8mm Forum: Beaulieu 708el stereo for sale on ebay U.K

This is topic Beaulieu 708el stereo for sale on ebay U.K in forum 8mm equipment for sale/trade at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=003543

Posted by Russ Green (Member # 6997) on October 02, 2019, 10:08 AM:

Hi just seen this listed on e-bay U.K eBay item number:254376056633

Not mine alas but thought i'd mention it as I know they're quite rare and someone may be interested in it.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 02, 2019, 02:50 PM:

The seller says "projectors are not my specialist field" but he wants £995 as a Buy It Now.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-8-Film-projector-Beaulieu-708-EL-Capstan-Drive-Stereo/254376056633?hash=item3b39fe9739:g:cc0AAOSwgeZdk3Wb

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 02, 2019, 02:57 PM:

Not his field!! Is that a way of playing vauge in case of problems i wonder

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on October 02, 2019, 04:27 PM:

Well it looks nice, but they can be full of odd issues when you buy them, re Steves on here buy a few years ago.

Needed quite a lot of expensive parts etc

Looks very good though, but a lot of cash.

Best Mark.

Posted by David Roberts (Member # 197) on October 03, 2019, 02:33 AM:

His feedback is 100% and it has a 2 week return.
Its not far from me either!
Might have been tempted but not at that price.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 03, 2019, 02:40 AM:

I have two Beaulieu 708ELs, a capstan drive double track, and a stereo. Both had spool spindle problems when received. As members know they are designed to take spools with a capacity of 2200ft, in order they do not "wobble" when running the spools are a very tight fit on their spindles.

Some spools are too tight a fit and owners may not be aware and try to force them on. The spools are kept on by three small plastic retainers, shaped to spring down when the spool enters, and then spring up when it's in position.

They are a very poor design, and over the years one or more of the retainers snaps off. This had happened to mine. Van Eck supply replacements, but at a price.

Beaulieu obviously were aware of the problem, and when later models were introduced they had turn-over keys for spool retention. When Wittner bought up all the Beaulieu spares these replacements soon sold out.

My recommendation to anyone buying an expensive Beaulieu 708 is to see it first before purchase.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on October 07, 2019, 05:54 AM:

Wittner still appear to have spares of the plastic spool holders;

https://www.wittnercinetec.com/epages/WittnerCinetec-Super8-16mm-Film.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/WittnerCinetec-Super8-16mm-Film/Products/B316294

These are original parts and use a ball bearing assembly. Expensive though.

I see Van Eck now offer two variations, one with a brass bearing;

https://shop.van-eck.net/film-projector-parts/p-1a/PP-0012.html?_globalsearch=%2Ffilm-projector-parts%2Fp-1a%2F

I have one of these and think the price is very reasonable, although I have never fitted it. Bought it as a spare.

I see they now also offer a ball bearing version;

https://shop.van-eck.net/film-projector-parts/p-1a/PP-0235.html?_globalsearch=%2Ffilm-projector-parts%2Fp-1a%2F

I think the cost for this part is still very reasonable indeed.

One thing to notice though, is that despite Van Eck's valiant efforts, the back of this part relies upon pushing against a washer (on later Beaulieu versions a leather washer).

This is a poor design by Beaulieu, although the washer can be replaced, but anything other than a very smooth finish will wear away at that washer...

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 07, 2019, 06:04 AM:

Rob
Three supplies but none featuring the later version with the turn-key fixing. Most regrettable.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on October 07, 2019, 06:11 AM:

Yes, indeed a shame Maurice.

I do love Beaulieu design. That said, it is as though they set out to overcome all of the common problems with super 8, came up with a beautifully engineered machine...and then they realised they needed a feed and take-up assembly, so they gave those parts to Fred the Janitor to knock up a design...

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on October 11, 2019, 04:15 PM:

Mr Roy Beaulieu sadly is no longer with us but look at those muscles he had lifting those damn heavy projectors

Mister Elmo however is alive and well in his rest home in Japan full of beans 😷or is that rice working on his latest project.

Posted by Oliver F. R. Feld (Member # 1911) on October 12, 2019, 05:27 AM:

Yes, indeed: the plastic reel holders are kind of a desaster,
but the Beaulieu 708 is a perfect machine.
Great design, great technology, steady picture and booming sound;
I don’t wanna miss it!

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on October 12, 2019, 01:32 PM:

Just a tougth for Marcel Beaulieu

https://www.transfert-films-dvd.com/marcel-beaulieu/ [Wink]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on October 12, 2019, 02:51 PM:

Grahame Newnham's website says that Marcel Beaulieu was an ex Pathe engineer, and died in 1986.

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on October 12, 2019, 07:28 PM:

Marcel Beaulieu worked indeed for Continsouza who manufactured several cameras for Pathé (including the Pathé Baby one), Continsouza was Pathé's main shareholder. He also worked for Gaumont (on the first 35 mm sound projectors). During the war, he designed his first own camera (he designed several models before) and it was a success when he manufactured it in 1947 (for the ETM company). He started to work for himself in 1951. Marcel Beaulieu died in 1985 (but his son was the general manager since 1978). Beaulieu closed in 1983 but was took over the next year and survived during 10 more years.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 15, 2019, 06:38 PM:

Gawd Mike, that's just funnier than ell! [Big Grin]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 16, 2019, 01:15 AM:

As for this beaulie projector, i would love to own this model to go with my own collection but for me i feel they are a little to technical and if they go wrong and you can sort it yourself your in trouble.I have seen the prices wittners are asking and i think its a joke. £250 for the rubber sound drum!!!

[ October 16, 2019, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: Douglas Meltzer ]

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on October 16, 2019, 10:05 AM:

I've deleted a few off topic posts.

Since this is really a sales thread, it might be more useful to continue further Beaulieu 708 discussion with a new topic in the 8mm Forum section.

Doug

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2