8mm Forum: The Bauer U4

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Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on November 28, 2011, 11:49 AM:

Well folks I am getting there, this projector is heavy, very heavy. After dismantle it still took four of us and a lot of huff and puff to get it down the narrow stairs. sliding it on its back with ropes etc. It says a lot for the folk that took it up those stairs long ago, anyway here are some photos.

used some old aircraft control cables for the lift "no stretch and very strong"

The box sitting at the front of the lamphouse is a Altivar 31 variable speed drive that we used when interlocking the simplex. This will be handy when using the 6000ft reels as it can be programmed for a slow "delay" start before getting up to full speed.

While I had plenty of access new mirrors were fitted, the 45 degree one is of a later type with a split glass, It would be fair to say that this type of lamphouse is not as efficient as other types.

back together..still to refit a couple of large transformers plus all the wiring. still a lot to do yet before its running but will get there [Smile]

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on November 28, 2011, 12:11 PM:

Graham, are you taking this projector to your own home....?? [Eek!]

If not, what are they going to do with it after the cinema now becomes fully digital?

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on November 28, 2011, 12:37 PM:

Hi Winbert
The projector will be set up properly in the back of the garage, thats where it is sitting at the moment in those photos. Regarding digital I have some 35mm films including a certain " ET go home"..movie that will run through the projector one day. I intend to get some old screen material, a large piece and hang it between the house and the trees, so the Bauer will be projecting out of the garage. [Cool]

pity we didn't back onto a large field we could have set up a drive in...food for thought.

Graham. [Smile]

PS. Just to be able to run the projector again every so often will be a thrill. I just didn't want it to land up as scrap and thats what would have happend had it stayed at the cinema.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on November 28, 2011, 03:43 PM:

My curiosity, did you pay for this projector or .... [Razz]

Anyway, don't you think with the original bulb it will be too bright considering the throw distance in your back yard will be very short.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on November 28, 2011, 07:55 PM:

The projector and spares were free, regarding the light output, yes it would be to bright so I am looking at various lamp options, one is to fit lower wattage Xenon lamp however will see. I better get another job first before I get to carried away with it all.

Graham.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on November 28, 2011, 08:11 PM:

Graham

I wouldn't change the lighting.....you can point it up to the sky like the "Bat Signal"! Then we can all watch it. [Roll Eyes]

Pat

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on November 28, 2011, 08:41 PM:

Graham,

Congratulations!! From the posts about the cinema closing, to the possibility of you saving the Bauer, this is just a fine outcome.

That lovely machine is where it needs to be now [Smile]

When you get everything rolling, please post some pics of it in action.

Claus.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on November 29, 2011, 01:51 PM:

Thanks Claus and Pat

I certainly will [Smile]

Graham.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on December 01, 2011, 11:00 PM:

Spent the day sorting out the wiring etc

now...which wire does what [Eek!]

after fitting a couple of transformers I made up a temporary mains lead, switched the old Bauer on and "Bingo" she kicked into life, motor started, variable speed worked well and away she went. Pulled the pin for the turret to rotate that worked as it should with the change of aperture plate. Pressed the show button dowser opened pressed the Douse button...closed. All the relays and solenoids working great, red LED and pre-amp came to life.

running without film...that will come later.

Still a lot to do "lamp and sound wise" but its getting there.

Very happy.

Graham.

PS. One last photo for this now, I mounted the variable speed drive onto the wall cleaned things up a little bit ready for the next stage.

[ December 02, 2011, 02:13 AM: Message edited by: Graham Ritchie ]

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on December 02, 2011, 02:36 AM:

very good Graham, I will have to come across and have a look some day and you can run a reel!
[Big Grin]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on December 02, 2011, 11:58 AM:

Your welcome Pat and will be in touch, I am surprised the projector went so well as my son used his trailer to get it here and drove a bit to fast for me.. bounce, bounce, [Eek!]

all the way across town, lucky it got here.

Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 06, 2012, 12:55 PM:

Made a small projection area for it and got some wood from my old work they were going to throw out. Made a new bench from it and mounted the re-winders a must for putting film onto 6000ft reels. When the place closed I put in a very low bid for a lot of stuff included are the Dolby Digital reader, processor, ultra stereo etc that will soon go to the old 1920s Ernemann. I am looking forward to make a 80 year old projector go Digital.

Anyway last night was the first test run of the Bauer. I decided to use its 1600watt Xenon lamp which is still new but on a low transformer tapping of 50amps which is the bottom of the running range of the lamp. The total current draw of the projector is now around 14amps running so I rewired some of the garage wiring and fitted a 20amp CB.

Everything ran well last night the throw was 16 feet onto an old screen the picture width six and a half feet for a flat print. The scary part last night was an after shock just after striking the Xenon on the projector making it move while I was threading. I intend to use a much larger screen outside so thats my ultimate aim however very happy so far.

