8mm Forum: No 16mm for a Month...

This is topic No 16mm for a Month... in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 28, 2019, 02:34 PM:

A month ago I found myself with no fully operating 16mm projectors. I have 5 Elmo 16CLs and all had vital parts either missing or needing repairs. My goal was to get at least 1 running really well with a reliable 2nd and 3rd for backup. I had to order new rollers for a couple of machines in addition to new rear arm pulleys and belts. I finally received the new parts and installed them yesterday. Projectors running great! I'm back in 16mm land. As much as I love 8mm I just don't have but a couple of feature length films in my 8mm collection and I'm a movie junkie [Smile]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on August 28, 2019, 03:57 PM:

Well done Janice. I must admit i wouldnt want to be without my 16s now. [Wink]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on August 28, 2019, 04:26 PM:

Good Work, Janice!

It's nice to come out of a dry spell, especially when you dug the well.

I have to admit, maybe 5 of the last 6 films I have bought are 16mm, but that's mostly because being new to it there's so much I've never had access to before. (Same thing happened when I first went into S8 sound...)

I have a box of electronic parts coming in about a week, one of the results will be a not cobbled-together connection between 16mm and my sound system. (-alligator clips were never meant to be a lifestyle!)

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 28, 2019, 04:47 PM:

Great Janice ! Happy to hear you will have cine evenings again [Smile]

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 28, 2019, 04:48 PM:

quote:
(-alligator clips were never meant to be a lifestyle!)

HaHa!!!! I know what you mean Steve. Cord management has never been one of my strong points...If it's working then I tend to draw a blinds-eye to all the cords. [Roll Eyes]

@ Tom...yes, once into 16mm it's hard to go without. As far as I'm concerned no matter what film format you are watching...it's still FILM and that is what makes it special. [Cool]

@Dominique... I feel complete again. [Smile]

Posted by David Baker (Member # 3259) on August 28, 2019, 08:53 PM:

WOW Janice , that looks just awesome .

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 28, 2019, 11:12 PM:

Thank you Dave. I really love this model channel loader. It makes threading and changing reels a breeze and very easy on film.

I watched Bobby DiNero and Meryl Streep in "Falling in Love (1984)" ... For me it doesn't get better than that [Smile]

[ August 29, 2019, 09:42 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 29, 2019, 11:20 AM:

Janice
How did you manage to get Elmo spares as I understand they are quite difficult to source?
Yes, the 16-CL is a great projector when it's adjusted correctly.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 29, 2019, 11:47 AM:

Maurice...I find the most frequent repairs on the Elmo 16CL are bad rollers (rubber turns to black goo) and some have the old style rear take-up reel arm with the flat belt. The rubber on the flat belt pulley disintegrates making the takeup arm slip. This should be replaced with the newer toothed pulley and a toothed belt. Larry Urbanski http://urbanskifilm.com/supplies.html sells these new parts that are re-manufactured to Elmo specs.

I bought four of my Elmo 16CL projectors off the Goodwill Auction site https://www.shopgoodwill.com/ and one off Ebay. This model 16mm projector has held up very well over the years and with a little TLC I believe can work well for several more years.

[ August 29, 2019, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 29, 2019, 02:51 PM:

Janice
That's good news!
I have two 16-CL and both have had their rollers replaced, and also the required mods to the take-up system.
Both projectors, I believe, attended to by a well-known Elmo man in this country. [Smile]

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on September 01, 2019, 11:24 AM:

Nice work Janice! I also replaced the rollers on both of my Elmo 16CLs with OEM sets from Larry, and the rear arm belt assembly on one. I also have a parts machine so if you ever need anything I may be able to help [Smile]

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on September 01, 2019, 07:08 PM:

Thanks Joe...These are great projectors and deserve the best quality parts available. Glad to hear your Elmos are running well. Enjoy!

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on September 20, 2019, 06:15 PM:

Janice, I've been offered two CLs for the amazing price of FREE. But they've not been run for about 15 years, and I'm sure there's LOTS of work to be done on them. I might be in touch later this year when I start the process for some hand holding!

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on September 20, 2019, 06:47 PM:

I'm here to hold your hand Bill [Smile]

I'm definitely not as experienced with 16mm machines as I am with 8mm's...but I have done my share of repairs on my Elmo 16CLs and can help with the basics. You probably will have to put a few $$ into bringing them back into running condition, but I find these Elmos are great performers and very reliable. Having 2 machines running gives you the advantage of a backup. I have 1 + 4 backups ..and yes that's backup over-kill, but then I'm a bit paranoid. As a former Girl Scout...I like being prepared. [Smile]

Although as you can see from this thread even with 5 projectors I got left with none working for about a month. It can happen.

My 4 Backups (truthfully only 2 are fully restored backups, the third runs fine, but has deteriorating rollers, and the forth also runs fine... but needs rollers. I'm saving up to get new rollers for both)

[ September 21, 2019, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

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