8mm Forum: Kodak Brownie 300

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Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on April 12, 2018, 01:04 AM:

I just returned from visiting my grand kids. The 7 year old was very interested in discussing projectors and how they worked. He drew some pictures of a projector while we were talking and labeled parts.

When I got home I hunted down a Kodak Brownie projector at a local Thrift Shop with the intention of giving it to my grandson.

Cosmetically it looked in excellent condition. Didn't really look like it had been run..still had it's original Kodak tag attached. However the power cord rubber was completely dried out and exposing the wires at every bend. I couldn't plug it in...too dangerous.

I replaced the cord with one I got off another projector...plugged it in and the motor started and the light went on...this was good [Smile]

...but the spindles did not turn in forward or reverse ...this was not so good [Frown]

Here are a couple shots of the back. Everything is pretty enclosed with a riveted metal shield. I've never worked on one of these before. I did notice something wrapped tightly around the transformer...looked odd, but maybe it's suppose to be like that?

If you ever had one of these machines...they are very common...I'd appreciate any assistance?

[ April 12, 2018, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on April 12, 2018, 01:36 AM:

Brilliant Janice...that top drawing looks great [Smile]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 12, 2018, 10:02 AM:

Janice, You may be one of the coolest grandmothers ever to live!

(Mine watched Yankee games and Lawrence Welk!)

I think I got a shock from that line cord just looking at it!

Is there any torque at all on your spindles? It could be that some gear inside has disintegrated (kind of a Kodak specialty.)

I'm seeing some of that cream-colored plastic that is known for becoming brittle with age. (Some say it's actually macaroni...)

Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on April 12, 2018, 12:40 PM:

Janice, if you can't get the running and want to try another one, there are usually several on the Goodwill online auction site. They usually sell for very little. There are nine of them listed there right now with prices from 5 to 11 dollars.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on April 12, 2018, 08:12 PM:

@Graham...I was pretty impressed too. He just loved sitting with me and talking about how film was projected. He was excited that he had figured it out.

@Steve...Yes...It appears this projector is suffering from "long-time storage syndrome." Not much to salvage [Frown]

@Barry...Thanks for the suggestion...I've decided this Brownie is not worth the effort to repair. I have two Brumbergers which are similar in design and working very well. My grandson is actually a little young right now to operate the projector on his own anyway, but he likes talking about them and we can see and talk about projectors via the webcam. The Brownie had a working bulb that fits the Brumberger so it wasn't a complete loss:)

[ April 12, 2018, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

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