8mm Forum: Bell & Howell 642 Take-up Arm

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Topic: Bell & Howell 642 Take-up Arm

Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted September 24, 2014 04:53 AM

Hello,
I did a full test film showing at the weekend and I found that the take-up reel wouldn't rotate although projecting and rewind was working well. I took the arm apart and found that the drive spindle and plastic gears were OK but there was a sticky black mess on the internal pulley under the drive belt. The belt appeared OK but worn. Is there a rubber or plastic ring fitted to the pulley? Is it different to later Bell & Howells? Is the take-up belt different to the fabric type in later TQ models. Any help much appreciated.

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Paul.

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted October 02, 2014 03:54 AM

An Update.

I cleaned the large take-up pulley and the driving pulley within the take-up arm with isopropyl alcohol to remove the black hard sticky deposits. I then pushed a new rubber sleeve over the driving pulley. I noticed that my 8D644 projector doesn't use a sleeve over the larger take-up pulley so I've left the 642 one bare.

I obtained a new cloth belt for use between the pulleys. This is the one that tightens as the load of the take-up spool increase. Although it was supposed to be suitable I found it was too wide. Perhaps the design was changed in later models. In any case a new belt for the 642 wasn't available on Ebay. The original narrow belt wasn't too bad so after cleaning I refitted it. I'm now going to try it out and I'll update the forum with my results. If I do need a new belt I might try asking Phil Sheard at Classic?

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Paul.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

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

posted October 02, 2014 02:49 PM

For most Bell & Howell parts I suggest you contact Gordon Ogbourne.
http://www.pathefilm.freeserve.co.uk/cel8/cel17.htm

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Maurice

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted October 03, 2014 03:21 AM

Thanks Maurice for the suggestion. Actually Gordon supplied the new parts I've used so far. I certainly recommend him for speed of service and reasonable prices. I did find a better used fabric belt in my spares box so I fitted that instead.

Sadly the take-up torque is still very weak indeed even after all the effort. The trouble seems to be that the drive from the projector body turns the plastic shaft along the arm and the plastic pinion gear meshes properly with the metal toothed crown wheel. If you remember old-fashioned rear wheel drive car rear axles and propeller shafts, the arrangement is similar.

However the plate mated up with the crown wheel is designed to slip in a clutch action but in my case slips badly with slightest load. It seems that the crown wheel and plate are manufactured as one component so a complete replacement is needed or a whole replacement take-up arm assembly. I think the latter is the safer bet.

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Paul.

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted October 11, 2014 01:21 PM

As members may have seen on the "Wanted" forum, Clyde Miles very kindly sent me a spare Bell & Howell take-up arm. Thanks Clyde. It has a crown wheel with a plate properly fixed so it should work. The clips are too difficult to remove so I will need to get someone else to finish the job.

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Paul.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

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

posted October 13, 2014 02:41 AM

We must not forget that the 642 models could now be over 50 years old, and many will need loving care from a professional. Some problems may not be obvious but one day will cause the projector to pack up.

My 644 was going well until the starting capacitor blew up and its internal wax oozed out. It will now need replacement of the capacitor, the starting solenoid and the motor, plus a complete cleaning out of the wax which has gone everywhere.

My advice is to let a professional have your 642 as the take-up arm may not be the only part that needs attention.

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Maurice

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted October 13, 2014 03:18 AM

Thanks for the tip Maurice. It's going to a professional as you suggest and I think a precautionary starting capacitor change is a good idea. I've had to change the exciter, main and control panel lamp on the 642 which were easy to deal with, basic electrics are not too frightening but mechanical problems are a different ball-game. Trouble is I have to keep my expenditure down so, as with the 655 with the auto threading problem I had recently, I have to choose between selling on and professional repair.

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Paul.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

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

posted October 13, 2014 04:15 AM

The 641, 642, 643 and 644 are my favourite model range from Bell & Howell, they were very well built and had no fancy auto thread which often causes problems. Most, if not all, were built in the UK, and often their worms are still in perfect condition.

They are well worth spending money on, like a vintage motor car.

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Maurice

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted October 13, 2014 04:38 AM

From my experience I couldn't agree more. It's a shame that manual threading was dropped apart from the economy 535 and a few mag recording models.

[ October 15, 2014, 03:05 AM: Message edited by: Paul Mason ]

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Paul.

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 11, 2014 02:59 AM

I received my 642 back from Kevin Brown last week. He did great job replacing the gears in the take-up arm, lubricating the projector and changing the mains power socket to a modern IEC type. I showed a Wimbledon 1976 tennis film of 2000ft length last night and rewound it. All worked beautifully. Now I must get down to cleaning my films. [Smile]

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Paul.

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Clyde Miles
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 205
From: Bromsgrove, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted November 11, 2014 11:28 AM

kevin brown has repaired and serviced quite a few of my 16mm projectors. i think they come back even better than when new from the manufacturer.

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