8mm Forum: Korvettes Instdual 444 8 RZ: issue w/ gears

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Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 04, 2019, 12:55 PM:

Hello Team! I have this not too common projector, distributed I think by a department store called Korvettes back in the day; not sure who makes the actual projector. The gears spin slow and stop; when stopped, the belt isn't turning but the fan is. I'm not sure if the gears are too tight or jammed a bit, or if the belt is wearing or maybe not even the right one. The belt that's in there is not broke; maybe it's wore too much, or is enlarged? I'll try to include some pics. It's a wedge shaped belt; meaning, not a tube shaped, and not flat. It wedges down on one side into the gears, at least the belt installed. Also I'm not sure what kind of belt (looks like it's 2.5 inches from outer edge to outer edge) to order since I can't find a parts list for Korvettes! Thanks for your thoughts on this project...!

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 04, 2019, 08:06 PM:

John, your story warms my heart!

-because back until maybe my college days EJ Korvette was just about my favorite department store. They had Super-8 Kodachrome with a processing mailer on sale for like 4 bucks a cartridge a couple of times a year. Mom cleared space on the bottom shelf of the 'fridge, and I made a ton of films as a result!

I think Korvette's had a warm spot for 8mm film: I have metal film cans with "EJ Korvette" stamped in them.

I did some looking around and our friend Van Eck has parts for a very similar Korvette machine including the belts.

EJ Korvette!

Posted by Nantawat Kittiwarakul (Member # 6050) on September 04, 2019, 08:16 PM:

It's time to take a tour to your local hardware store. [Big Grin]

Digging deep down to the o-ring section, it is possible to have a more or less the same size o-ring to fit in. That will do the job for sure. [Wink]

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 04, 2019, 08:22 PM:

Thanks Steve and Nantawat! Love the info on Korvettes! And thanks for the link. And thanks for the hardware store tip; sounds like a great idea too, as on Ebay someone has one for $18.. that's more than the projector cost lol!
So does the belt look bad to either of you? Do they sometimes enlarge or just become unable to reliably turn the gears?
Thanks!

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 04, 2019, 08:34 PM:

If I saw a belt like that on a car engine, I would put a new one on. It's pretty glazed looking and starting to fray as well.

-different set of priorities, of course!

(I've never had to walk home because I busted a projector belt!)

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 06:28 AM:

Good point! Common sense wins out again! : )

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on September 05, 2019, 07:04 AM:

John - As far as I can see, this projector is a Prinz Magnon LV by another name. I had one for years. Excellent silent machine. 8v 50w bulb I seem to recall?

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 07:51 AM:

Oooh that's helpful! I think you're right on the bulb; I haven't taken it out yet to look at it. But it seems bright and a good unit, if I can fix this issue! Thanks so much, I'll look that model up later!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 05, 2019, 09:54 AM:

Here's the Prinz Magnon LV.
https://www.van-eck.net/img/itable/images/film_102_ZA_1483775054423.JPG

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 10:49 AM:

That's pretty much it! Minus the 8mm/Super8 switch on the side? Unless I missed it in a quick check. Thanks!!

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 05, 2019, 12:19 PM:

I love the "Korvette" lens!

Were people supposed to believe that EJ Korvette and Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward had projector factories some place? (I'm sure some did!)

What was also different about those days was cinema gear was not sold in the same department you bought your TV and audio gear. Those were called "home entertainment" or "consumer electronics". A movie projector was sold right alongside movie cameras, movie film and movie editing supplies. It was considered photography gear and you bought in in the camera department.

What's a little sad about our times is back then you could actually go to the store and see first hand what they had. It's an obscure custom called "shopping": a ritual of ancient cultures!

-back then "shopping online" meant you were standing at the cash register (-and there was a comma in between...)

My parents used to take us down to a big local department store and we kind of grazed there: anything you could imagine was there from toys to cameras to clothes to tires to tools. They even had services: I remember one had a shoe repair department and another you could hire an attorney!

When you were all done you could get your kid a snack and everyone went home happy! Until amazon.com can produce a hot pretzel with their deliveries, something is missing!