I was surprised I can focus down to such a short throw, same goes for Scope. The image here is a flat add on front of the movie. Still a lot of light comimg in the garage at this point. When I left the cinema they gave me the OK to take one of the old screens, thats it hanging "rolled up" on the rafters soon hopefully outside.

screen shots

I fitted extra rollers for using the 6000ft reels and changed things a bit. Its been interesting so far and still more work to do. The aperture plate needs sorting out so thats next. getting a large outdoor screen up is not far away, well that the progress so far. [Smile]

Graham.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on January 06, 2012, 02:44 PM:

Graham,

Beautiful work, truly! [Smile]

What about sound? Are you planning on full surround? Stereo?

Claus.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 06, 2012, 04:37 PM:

Thanks Claus

At the moment the sound is being fed into an old stereo amp and then of to a couple of speakers just left and right.

It sounds ok, however having second thoughts about the Ernemann and using the processor etc for the Bauer instead. With that lot installed in the Bauer all I would need is a multi channel input amp and that would do the trick for full Dolby Digital.

I did fancy the challange of making the Ernemann digital though.

I made a bit of a rack for the DA20 Processor, Monitor and the Ultra Stereo unit for the Ernemann this week adding the digital reader later on. The Yamaha amp does have a multi channel input which I need to get things going....will have to think which way to go here [Roll Eyes]

last night.

Ideal... would be to have two processors etc etc [Roll Eyes]

Graham.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on January 06, 2012, 04:46 PM:

Graham

What a great sight! I love looking at your pics. Great work mate! Keep posting pics.

Pat [Smile]

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on January 06, 2012, 05:59 PM:

Well it looks like things are coming along nicely! I like what you did making a "booth" for the projector. Keep up the good work Graham!

That is really awesome that you saved this machine.

Bill [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 07, 2012, 02:44 AM:

Thanks Pat and Bill

I hope to post some more photos when I have the larger outdoor screen up and running. Today I made up my old copy of "Dances With Wolves" onto larger reels and look forward to screening this film in particular on that outdoor screen as it really suits the big picture.

Regards Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on January 07, 2012, 05:33 AM:

Graham

Why don't you make a video and post it on youtube? Show the projector running and the screen etc.

Pat [Big Grin]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 07, 2012, 03:58 PM:

Good idea Pat

I do have a video camera but have never used it for that purpose, will see whats involved. I am still keen to fit the Digital reader just below the spool box on the Ernemann just to prove that a projector built during the 1920s can be right up there with the latest home VP in picture and sound. [Cool]

The challange though is to fit this reader

to that

Could be interesting.

Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 29, 2012, 07:51 PM:

Gave the old cinema a visit last week and came away with a window complete with frame for the projector...and this.

after cleaning the commutator and brushes and putting it all together....da...da..

...the platter [Roll Eyes]

well, it was going to get thrown out.
My wife got home and said whats that?..I said its the platter, she said I know that but what is it doing here? I said it was free and might come in handy. [Roll Eyes]

My son turned up yesterday and gave me that strange look, [Roll Eyes]

even our X part time projectionist payed us a visit last friday and went wow. [Eek!]

Do you think I am nuts? or is it an age thing.

Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on January 29, 2012, 09:45 PM:

Graham, that looks great! I can see that your old job meant a lot to you. I think setting everything up like you have done is awesome! You should have a get together with your old co-workers and have a screening...start a film club!

Bill [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 30, 2012, 01:56 AM:

Thanks Bill
When the place closed I could see a lot of it was heading for the scrap heap. I just didn't want that to happen, as it seemed such a waste. Even though most of it is old, it was and still is very reliable. With more cinemas making the move to digital it might be only a matter of time where 35mm will only be seen either in a museum or in someone garage. I hope I am wrong, but the change to digital is moving fast and once 35mm projection equipment is gone that will be it. The first time I went to that particular cinema was back in 1995 and the film was Waterworld on that very Bauer, so the projector and platter has lasted really well and done a great job.

I will be pleased to thread it up every so often and give it a run and will ask the local schools if they are interested in a visit..splice a bit of film, run a short cartoon that kind of thing. I will catch up with staff in the future when I have the larger outside screen up. I also plan to use the platter to run film through the wall and with a series of rollers get the film there and back to the old 1920s Ernemann projector. That should be good. [Smile]

The thing at the moment is to find out where we stand at getting the house fixed "or not" from the earthquake damage. At the moment no one has the answers they have "gone quiet" so will see what the future brings.

Graham.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on January 30, 2012, 03:15 AM:

That is a thing of beauty. I am enjoying all your pics. Keep them coming.

Pat [Eek!]

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on January 30, 2012, 11:27 AM:

Wow!

