There is one I have marked with a question mark but maybe it has nothing to do with hold the case together.
Is there another screw somewhere else?

Am I missing something here? Thank you.
Scott

Posted by Clinton Hunt (Member # 2072) on January 31, 2016, 05:54 PM:

This isn't an answer to your question but I will keep checking your post to see what the answer is :-)
I have 3 of these projectors all slightly different because of the year each were made.And all run beautifully but I've never looked inside them!
Cheers,
Clinton :-)

Posted by Scott Gabriel (Member # 5208) on January 31, 2016, 07:25 PM:

Ha. I guess I don't really need to look inside either, Clnton. This one seems to run fine too. It's just my nature I suppose. And I can't help but think it needs looking at, after lo these SIXTY years.
It amazes me one can still find wonderful machines like this after that long, and they still look great and run like a Swiss watch.

Hope someone responds. Or maybe I'll just dive in.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 01, 2016, 04:43 AM:

Scott
Here is a link to Bolex in Switzerland. I suggest you send them an email.
I have used this service and usually get a quick reply in good English.
http://www.bolex.ch/NEW/contact.php?p=8

Posted by Scott Gabriel (Member # 5208) on February 01, 2016, 08:17 AM:

Thanks Maurice,
I never thought of that. But I may try it.

Not to be cynical but, I might expect a response something to the effect of;

"We do not recommend consumers open the case of our projectors.." "There are no end user serviceable parts inside of this unit"..."Please return the projector to us for any needed repairs"...Etc.

But I could be wrong!
Thanks

p.s. I can confirm that the screw I have labeled with a question mark is not one that is used to attach the case halves together.

Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on February 01, 2016, 10:07 AM:

Bolex might hopefully provide some information. I never opened any of M8s because they did run just fine. I did take the bottom plate off and cleaned up in there. The issue I have with venturing into the unknown is that there may be a spring, a gear or some other object that may come loose and fall out when you pop the case open. It may be difficult to find where the object came from exactly. This would typically happen when you take it apart in say, the standing position, when it should have been laying down. Don't ask me how I know this.

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on February 01, 2016, 11:43 AM:

I don't have my M8 in front of me right now but if I remember correctly behind the lens on the plate where you show the screws in the photo above is an opening where you can see the gears inside. I took a small artists paint brush and applied some white lithium grease to the gears as I turned it with the knob on the front. Use a flashlight to see what you are doing.

Several years ago I had an M8 that started making a lot of noise. I stopped it right away and applied as much oil to the wicks as they would take. I then slowly rotated the workings with the knob on the front until everything seemed to be lubricated. It worked fine after that. I give it a drop of oil after each use.

Posted by Scott Gabriel (Member # 5208) on February 01, 2016, 11:47 AM:

Thanks Barry,

Exactly my worries. This machines seems to run fine. I think. So maybe I ought to leave well enough alone. What's that they say about curiosity and the cat?

I did note when I used it in earnest for the first time this morning, a low "pop" sound when I turned the lamp on. Like the sound of an arc. Yikes. Never like that sound. But it didn't do it every time. Lamp slightly loose maybe.

If I work up the courage I may try to open this thing. But your mention of an errant spring or part laying there when I do has me holding off.

Sure wish I could find that thread where some guy showed his M8 with the front off. But no matter how I search, I can't find it now.

Edit: Thanks Bryan. I'll take a look and see what I can see in there. Thank you.

Posted by John Last (Member # 3414) on February 01, 2016, 02:38 PM:

There are 4 screws to remove to gain access to the innards of the M8. 2 of them are on the RHS, top and bottom to the right of the lens barrel. The 3rd. one is of the same length and is at the bottom RHS of the lamp house. Directly above this one at the top of the lamp house is the 4th screw and it is quite long. All screws are very tight. Therefore, lay the M8 on its side on some thick cloth then take a large screwdriver and file the blade so it fits the screws very accurately. Retract the claw and separate the two castings. You may need to unscrew the lamp connections. When replacing the outer casting, just watch that all the gears are in place and rotate the inching knob slightly until everything clicks back in place.

Posted by Scott Gabriel (Member # 5208) on February 01, 2016, 06:33 PM:

Thank you John,
I presume the 4th screw you are referring to is the one on the upper corner of the lamp house, shown in the top left corner of my picture.
I see you are not set up to receive emails or private messages. So, may I ask you a couple of questions regarding further details before I attempt this operation?
If so , I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
Scott

Oh and, regarding screw drivers. Good point. So to speak. I just happen to have a full set of gunsmithing driver bits, one of which fits these screws perfectly. I got them when I was restoring an old Singer sewing machine. One of my better tool investments. There's nothing like a perfectly fitting screw driver when working on fine machines.

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