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Topic: Dangers of Amateur Mechanics

Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 27, 2015 01:07 PM

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I work at an electron accelerator designed to generate high power X-rays for research.

I work with:

High Voltage
High Power
High Voltage with High Power
High Temperature
Low (very, very...low) Temperature
Magnetic Fields

I work near:

Xrays (behind 3 feet of shielding, THANK GOD!)
Vacuum
Cryogenic Nitrogen
Fork lifts
Cranes
Crazed riders on adult trikes (big building...)

-and I drive 32 miles to work!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted March 27, 2015 01:40 PM

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I think a lot of us men and women in industry are exposed to huge potentially hazardous energies or killer chemicals etc. It's just the nature of manufacturing anything in bulk that is used by the masses.

The Secret is knowing how to work safely and protect ourselves, our colleagues and our environment to the best of our ability amongst it all.

If we can all do that throughout our working lives, that is, I feel, our greatest achievement of all our careers.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 27, 2015 02:08 PM

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-first job I ever had that came with a hard hat, steel toed shoes and insulated gloves!

Kind of a shame: Mom always hoped I'd come to work in a suit and tie...

(BAH!)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted March 28, 2015 06:43 PM

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Unfortunately fixing some problems needs specialised skills and even the professionals would sometimes need particular tools that the public don't have, and/or test films. I know from experience that (e.g.) getting a magnetic sound head on an Eiki 16mm projector into the optimum position is so tricky that I'm far from certain if I would ever get it right. There may only be only one or two people in the UK who anyone could confidently hand over their projector to with regard to this. Perhaps we need to sponsor the training of a few apprentices in different countries!

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Adrian Winchester

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted March 28, 2015 07:13 PM

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Why would you need an optimum sound head position for a 16mm magnetic head that never gets used ??????

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted March 30, 2015 07:14 PM

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Not sure why you're assuming I'd never use it - I'd be using it regularly.

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Adrian Winchester

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted March 30, 2015 08:46 PM

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quote:
Unfortunately fixing some problems needs specialised skills and even the professionals would sometimes need particular tools that the public don't have, and/or test films.

My point exactly: We all have limits and this is a pretty hard limit. The key is knowing them and not crossing the line.

I was working on a projector for Doug Meltzer late last year, and even though I knew what was wrong with it, I figured out the only way I could get to where the fix would happen would be to use a fire axe.

(Who knows: if it was my machine I may just have!)

Whatever Eumig magic I needed to get inside I just didn't know.

I buttoned it back up and gave it back. I had met my match and I knew it!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Gary Crawford
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 979
From: Manassas, VA. USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 01, 2015 06:52 AM

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I think...after reading this thread...that I will continue to send machines to Leon for any electronic problems. My dad began a television sales and repair store when he returned from WWII.
I can't count the number of times he was shocked over the years.
He also had to wear his wrist watch on his belt loop of his pants because his watches would become either magnetized over time, or destroyed by his being shocked.

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 01, 2015 10:04 AM

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As Steve correctly points out, you do need the patience of a saint at times as well as a "won't be beaten" attitude.

Whatever problems I have ever encountered that are proving really difficult to solve, I just read up as much as I can for a day or two after, give myself time to rethink the problem through and then tackle it again a few days on.

Each time you attempt a new job, even if you don't fully achieve what you set out to on that day, you are one big step nearer from what you have learned on that occasion. So no experience is ever an entirely wasted one, I find.

The following principles are invaluable I find for dismantling and repairing almost anything.
1/ Document each move in sequence.
2/ Take photographs for each step. (No excuse in this day and age with digital cameras being instant)
3/Have a decent set of hand tools and instrumentation.
4/use or buy if you don't have already, a magnetic tray for all screws and washers etc while you take apart a section.
5/ Bag and label all parts as each sub section is dismantled, then go again with the magnetic tray on the next section.
6/ if you hit a problem you cannot immediately solve, leave it as is and come back to it another day after giving yourself time to think it through.

Oh and always read the service manual wherever possible beforehand and re visit as often as needed and always use the recommended lubricants only in the recommended areas.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 01, 2015 11:28 AM

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I just tore down my ST-1200HD to replace the motor pulley. I have one of those little plastic bins with multiple compartments: all the hardware goes into the bins and as I move onto another step in the teardown I move into a new compartment.

It wasn't very nice of Elmo to use a .275" bore pulley when the standard ones are .250", but they just moved a machinist into the cubicle next door, who I get along with pretty well.

-so I think everything will work out just fine!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 01, 2015 11:47 AM

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The biggest problem I have had in servicing my GS1200 is getting the screws loose that hold the various assemblies onto the chassis. The screws are really torqued tight and Elmo seem to have used very soft screw heads that are very easily rounded by a Phillips head screwdriver. You basically get only one try.

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 01, 2015 11:56 AM

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Yes I've noticed the same Paul on the STs. This doesn't seem to happen much on anything other than Elmos I find.

Steve's idea of using a portable plastic drawer set is a great idea for when it's service time!

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 01, 2015 12:13 PM

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My wife does needlecraft.

One day she found a bigger-better-nicer (newer) bin for her floss.

-next morning I took the trash out and saw this one headed for its doom!

"HOLD-ITT!"

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted April 01, 2015 12:42 PM

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Good work Steve! I hate to see useful kit thrown away as well.
Trouble is, when you are like me, you tend to need two or three houses to keep it all in and unfortunately, I have only the one. [Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

[Big Grin]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted April 01, 2015 07:28 PM

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Paul

As screwdrivers go "photo from the net" this particular one from Snap-On I highly recommend and with a range of magnetic tips will do most jobs. The Snap-On screwdriver I have, is identical to this photo, but is well worn after many years of use in aviation. A product you apply on the screwdriver tip, we also used, was called "Screw Grab" made by Armstrong.

[Smile]

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Paul Adsett
Film God

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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted April 01, 2015 08:44 PM

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Thanks for that tip Graham. I will definately keep a look out for one of those in my 'hardware' travels. The handle says 'Made in the USA' so it should not be difficult to find one.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1006
From: West Midlands United Kingdom
Registered: Aug 2011

posted April 02, 2015 06:45 AM

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This is the one I have too Graham, excellent piece of kit, all the bits fit in the hollow handle, very fine ratchet that can be both ways, and locked, magnetic inner to catch the screws. They do a stubby version of this too, although being "snapon" expect to pay a higher price for this, but you do get a life time guarantee.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted April 03, 2015 04:25 AM

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I remember the Snap-on van turning up at work, both in the motor trade and aviation with all the latest goodies [Cool]

[Cool]

They had a great product range and for our every day use, it was a must to have good quality tools for the job.

I still have all my tools and would never part with any of it.. a lot of history [Smile]

[Smile]

even though all that stuff was expensive in its day, I used to loan it out at times to other mechanics...It was though, a golden rule to always look after, and "return" borrowed tools...never had a problem [Smile]

[Smile]

anyway, most of the time now its all locked away, so I do miss not using the tools, as it was for a long time, part of my daily working life.

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