8mm Forum: Advice requested on an Eumig P8 Automatic.

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Topic: Advice requested on an Eumig P8 Automatic.

Andrew Luke
Junior
Posts: 3
From: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Registered: Sep 2016

posted September 20, 2016 07:55 AM

Hi All,
This is my first post here as I am new to this site and, being honest, new to the wonders of Eumig projectors.

Following my Fathers fairly Massive Stroke, I needed to clear out an old Garage. I came across an ‘Eumig P8 Automatic’ Projector and a box of home movies belonging originally to my Paternal Grandparents.

The receipt, still in the box, prices it as 29 Pounds, 6 Shillings and 6 Pence (On sale from the original £38-10S-0D) and was bought on the First of January 1964. Amazing to think of New Year sales so long ago. And BTW, 1964 wages were somewhere near £16 a week on Average as far as I can find out.

I had vague memories of this projector from my childhood and several of the films will contain images of myself and older sister as babies.

After a minimum of cleaning lenses and replacing the Lamp, I switched it on and to my amazement, it works. Engineering back then was solid. Obviously, after so long, it has ‘issues’ but how the heck would I go about servicing it? The visible Drive bands are Springs and may slip a little but I don’t know about the internal parts. It seems to run a little on the slow side as the speed slider is fully to the right to run at all.

My biggest issue, I think, is the frame advance mechanism. When threaded evenly, either side of the Film Gate, the unit runs for a few frames (correctly Framed) then loses itself so all of the spare film is above the Film Gate. To me it seems that maybe the two small pips on the claw like assembly that moves the frames on are worn but as I have no experience, I throw the idea open.
There doesn’t seem to be a mechanism for adjusting this area.

Can anyone offer any advice? I’d love to show my children these old films that I barely remember watching myself. I really don't want this to be just a novelty stuck on a shelf.

Thank you.
Andy

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 20, 2016 08:34 AM

I assume you close the gate after threading?
The drive from the motor is via a rubber belt which may need renewing. These can be found on eBay,

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Maurice

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Andrew Luke
Junior
Posts: 3
From: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Registered: Sep 2016

posted September 20, 2016 11:14 AM

Yes, gate closed.

Was the comment regarding the rubber belt connected with the issue or just a general servicing suggestion?

When the mechanism is turned manually, by the knob on the rear, the pips barely protrude and feel (to me) quite smooth and possibly worn. Obviously I have nothing to compare it to but I do have an engineering background.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 20, 2016 03:04 PM

It does seem like a problem with the claws (pips) which are not connecting with the film and pulling it down intermittently as they should. They might be broken off or the cam which drives them could in some way be faulty.

There does seem little that I can offer to help. Do you have any recollection of the Eumig being used in your presence at any time in the past?

The rubber drive belt does lose tightness over time and needs renewing. This comment was not intended to be connected with your problem.

The Eumig P8 is often available from many sellers on eBay. You might consider a replacement.

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Maurice

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Andrew Luke
Junior
Posts: 3
From: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Registered: Sep 2016

posted September 21, 2016 02:25 PM

Thanks Maurice,
The last time I recall it being used was 25 years ago... maybe 30.
It might be longer but it scares me to think that far back.
If the alternative is to scrap it, it cant hurt if I try my engineering skills on it and see what I can do.

I found and ordered a belt from ebay as you suggested. Thank you.

Now I have it, I'm longing to watch these old movies.
Andrew.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 22, 2016 02:54 AM

Andrew

You say that the projector may not have been used for thirty years, and was purchased in 1964, over 50 years ago. In this time one assumes it has never been lubricated.

The claw operates from the cam and shuttle, these two items are responsible for the claw's movement sixteen times per second. It is possible that the grease at this point has got quite hard thus preventing correct movement. I suggest you remove all the old grease and re-lubricate.

You will see many oil holes marked with red paint, put a couple of drops of light sewing machine oil at these points.

As regards speed, it's possible that the rubber drive belt has lost its tightness. Your replacement should help here.

Changing the drive belt on the early models of the P8 was very simple, just slipping it over the two pulleys. Later models (and possibly yours) had a still device (a lever under the lamp-house) and this needs to be activated to allow room for the belt to be slipped over the top drive pulley.

I wish you luck.

--------------------
Maurice

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