8mm Forum: Look what arrived in the post today

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Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 08, 2016, 09:48 AM:

I'm now the proud owner of a Beaulieu 708el. She needs some work as she's blowing internal fuses but as she wasn't very expensive at all I can lavish some attention on her. I think she needs it, poor old girl!

First thing is a crack in the rear case, but that's no biggie:

Three bladed shutter - that'll get replaced asap [Wink]

She's a bit grimy, I get the feeling she's not been used for some time, just take a look at the sound heads - that's oxide dust I think:

Need to investigate the bottom of the gate closely, to see if that's just grime or wear:

Glad it's got the 1.1 lens:

Here's the serial number:

Next thing is to start trying to fault find the electrical problem. Andrew W has already very kindly given me some pointers to check through. Hoping to find time to get the back off and see exactly *which* fuse is blowing very soon. If I have no luck I'll have to speak *very* nicely to Bill Parsons...

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 08, 2016, 10:21 AM:

Congratulations Stuart!

Your postmans sack must be very very large! Lol.

There is no doubt, you have your work cut out to begin with here, but as you say, to start with, the majority of your work just involves you stripping and cleaning (the projector parts not your good clean self you understand!😁😁).

Even if you can get the machine looking like a relative new pin, but then cannot solve the electrical / electronic issues, then hopefully, you won't potentially frighten someone like Bill completely away from the project once it is just circuit boards and their components that just need the attention.

I have, as you know, all drawings and litrature you are likely to need, so each step of the way, just ask as and when you may require some help.
There are people like Phil M here also that has great working knowledge of this duo play model, so you are certainly not fighting alone with this one Stuart!

I am glad at least, that you did not require a lens for it by the looks of things.
Anyhow, good luck with it Stuart and once again, congratulations on your acquisition.
As you've owned one of these previously and you described it as the best projector you previously ever had, you certainly have all of the motivation to achieve great things for this somewhat neglected machine and all of the drive and enthusiasm required to achieve your goal hopefully. [Smile]

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 08, 2016, 12:11 PM:

Heh heh, I think I'll need a clean after I've had this one apart! Andrew, what's your opinion of ultrasonically cleaning machine parts? I have one of those small unltrasonic jewellery cleaners and wondered if they're suitable for some of the metal components? Of course it means they're submerged in water for a few minutes... [Confused]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 08, 2016, 12:19 PM:

Congratulations on you're delivery! A good projector!

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 08, 2016, 06:04 PM:

I simply refer to it as "Gillette". [Big Grin]

they work well from my own experiences of using these in a laboratory Stuart.
I would not put painted parts in there of course or obviously, anything like a magnetic head or a Solenoid! ha ha.

for general internal linkages, brackets and the likes, no issues.
Even bearings and clutches will be fine if you allow them to fully air dry before lubricating them immediately prior to fitting.

No different to the stuff used in industry at the end of the day Stuart,the kind of thing I'm much more familiar with for bigger similar components ...only for miniature parts usage, hence great for pure metal delicate and detailed jewellery items.

http://www.technowash.com/

Rob Young here is also someone I know who has both owned a pristine version of your model Stuart, seemingly from new or almost new, and has worked on his at various stages.

He is another extremely useful and knowledgeable resource here for all things Beaulieu 708 and a superb chap to talk with.

[ August 09, 2016, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on August 09, 2016, 04:02 AM:

The german company is now doing the back cover for these, but it maybe the stereo version, probably the same though.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 09, 2016, 04:19 AM:

Yes Paul, I believe it will fit all models, albeit with the unused extra loudspeaker vent.

Not sure how the cut out would work either though for the din sockets, though I think the early models just had blanks for the positions the extra sockets occupied later maybe?

Posted by David Hardy (Member # 4628) on August 09, 2016, 04:39 AM:

Well done on getting that machine at a reasonable price Stuart.
As Andrew states you do indeed have your work cut out for you.
I am sure it will be a labour of love for you though.

As a Pro seeing those photos you posted makes me feel like vomiting when I see the state some people let these quality machines get into. [Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 09, 2016, 05:34 AM:

I agree with you 100% there David!

Still, often these things are not in the hands of their original passionate owners now.
They get stuck in cupboards, lofts, cellars and worse still, garden sheds and garages, and therefore become very very neglected over long periods of time.

No doubt the individual who purchased a machine of this standard and value originally, would have never allowed such neglect in their time of ownership.

Without sounding negative here regarding Stuart's plans, he does have to be careful regarding the overall expenditure of this project here, I feel.

