8mm Forum: Beaulieu end of spares availability

»	8mm Forum » 8mm Forum » Beaulieu end of spares availability (Page 1)

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Author

Topic: Beaulieu end of spares availability

Dominique De Bast
Film God

Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013

posted September 11, 2016 06:06 PM

It seems that Wittner will no longer provide Beaulieu spares. They posted, the 21st August, a warning message (in German) on their site. It may be our last chance to buy original spares for a limited time.

--------------------
Dominique

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 11, 2016 11:41 PM

Not great news there Dominique for all of us Beaulieu users and lovers. Perhaps a time then to get the cheque book out for them for one last time!

It also makes you wonder what else they will do with their stock inventory?

Whenever I've enquired regarding certain bits and pieces, it appears they have relatively speaking, huge stock levels of certain parts.

Oh well, a few bits and Bob's later, hopefully I will be ok for my lifetime in this hobby and that was only ever the plan from the off, this time around in the hobby.
At the time, I said to myself find a machine that will support me for the next 20 years. I've now had around 5 of those years so just need to make it last for 15 more! 😊😊

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

| IP: Logged

Dominique De Bast
Film God

Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013

posted September 12, 2016 12:34 AM

They don't say what will happen to the spares but since they will not keep them and they say on their site that they have no hope someone will buy the all stock, I can only imagine it will be destroyed. We can only hope they will keep at least a fraction of their treasure.

--------------------
Dominique

| IP: Logged

Phil Murat
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 671
From: Villeneuve St Georges, France
Registered: Dec 2015

posted September 12, 2016 02:08 AM

Hello,

Spare Parts prices are so high (Ex: Claw Assy for 595 Eur), I assume some of them are never sold.
So, it's a common strategy to declare stock almost depleted just to get a boost effect for the sales......

I stay confident with that....

If you need a CS140 (1 month delivery average, 5,41 USD instead of 40 Euros) :

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CS140/32602729344.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.49.D3Czd4&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_2_10057_10056_10065_10068_10055_10054_10069_1

| IP: Logged

Kevin Clark
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 978
From: Bapchild, Kent, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted September 12, 2016 03:58 AM

Hello Dominique

I very much doubt Wittners would dump their spares, this situation just seems like sales bravado to me and a way to sell off Beaulieu parts more quickly despite the extortionate pricing.

I have not purchased anything from Wittners for some time because of their pricing policy which really is a hobby killer for many. On one hand they do a great job by making film accessories and spares available under one roof, but then spoil it by holding us to ransom with over inflated prices.

For future spares I am sure Edwin at Van Eck will be able to manufacture guides and gears using 3d printing, most chips and electronic components can be found via RS, Maplins, Ebay etc. and many later Norisound projectors used the same motors as Beaulieu 708EL machines so search Ebay and grab a cheap Noris machine for your spare motor rather than paying OTT to Wittners.

Drive belts can be bought for pennies rather than pounds for all projectors (you need to know the correct belt size you want though).

I used three Beaulieu 708EL projectors regularly over 10 years and the only spares I ever needed were belts and lamps so (sorry Andrew) perhaps it is now time to put the chequebook away and look elsewhere for realistically priced alternative spares options.

Kevin

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 12, 2016 07:24 AM

I'd like to agree with you there Kevin wholeheartedly.

The things that are unique to Wittners are the items i will be concentrating my efforts on obtaining sufficient for the foreseeable.

There are items which you simply cannot find elsewhere that are considered to be consumable spare part items.

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

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted September 12, 2016 11:21 AM

The price's are ridiculous to say the least, apart from the belts, electronics to some degree, and the sound heads, I'd have go at making the rest. 600 euro's for a claw assembly ???. I would file the end off and replace with ceramic material and glue in place. They're really taking the P**** aren't they. Odd thing is though, they have just introduced the rear cover for this machine, it does look like a bit reverse psychology though, bloody crafty.

| IP: Logged

Dominique De Bast
Film God

Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013

posted September 12, 2016 12:50 PM

Prices are indeed high. UK Cine market has always had lower prices than on the continent and Germany is certainly not reputed for cheap items. Add to that the fact that Beaulieu was a kind of luxury make, the fact that we're used to buy second hand, often as bargains and you start to understand why it may look outrageousely overpriced to some cine enthousiasts. I have no recent example of a cine business saying that they would stop producing something just to boost the sales, so even if I hope it is just a trick, I fear the announcement is real :-(

--------------------
Dominique

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 12, 2016 03:39 PM

It's things like the Capstan Motor and internal toothed belts that will be difficult to obtain once this opportunity has gone.