You did go "all the way" with a platter set-up; terrific that it all fits in there.

Heck, with this set-up, you can start your own film club.

Looking forward to more pics... [Smile]

Claus.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on February 05, 2012, 02:48 PM:

Did a bit of a trial run the other day with 2000ft test reel using the platter around 25 feet away from the Ernemann. Lucky I was allowed to take a number of rollers like the platter from the cinema so I thought with the stuff I have to give it a go with the Ernemann . It took a while to arrange the rollers and cut a hole in the wall, make up an extra long leader etc. Anyway they say the proof of the pudding is trying it so I did, and it worked fine. I am sure its the first time this 1920s projector has ever had film come and go using a platter. The projector motor kicks of fast and there is a very slight pause for the platter do its thing with no initial jerking of the film. It looks like I will be able to run full features through the Ernemann as well.

The film on the left is under tension returning to the platter, as it was going up hill I reversed the pully and keeper to keep good contact between the film and the pully itself.

after going round the corner it meets up with the projector. The original spool boxes remain the same just the pully arrangement to make it work.

Back to the "Bauer" and a bit job hunting and fishing next week [Smile]

I must add that the owners of the cinema have been very good giving access and the ok to take so much stuff, even had the mall security give me a hand to load the trailer the other week [Cool]

Graham.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on February 05, 2012, 05:21 PM:

Great news and pics Graham. If you need more room, can you thread the film from the house next door? Keep them pics coming and don't forget the video documentary! [Eek!]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 22, 2012, 04:10 PM:

I am still thinking of a video clip later on when the larger screen is up. Yesterday was the first time I had run a full feature plus trailers using its platter. It ran as always really well but it felt a bit strange to see this 35mm equipment running and thinking it really should be in a cinema, seems a shame. It might be old but there is really nothing wrong with it and could have continued in cinema use for many years to come. As far as the future I would like to open things up a bit more including our home cinema for more use...any ideas ?

Anyway here are some more photos taken yesterday of its first platter run since the cinema closed back in November. It was mid-afternoon so there was still a lot of light in the garage. I still have a bit of work to do on the aperture plate.

For anyone thinking of using a 35mm Scope lens for Super8, you can use one, although the adjustment is of the marked scale you can still adjust it down and it works fine. The distance in this case is about 16 to 17 feet.

I managed to get the Ultra Stereo unit and a Monitor from the cinema to improve the sound side. Later when I am rich I will sort it out a lot better, but it will do for the time being. Wiring the Ultra Stereo at the back "fader" and switching to remote allows an external main volume control makes it a lot easier to use and smooth control over the volune levels.

The original control box that was at the back of the cinema and for a few dollars I replaced the volume control pot and fitted a larger knob.

one quick screen shot just before the feature of the Scope trl Super8.

The movie itself.

There was a lot of light coming into the garage and onto the screen at the time those screen shots were taken

Graham.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on March 22, 2012, 05:24 PM:

Graham

Great to see more pics! The screen look great even with the extra light coming in. Just think of the positive side of this. You saved that equipment from God knows what, you have it to use anytime you want, it didn't cost you any money to get it and you have your own cinema. A lot of film buffs would love to be where you are right now(except for location). I still want to see a video of this. You should make a documentary and try to sell it to TV. " Death Of A Cinema : The Graham Ritchie Story". What do you think of the title?

Pat [Wink]

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on March 22, 2012, 07:22 PM:

Graham...I admire your perserverance in setting up this awesome home cinema. I think that you should find some local film buffs and start a film club. You can get together at your place and talk film and hang out and enjoy top notch screenings. I also like Pat's idea. And even if you make the video for your own enjoyment it would be a nice document of what you have done.

Nice work Graham!

Bill [Big Grin]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 22, 2012, 08:26 PM:

Thanks for those ideas, years ago we used to put on shows for retirement homes who would arrive in a mini-bus in the early afternoon and after the movie have a cup of tea and Yvonne home made scones, which I think was a highlight of the afternoon outing. The last count back then was around 400 scones, we used to charge $4 each, not for the movies, but to cover costs like heating etc. I like the idea of a film club as well so will look into it as well.

Pat, I like the title, it sounds good [Smile]

our young side kick and myself did make a dvd of the place a while ago and tried to make it as interesting as possible. It was a fun project complete with voice over which was added later. I did make a point of including the girls downstairs and they were very good at participating in it.

At the moment I have some video taken when the place closed down and hope to add more when the building comes down. I can edit down everything taken, for a before and after, including some Super8 film which is still to get developed including the new home of the Bauer.

Pity our dvd was not on HD, but we both have a copy each and its something to look back on in years to come [Smile]

taken from the dvd

Lamp change.

getting the lamp and mirror aligned after fitting the new Xenon.

Graham. [Smile]

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