Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 17, 2018 10:47 AM
Hello all. I have just started to collect 8mm and 16mm ptojectors, and have a problem with my Bell and Howell 2580
It actually plays and sounds fine, but after a few seconds, the film starts bunching up usually from just below the gate.
Both the top feed wheel and the bottom one (the ones with the teeth one) are connected to the same gear inside so I dont see how one could possibly move faster than the other. Yet for some reason it bunches up between the gate and the wheels where it passes the sound head.
It Usually bunches up in the section ive marked in RED, if not the section in GREEN. (yes I have the covers closed when trying)
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 17, 2018 10:26 PM
no its the sprocket gear behind that big silver gear that the worm gear turns. You can maybe see it just sticking out at the bottom
Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012
posted January 18, 2018 02:01 AM
The problem is that you need special tools to do this job. Richard does sell them I believe, but they are not cheap and the sprocket wheel is not cheap either. Probably best to have someone like Richard, who knows what they are doing, to do the repair for you.
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted January 18, 2018 03:03 AM
The Bell & Howell slot loaders are useful projectors, but the sprockets are not in line, hence the small extra sprocket which after all these years does give trouble by cracking.
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted January 18, 2018 10:15 AM
Matt Before you make any decision I suggest you give a thorough check of the main worm gear. If the little gear is cracked it is quite possible that the worm is also about to give trouble. Changing a worm is not as easy as it may look. Be warned.
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 18, 2018 02:47 PM
Richard has helped me alot and im almost there. Just need to pull off the sprocket and put the new one on. The worm gear looks to be a good shape so I might be able to get this working fully for just the price of a sprocket which would be wonderful!
It would have been a shame to fail on this project as it works great in all other respects.
The dried oil/grease on all the gears bothers me though. I'll try to clean all that up as much as possible before reassembly.
I appreciate all the input, hopefully it'll back in action soon!
Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012
posted January 19, 2018 02:22 AM
Well done Matt Did you manage it without special tools or are they more readily available in the USA?. Let us know the outcome when you've re assembled it and got it up and running.
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 19, 2018 01:47 PM
It was actually quite easy with just screwdrivers and allen wrenches. The two sides come off this model making the bolts for the transformer and motor easy to access. The worm gear looks a nastier job, I'll deal with that if/when
I have ordered a new one from Richard, hoping it works out then I'll have a very nice projector which actually cost me $4 from Goodwill
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 22, 2018 05:25 PM
Got the part, thanks Richard that was fast.
I'm guessing I need to take off that silver piece to allow the new sprocket to fit. Its got allen screws but I have nothing that small. I just went out and bought a whole set and none of them are the right size Any clue as the exact size ?
Seems to be between 1.5 and 2.0 or 5/64 and 1/16th
[ January 22, 2018, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: Matt Darr ]
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
posted January 23, 2018 06:11 AM
Matt Could it be a Torx screw? I see that T6 is 1.70mm, and T7 is 1.99mm. Some projectors did use Torx screws, and I think that included Bell & Howell.
Posts: 424
From: Flint Mi 48506
Registered: Dec 2007
posted January 23, 2018 08:57 AM
Greetings Matt You should have a tool supply company near you Take the new gear to them and get the right size of Allen wrench ( not any large stores like Home depot) I don't recall the size But i do have them in stock for $15.00 includes shipping Much cheaper if you can get one yourself Under $2.00 RC
-------------------- RC’s Classic Collection 16 mm Parts & Service Elmo, Eiki, Bell & Howell + http://www.rcsclassic16mm.com/
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 23, 2018 09:56 AM
I dont think its Torx but Ill find a magnifier and check.
The screw with the gear you provided Richard, is sightly different, I have a wrench for that, seems to be 1.5 I'll try the 1.7 torx though, a 1.75 Allen doesnt seem to exist so you might be right. Thanks
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 23, 2018 03:15 PM
cant really tell, i'll try the torx and if that doesnt work I'll attempt to get a drill bit on it or Dremmel. Failing that ill cut the middle out of this $35 new sprocket <gulp>
Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009
posted January 23, 2018 04:08 PM
Bell & Howell used Bristol screws on some of their projectors. I think one of my JANs had them. Larry sells them and I think Amazon has them also.
Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012
posted January 23, 2018 04:25 PM
Barry as I remember you are correct. That is what I was referring to when I mentioned 'special tools'. Better to use the correct tools, I would suggest, rather than drilling it out and maybe causing further problems.
Matt Darr
Junior Posts: 26
From: Little Rock, AR, USA
Registered: Jan 2018
posted January 23, 2018 08:02 PM
tough to get a good picture of it Might just be a stripped hex I think im gonna Dremel slots in them then use a flat head screwdriver
[ January 23, 2018, 11:44 PM: Message edited by: Matt Darr ]