8mm Forum: NATCO Projector ?

This is topic NATCO Projector ? in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on November 19, 2005, 01:28 PM:

Anyone ever heard of a NATCO 16mm sound projector? I know John Whittle has. [Smile]

I will be picking one up in a couple of days and will probably be refurbishing it and adding it to my collection. [Cool]

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on November 19, 2005, 02:55 PM:

You mean like this one and this one? [Smile]

Beautiful machine, looks pretty darned cool - and correct me if I'm mistaken, but it looks like they designed it to use some of the projection bulb's light for the optical sound pickup, instead of using a separate exciter lamp. Kind of clever. [Smile]

I still can't figure out how they get these left-handed machines to project the correct, non-mirrored image on the screen, though. [Eek!]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on November 19, 2005, 03:35 PM:

Jan, thanks for the links. 64 pounds(ouch#@!). Well, anyway, this one I'm getting is free. Looks like no rear reel arm. Wonder what the reel capacity is? By jove it is a lefty. [Wink]

Posted by John A. Pommon (Member # 292) on November 22, 2005, 02:03 AM:

Wow! the link to the one on eBay is pretty cool looking. Surface-mount hardware & threadup - reminds me of a 16mm Moviola Library Reader. A lefthanded 64 pounder . . . talk about a rare & heavy heavy-duty machine . . . . . it should outlive us all . .

[ November 23, 2005, 02:28 AM: Message edited by: John A. Pommon ]

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on November 23, 2005, 04:20 PM:

Jan, It's simple. You dont get a mirrored image. The film spools are still on the machine with the correct orientation. The film is still coming off the feed spool correctly so the sprocket holes are to the rear of the machine. On a conventional machine the sprocket holes would be on the outside of the machine.
[Smile]

Kev.

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on November 23, 2005, 08:33 PM:

NOW I get it.

I thought the sprocket holes were still facing away from the machine, toward the operator!

Thanks for clearing that up Kevin. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on November 24, 2005, 05:59 PM:

quote:
Anyone ever heard of a NATCO 16mm sound projector?

Yes they do weigh alot and are beautifully made for their time period. They also made a projector for Sears at the same time and you'll occasionally see a "Tower" 16mm sound projector that's a left hand thread.

I once through that it would be great to have one of these opposite a right hand thread so that both machines could sit close together to make divergence less for change-over set-ups.

Sure glad you found them before me, I'm a push over for some of these old machines (bought a Kodak Sound projector last summer that was their first made in 1938 that was a "slot load"--missing the amp but rewired and have it running. Take up is 90 degrees on the front so the take up reel doesn't hang over the table. Closed up it looks like an "art deco skyscraper").

John

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on November 24, 2005, 09:33 PM:

Thanks, John. I'm headed up to see my sis tomorrow(friday). She picked it up in an auction lot and said she thought I might be interested in it. Beautifully made! Great, then I may get lucky and it will be restorable. [Smile]

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on November 25, 2005, 06:30 PM:

I wish I had a sister like that [Cool]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on November 27, 2005, 01:11 PM:

I picked up the NATCO projector and it is visually in very good condition. The power cord is missing. I'll get some photos on as soon as I clean up the disc space on my domain. This is the power cord with the square female plug. The configuration is four sloted holes in each corner and a small round hole in the center. Of course there are four males on the projector that plug into them. [Eek!]

Anyone know where I can find one?

John, it's built like a brick house with lots of shiney chrome metal. There are a few easily acessable oil ports for lubrication. It has a one inch lens in immaculate condition. The model number is 3011. Can't wait to crank this mother up! [Smile]

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on November 27, 2005, 01:55 PM:

quote:
Of course there are four males on the projector that plug into them. Anyone know where I can find one?

Sounds like a Cinch-Jones connector, try some of the electronics places on line for "jones" plugs. These were made in hundreds of combinations of male-female chassis, cable, two, three, four and on up. Very poplular during the "tube age". They are still around and if the shipping kills you from Allied Radio and the like, try Ebay!

John

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on November 27, 2005, 03:12 PM:

Bingo! Thanks, John, Allied has it for $8.97. I'll order one and get started. I knew you would be familiar with this machine. [Wink]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 13, 2006, 12:21 AM:

Okay, here are the pics of the NATCO projector. The internal parts and film path are very clean, but the outside case hardware has rust. I still have to order the power cord. [Smile]

Gee dad, it's a NATCO! [Eek!]

web page
web page
web page
web page
web page

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 442) on January 20, 2006, 10:11 AM:

Dan: Looks like a pair of 6L6's for outputs--that amp probably kicks out the better part of 20 watts. Pretty good for a tube machine.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on January 20, 2006, 05:27 PM:

Dan, Have you fired her up yet [Eek!]

Kev.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on January 20, 2006, 08:35 PM:

Kev, I haven't bought the power cord yet :-( But I'll bet it works.

Jeff, those tubes are definately 6L6G's of Fender amp fame. These two were made by the Standard Company.

I'll report back when I get a power cord. [Smile]

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