8mm Forum: Did I just do good or get screwed?

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Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on April 25, 2009, 03:32 PM:

I'm not sure what happened as I assumed this would go for much more but I just won an auction on ebay for an ELMO ST-1200HD M & O which looked like it just had the melted/cracked belts for $208 and I had a 8% coupon from ebay so basically the shipping was free...Don't these usually go for more? I have been wanting one with the optical capability for some time now and I'm very excited, but now I have to get an optical film.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=190301873155

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on April 25, 2009, 03:48 PM:

hi Dino, I was the first bidder on this machine. It could be a good buy or a "good-bye..." from the seller. I hope it's just the belts. I have two other machines so I would have used it for parts if it's a clunker. Like the seller said in his description...Good Luck. Let me know how you made out. For that price, it shouldn't need anything!

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on April 25, 2009, 11:46 PM:

Joe .....will do..... [Smile]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on April 26, 2009, 09:47 AM:

If the sound and motor work, then it is a good deal. Everything else can be cleaned and installed easily(like belts). I've seen them sell usually for around $375 and as high as $900.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on April 26, 2009, 03:47 PM:

hey Dan, I would never pay that much ($500-$900) for any ST1200...would you? Let's see how Dino makes out before calling it a good deal. The seller didn't know very much, if anything, about this projector. The last ST1200 I bought had the 24fps rubber drive wheel worn down to the metal...without a replacement how much is it worth? Luckily I had one I bought from Tom Photiou. By the way, how did you make out with that film lot you bought here on the Forum?

[ April 26, 2009, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: Joe Taffis ]

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on April 26, 2009, 08:43 PM:

Hi, Joe,

Heavens to Mergatroy, I wouldn't pay that much either, but I have seen it happen on the old bidding block.

The film lot from California was in pristine physical condition. An extremely neat film lot as was the St-1200. I'm still watching the films a little at time. I haven't watched the horror ones yet. Black Sunday needs a soundtrack rerecord. The Mummy(Karlof) is an excellent 400' digest.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on April 26, 2009, 09:24 PM:

I have my fingers crossed as I really do want a usuable optical projector, and will update once the machine arrives.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on April 27, 2009, 06:29 AM:

I sold the ST-1200HD for $900. [Smile]

But of course this was mint in the box with hang tags, tons of elmo promotional literature, 1200ft reels...and I think I threw in a digest. "The Rose" 400fter.
The price is fair really. If it had the belts and all the repair work was done for you than it would have gone for more...$250+.
Those machines are work horses so I am sure that everything will be fine! Change the belts and enjoy it-

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on April 27, 2009, 02:22 PM:

What is the belt set needed for the M & O? Is it just the regular ST-1200 HD set? I want to have them ready to go, hen it gets here.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on May 06, 2009, 01:25 AM:

Well I rec'd the projector yesterday and I must say, I have never seen the Elmo rubber look worse. It took me a couple of hours today to clean the gooey mess, but I am still optimistic as the rest looks pretty sound. I haven't plugged it in yet because I want to go through it and clean fully and replace all of the belts before turning it on....Wish me luck [Eek!]

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 06, 2009, 07:00 AM:

Good luck Dino!
I have bought the same projector last year. And it had the same 'problem'. It now worsk perfectly. It will happen the same to you!

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on May 07, 2009, 11:48 AM:

Yes....I had one of those st1200's with the belts turned totally to goo.....i bought the machine for less than a hundred dollars....did about three hours of work on it...ruined a shirt with the black stuff that just would not come out....got the stuff all over everything...BUT...when I finished...and put the new belt set on ...and cleaned the gears and relubed, the thing ran like a top...even after my having to scrub the rubber off the shutter wheel. It's abit noiser than most , but works great. Worth all the work...at least at the price I paid.

Posted by Gian Luca Mario Loncrini (Member # 1417) on May 07, 2009, 04:44 PM:

The same, more or less, had happened to me last year. I'm sure Dino will be heappy about his new toy.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on May 09, 2009, 03:32 PM:

Thought I'd give an update on my progress. I finally got most of the gooey elmo tar out and put in the new belts (haven't put the counter belt on yet but that will be one of the last I do) I gave a quick test and everything was going in the right direction which is good but very sporadic....I also noticed the takeup reel was not turning..I took it all apart and tried to scrape off as much old lubricant as I could and then replace, and that is now moving smoothly (Should probably do the same with the front even though it seems to be turning freely).

The next thing I am noticing is the speed is not terribly steady...I can see it speed up and down and sometimes look like it is running steady, but not sure where to look for the cause. Any ideas?

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on June 10, 2009, 12:53 AM:

It has been awhile so I thought I'd update on the purchase. I cleaned it up (I may have over cleaned it) replaced the belts (Still haven't done the counter yet though, that's a bugger) and run a few films through it and seems to be working great. I think I over lubed inside and have been having some speed "drag" that is noticeable on music but not dialogue, also I am wondering about the little .....um.... "elmo scratcher?" The little green spiky thing waiting for the film when it tries to touch that final white roller before the takeup reel. It just seems a little abrasive, and i'm wondering what's a tip for this piece if you suspect it could be scraping?

Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on June 10, 2009, 02:49 AM:

The small plastic piece isnt a problem, if it bothers you smooth the end down with a small file. Dont take off too much, or it wont auto-thread properly and you will have to use crazy glue and baking soda to build up the end again.

Most people overlube the inside of ST1200's so dont feel bad :)Keep cleaning the drive wheels and shutterwheel until the drive wheels no longer get 'lubed'

The counter belt isnt that bad - send me an email or PM and I will tell you know how to change it easily.

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