I agree Edwin could copy 3D parts like the Cam, guide pack and reel holders, but the steel precision ground pressure plate, the parts mentioned above as well as shutter parts etc, would be difficult to say the least, to locate beyond the end of the Wittners one stop shop convenience we have currently still.

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

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted September 12, 2016 05:28 PM

If like you say Dom, the message was in German only, surely if this is true, then there only in German message is giving them alone an unfair advantage on purchasing vital parts before they're all gone.

[ September 12, 2016, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: Paul Browning ]

| IP: Logged

Dominique De Bast
Film God

Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013

posted September 12, 2016 05:44 PM

Only the last sentence is in English "Last Orders Please!" (this is what attracted my attention and made me googletranslated the German text. http://www.wittner-kinotechnik.de/neu/

--------------------
Dominique

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted September 12, 2016 06:48 PM

Well spotted Dom, it certainly looks to be genuine. I wonder how much stock they have. Perhaps all the beaulieu owners could club together and make them an offer, would there be enough interest, it appears they assume no offer would be on the table for the spares.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 12, 2016 11:54 PM

I'd say they have far more stock than any group of individuals would require and the price they would ask for it all would more than likely, make this prohibitive Paul.

Just like binning real film, it would be sacrilege in my eyes though, to just place all the remaining stock as landfill.
A real crying shame.

Still if insufficient people want all of these remaining spare parts anymore, and its costing them money each month to store them all, just like any other working business model, what else are you supposed to do with them all, aside from actually giving them away or selling them all at a considerable loss?

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

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted September 13, 2016 03:22 AM

No harm in asking though Andrew, like it says on there web page, do not cry after all the stock is gone, ask now get your orders in. What if it was 20,000 euro's, get twenty people willing to part with a 1,000 each, divide stock between those people equally, then they can do as they wish with it, keep it or sell it.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 13, 2016 05:50 AM

If only that simple Paul.😊😊

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

| IP: Logged

Edwin van Eck
Master Film Handler

Posts: 312
From: Tilburg, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2015

posted September 13, 2016 06:16 AM

Our mission is to keep the high end 8mm and 16mm projectors running as long as possible. We have started a couple of years ago with the fabrication of the "easy" parts using 3D printing.

However we are applying more advanced modern techniques know and this keeps improving. E.g. we have created now a full set of new parts to allow a Bauer T610 to run regular8 films (including new sprockets in steel (laser cutting technology)).

So, if you are in need of a part of a high end projector, please let me know, and we will see how we can produce this in low volume again!

We prioritize these machines currently:

Bauer T500 T600 series
Elmo GS1200
Elmo ST1200
Beaulieu 708
Fumeo

--------------------
Edwin van Eck
Van Eck Video Services

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 13, 2016 06:32 AM

Magnetic Heads and pressers for all of the above please Edwin and every motor/ drive belt.😊

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

| IP: Logged

Bill Brandenstein
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1632
From: California
Registered: Aug 2007

posted September 13, 2016 10:31 AM

Andrew, you're not going to make it easy for him, are you! [Smile]

Edwin, your arsenal of parts and machining skills could also be applied to converting Eumigs to Dual 8. Any Super 8 800-series Eumig could run standard 8 IF you could get the right parts installed. That of course requires sprockets, gates, and path modification (unless silent only) and would have to cost less than then value of a used dual-8 projector. That latter bit is probably why this won't fly. But it's intriguing to think of all the stuff you could do with your skills, Edwin.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 13, 2016 11:12 AM

These are simply the number one parts that will be needed over time Bill to keep the big three running.

One of our best technicians to ever grace our shores so far as Elmo machines are concerned, is already looking into the possibilities of fitting alternative motors into the GS 1200 for the main film transportation, simply because main motors for these are now becoming so very scarce as new spares.
Motors, toothed belts and heads for all, are priority number one for them all,to be honest.

Most else, something can be worked out.