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 12:44 PM:

Awesome history there! I never saw a Korvettes. I grew up in CA, we had other department stores there besides the main big named ones.
But I did think the lens, brightness, etc. looked pretty good! I just need to get this projector functional so I can really assess it. But again, it looked clear, bright, etc. for a 50w bulb if that's the case.

ps for the dept. store brands, I have what I consider to be an awesome Sears Super 8 Sound projector specimen...! It seems really solid and whoever made it (Chinon? not sure) it's pretty solid, great display, functions, etc.

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on September 05, 2019, 12:49 PM:

John did you find a belt yet? It looks like a square belt! I have plenty of them in stock! Let me know!

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 12:50 PM:

Hi, here comes the dumb question or comment of the day; I have the belt pictures in the top of the thread; does it look square? Or are you talking about the wedge shape to the belt? it looks round to me...!

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on September 05, 2019, 12:55 PM:

Its a square belt! I will check and see if I have one to match!

Posted by William Olson (Member # 2083) on September 05, 2019, 01:17 PM:

Korvettes was where I bought my Super8 colour sound 9 minute excerpts from Star Wars. It was also my go-to place for buying records. Their record department was the best.

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 01:30 PM:

From some of this discussion, maybe it is the belt and pulleys being too greasy? I did notice inside it looks too lubricated for an old projector; maybe someone applied grease/etc. too liberally. Look at this from another post:
If the belts slip its often oil or grease in the "V" of the pulleys that the belt fits into, try cleaning these out first, then clean the belts before refitting.
Just use a good de-greasing cleaner and get it right into the pulleys pitch or groove.

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on September 05, 2019, 01:38 PM:

Well try it and see what happens?

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 01:45 PM:

Yes, why do I have to be at work now?!? heehee
I'll try it when I get home and let everything dry out overnight, etc. try to finish it tomorrow night or the weekend.

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on September 05, 2019, 02:01 PM:

Good luck!

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 02:08 PM:

You guys ever try Belt Dressing/Conditioner for these types of issues once cleaned? If so, does it help? I see it in aerosol cans from Lowes, etc.

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on September 05, 2019, 02:13 PM:

John, I have never tried it before I just replace it! But just give it a good cleaning and see what happens!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 05, 2019, 02:48 PM:

I understand that the projector was made in Japan.

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 05, 2019, 02:58 PM:

Isn't this cool that Korvettes Projector has such a long informative thread?!? They'd be so proud!!

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 06, 2019, 06:47 PM:

Hey Team! Happy Weekend and NFL season, if you like either ; )
So I de-greased and then installed the belt, but alas, to no avail, as the issue remains. The bottom gear spins, but the belt doesn't really catch and barely moves here/there the top gear. So I have to assume the belt either stretched to the point of being too loose, or it's the wrong belt someone put on it. Oh hey, look at this, I found another model of this projector! It's got its DNA all over the place:
https://www.filmkorn.org/super8data/database/projectors_list/projectors_magno n/magnon_800_dls.htm
Guess it is also the Magnon 800.
I saw a belt on eBay for 7.99... guess I'll try that as one final step. There's no other way to mimic, for a short-while, a belt with a rubber band or string or... right? Want to make sure there is no MacGyver tip you all know of just to ensure the right belt would fix 'er up!?!
Thanks for your thoughts, have a great night!

Posted by John Pierson (Member # 6665) on September 08, 2019, 05:34 PM:

Hey There - good news for those who root for the underdogs, the Korvette Projectors of the world: I have, at minimum, interim-ly fixed this unit! I used a hobby syringe to oil up some pulleys (not sure if there was even a hole there, or felt washer) but went in minimally on a couple areas. Then, I used the advice of Nantawat Kittiwarakul and stopped at the local hardware store and got an o-ring the size a step-down from the belt I had. The unit is running! Pretty well, and it's an impressive unit actually. Seems brighter than my Sankyo 2000H! I will let it air out overnight and run some films through it Mon or Tue to see how it performs. Fun! Thanks for everyone's suggestions thus far!

Posted by Nantawat Kittiwarakul (Member # 6050) on September 08, 2019, 08:39 PM:

A replacement o-ring from hardware store + a dab of all-purpose oil = Mr.CureAll. [Big Grin]

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