The 2/ 3 bladed shutter replacement for these currently costs 249 euros before tax plus p&p.

The rear cover retails at 238 euros.

A renovated Stereo model in Germany from a dealer can be currently purchased for around the one thousand pound mark.

It is clear to see that these type of projects can soon work out as expensive, if not more expensive, than just buying one in top condition to begin with.

It has to be remembered of course, that a project such as this can be completed in stages, like a restoration of a vintage motor car, so it's true to say, the outlay can be spread out over a greater period of time.

Still, it will always be only ever a duo play model and so to that end, I hope Stuart can find some spare parts and services he may need, at bargain basement prices.

I can certainly assist him with a bargain basement price for a spare main motor for these now, should he ever need one.

I wish Stuart all the good fortune in the world regarding this one. He deserves it, and anyway I can assist him, he knows only too well, I will. [Smile]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on August 09, 2016, 11:55 AM:

Thats a lot of machine there. [Wink]

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 09, 2016, 02:22 PM:

Thanks guys, still got to power her up and see where the faults lay. Andrew, you're quite right that spares etc for this one could soon mount up, but things like the rear cover for €238? Whew, I think i'll just patch it up from the inside and have done with it, especially as it's not much better than cardboard - I always thought the rear cover was an odd design on this projector. One thing's for sure, cosmetically it's not as terrible as the one that was on eBay a few months back with its paint peeling off and some terrible pitting.

Which leads me to: what's the best way to clean the paintwork on these? There's a light whitish residue over some of the paint, not sure if it's just ingrained dust?

Right,back to work - gotta pay for the spares somehow [Big Grin]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on August 09, 2016, 03:14 PM:

"There's a light whitish residue over some of the paint, not sure if it's just ingrained dust?"

Sorry Stuart, nope, that's just Beaulieu's very bad paint job which goes bad after time.

Good news is that wiping over with something like a tub of office cleaning wipes can remove most of the residue, but you will need to consider touching it up or even re-spraying at some point.

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 09, 2016, 03:28 PM:

Cheers Rob, I get the feeling I'll be bugging you a bit over the coming months...

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 09, 2016, 03:48 PM:

Yes,Rob is of course, quite right here Stuart.

Paul Browning who is extremely knowledgeable on paint work techniques used in the car industry etc, went into great detail regarding this subject on these in a past post here Stuart if you wish to look it up.

I haven't so far had any negative experiences regarding the paintwork on mine, but to be fair, it was very well cared for by its previous owner and I try my utmost to do likewise.

I think if damp or humid conditions are avoided at all cost, these projectors are fine.
The previous owner had this in a temperature controlled dedicated cinema room with a dehumidifier.

I am not in any position to give it a similar luxurious environment, but I do keep the house at a nice comfortable stable temperature where at all possible and we don't suffer any damp in here.

In the time ive had this, nothing has changed so far anyhow.

Finally, regarding the rear cover, it may well appear a somewhat unusual design compared to the robust build of the rest of the framework on these, but I truly believe this type of flexible pliable soft plastic was selected for its non resonance sound deadening qualities above all else.

Machines that have rear steel covers like the ST1200 do have a tendency in my experiences of ownership with them, of amplifying every single noise or rattle from within the inner workings of the machine without the aid of a round profiled recessed rubber isolating gasket within them.

Speakers really don't like being mounted in hard plastic shells like the Bauer machines nor steel ones. You do get lots of vibrations running through them, causing unwanted resonance noise.

It's not the strongest material in the world on these I'll grant you, but if handled correctly and kept inside a transit case if possible, nothing really should happen to it.

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 09, 2016, 04:02 PM:

Andrew, that makes perfect sense about the rear cover now you mention it. Of course in hi-fi terms we'd be looking at making the speaker mount as absolutely rigid and inert as possible to deaden any discolouration, but well... we're not quite in hi-fi realms here.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 09, 2016, 04:04 PM:

It ought to be made of concrete in an ideal world Stuart!

Then of course we would complain as it struck the banister coming down the stairs with it, only to break into two halves!!😀😀😀

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 09, 2016, 04:11 PM:

Hah! I proper laughed out loud!

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on August 09, 2016, 04:18 PM:

Bug me all you want mate!

As Andrew will confirm, we live and learn from each other here!

[Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 09, 2016, 04:21 PM:

Joking aside Stuart, when it comes to spares, run it by me whatever you are seeking come the time.

I have quite a few already depending on the parts required.
Any I have would be a fraction of the prices of new ones! [Smile]

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on August 09, 2016, 04:35 PM:

Cheers lads, much appreciated. [Smile]

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