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

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted September 13, 2016 12:36 PM

If the impetus is there Andrew anything is possible, all it takes is the co operation of all concerned. If you can't get Mohamed to the mountain, you get the mountain to Mohamed.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 13, 2016 02:28 PM

With no GS's to worry about, no Fumeo, hopefully for the rest,my last ever outlay with Wittners will see me right with any luck Paul.

I'd hate to have to try and find a minimum of 3 different spare motors now for the GS's.
It's great for people like my mate who had the foresight years ago to surround themselves with all of the spare motors and heads ever likely to be needed for one of these, but for people like myself, late back to the hobby,my choices were limited to the only machine that still offered all of these as brand new spares.
It's a choice I'm now pleased I somehow had the foresight to see looking at the situations I'm hearing of now Paul.

I honestly can't see me ever owning a GS 1200 now unless somehow the situation does a complete u turn for heads, motors, lamps and belts for these miraculously.

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

| IP: Logged

Kevin Clark
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 978
From: Bapchild, Kent, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted September 13, 2016 02:29 PM

There only needs to be increased dialogue from us on these forums and I am sure we could help with our own spares stocks and in the case of many members their technical ingenuity to get most machines up and running again.

I have less concerns about gates, pressure plates and heads wearing these days as the film cleaners we use provide lots of lubrication between the film stripe surfaces and the metal parts mentioned. Eumig heads are a concern as they are softer than others but I'm sure a re- profiling would be possible and there were companies that could do this that may still be around.

Toothed (timing) belts can also be found cheaply it is just a matter of identifying the belt size and pitch of the teeth - some belts will have codes typed on them, others will need to be identified manually. If you google 'how to identify timing belts' there are many guides out there to help do this.

Some Goko / Erno editors (RM8008) use motors suitable for the GS1200, most ICs can be found by searching using the specific printed on IC number, Edwin has already made huge inroads into replacement guides, gears and other spares, and even claws and cams can be re-tipped / re-profiled by those with the necessary engineering skills on here.

I just cannot believe Wittners will dump their inventory - surely it doesn't take up that much storage space - they really do need to reconsider their pricing levels as I feel this has probably affected their sales of cine spares more than anything else.

Kevin

[ September 17, 2016, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: Kevin Clark ]

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 13, 2016 02:33 PM

Agreed there Kevin regarding almost all, but especially the very last statement.
I do believe there is an awful lot of spares though Kevin by all accounts, so probably quite a fair amount of space to accommodate and pay for, to be fair.

Incidentally Kevin, if you can locate a Capstan Drive motor supplier nowadays, I will appoint you Senior Engineering Spares Consultant of the forums myself! 😂😂😂

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

| IP: Logged

Kevin Clark
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 978
From: Bapchild, Kent, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted September 13, 2016 03:11 PM

Hello Andrew

We will probably never know the truth but perhaps informing Bjorn the European Beaulieu specialist would be a good idea in case he is not aware of the upcoming spares cutoff.

Any company that has large amounts of inventory will only dump it if it is on their books as a higher than realistic value then use the loss in a future financial year to reduce operating profits tax. We had this situation at a company I worked for years ago - shelves of outdated office machines and spares all sitting on the books way over their true value that could not be used or sold just there to pump up the company stock value. Madness from an engineering perspective but all perfect sense to accountants.

Regarding the capstain motor - you're on - tell me the max and minimum rpm, the operating voltage range, in fact any numbers you have and I will try and find an alternative - I bet they exist in a similar form in tape recorders or other small motor electronic gadgets. That is another part I never needed in my three Beaulieus so don't worry quite so much about their lifespan.

Kevin

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted September 13, 2016 03:46 PM

I will get some nameplate details over to you in about two months next time I get it out Kevin! Lol [Wink]

So far whenever I've looked up these details, I've got nowhere Kevin.
You're right, the motor runs practically on no load, so as such, should last practically forever.

However it is another with a built in tacho gen and as such differs from similar models I've so far referenced.

I've witnessed many times over by the Blue Chip orgs of this world, skip upon skip full of thousands of pounds worth of drives, motors, gearboxes and countless other industrial brand new spare parts that have been totally written off as scrap just so the company no longer pays for their asset tag revenue!
Sheer madness only witnessed in this bonkers world of the relatively recent past. [Confused]

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

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2