8mm Forum: Searching for Elmo repair in Columbus, OH

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Topic: Searching for Elmo repair in Columbus, OH

David Duke
Junior
Posts: 2
From: Columbus, OH, USA
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 29, 2015 04:36 PM

Hi everyone:

I recently purchased a nice Elmo ST-1200, and it seems to work fine EXCEPT it is having some auto-threading issues (it's eating the film at the point where the film makes that first turn down into the film gate).

Do you know of anyone in the Columbus, OH, area who can service the projector?

Thanks!
David

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Jim Schrader
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1628
From: Savage, MN, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 29, 2015 05:25 PM

HI DAVID LEON MIGHT BE YOUR MAN GIVE HIM A TRY.

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jim schrader
"Let's see “do I have that title already?"

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 29, 2015 05:44 PM

Hey Dave,

I have to ask this:

-did you trim the leader with the built-in cutter?

(Beats having Leon ask you!)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted January 29, 2015 05:47 PM

David, welcome to the forum! Jim has provided you with a reputable repair man within your area, but have you checked the basics on your machine.
For example; does the green threading shoe at the first sprocket lock into place as it should? Secondly,does it release as it should by pressing the black button at the rear take up spool position OR by lifting or pressing the green exit guide close to the rear take up spool? Do you have the instruction manual for the projector etc etc?

Also, Steve's point is really valid on these machines. They really only like curved trimmed film using an Elmo cutter and of course, Super 8mm film only.

I have already written the instruction manual that goes out on my death bed with my Beaulieu. Just wish the previous owner had written all of his learnings down for me!
Once you get familiar with a machine to an intimate level of understanding, almost certainly, it will behave in the manner you expect 9 times out of 10. The same philosophy applies to all kinds of machinery, whether it be a car, a projector or a Casmatic MW42 Wrapper! Lol.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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David Duke
Junior
Posts: 2
From: Columbus, OH, USA
Registered: Jan 2015

posted January 29, 2015 06:10 PM

Hi, thank you all for your help.

Yes, the film is trimmed using the provided trimmer. The green shoe goes down but does not release properly, but I've figured out a way to "pop" it back into position once I am able to get a film to go through all threading channels. The release button beneath the take-up reel does not seem to be connected.

Yes, I'm using super 8mm film :-)

Once I get a film threaded it projects fine (sound is good, too), but it take four or five attempts (and lots of chewed up leader) before I can get that to happens.

Thanks!
D

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted January 29, 2015 06:23 PM

Ok Dave, that answers a lot as clearly you are doing all you can to get your film threaded correctly.

All I will suggest at this stage is to photograph it using a basic digital camera with video facility as they all have nowadays,then someone on here who has used these machines on and off for donkeys years will be able to tell you what's going wrong if you post them the video by e mail.

They ( or me) will slow the video right down to slow motion speed and no doubt all will become apparent if you film every stage well for diagnosing.

If this fails, then send it to an expert like Leon.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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frank arnstein
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 534
From: Gold Coast. Australia
Registered: Jan 2005

posted January 29, 2015 11:05 PM

Hi David,

I suggest you check the fuses. One of them is for the release of the top shoe which is electrically activated by a solenoid.

dogtor frankarnstein [Smile]

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At Projector Heaven the Focus is always on Detail.

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[o:/o]<|=- dogtor@projectorheaven.com.au
//``\\
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Vincent Zabbia
Master Film Handler

Posts: 372
From: Montrose, NY
Registered: Feb 2011

posted January 30, 2015 07:24 AM

If your film has the white leader issued by Kodak.. Replace it.
Elmo's don't like that thin white leader.

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Vincent Zabbia

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John Capazzo
Master Film Handler

Posts: 421
From: Hillside, NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted February 12, 2015 09:04 PM

Mr. Zabbia is correct. I was about to post the same thing. Some leaders are too thick and at the time, the machines created 40 years ago didn't have enough room behind the spring attachment behind the lens assembly and the aperture; or even when it gets to the sound and lower sprocket area.

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"the image is about 30 feet ahead of us."

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted February 13, 2015 06:46 AM

cant say I have ever encountered that problem and we have five of these Elmos over the years [Confused]

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 13, 2015 09:32 AM

It could happen if either the green threading shoe is not going completely down into position when the threading position on the switch is turned or it isn't locking into position by the solenoid.

Also if the small green guidance piece (the part that I am convinced causes marks to the film in normal projection mode as the film slaps back and forth into it just after the top loop) is missing then this would or could cause the end of the film to bunch at the gate.

It does sound to me though, more of a top threading shoe issue than anything else.

Some photographs would be useful if you can post any just as the film begins to crumple if you can instantly take one please?

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1006
From: West Midlands United Kingdom
Registered: Aug 2011

posted February 13, 2015 10:56 AM

On the odd occasion the leader can be curled upward and when threaded into the green guide, even with the auto thread pushed down it will miss the spring loaded pressure plate over the film gate, and end up very badly folded and mangled in the mechanism. I try and use a blunted straight edge to curl the leader the opposite way, the same way as you curl ribbon. It will straighten enough to get past the top mech on the Elmo, if I'm in any doubt about a film not threading, I pull down the side cover and watch it threading.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2015 03:43 PM

Unlike my Eumig 938, which threads flawlessy every time, I have never felt so confident about the auto threading capability of the GS1200 that I can afford not to open the cover and visually check it. Many times I have run films thinking everything was fine, only to find the film configured into an extra large, or extra small, loop above or below the gate, and contacting something it should'nt, with resulting scratches.

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 13, 2015 06:58 PM

Thats the one Paul. Never had a GS but the path is way too similar to thr rest of the Elmo family for my liking. Considering all the excellent advancements ade on these fine machines, they appeared to overlook the one most needed

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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