8mm Forum: Bell & Howell repair QX80 Lumina

This is topic Bell & Howell repair QX80 Lumina in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Dave Hackett (Member # 5151) on December 08, 2015, 08:48 AM:

So the usual story, I have my parents old projector and it has been sitting. From what I have read, the rubber parts deteriorate and so the drive functions do not work properly. I need a service manual and a good description (maybe pics) of what others have done to get these working.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on December 08, 2015, 08:58 AM:

Hi Dave

Check this link.

https://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/manuals/lumina-models-instruction-manual-p20217.html

PatD

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on December 08, 2015, 01:03 PM:

Hi Dave...I know this projector very well. The QX80 is not your typical looking Bell and Howell 8mm projector, but a very low-end model series that looks like this:

The only source I've found for a service manual for these projectors is at http://www.craigcamera.com. John Craig passed away in 2011, but his wife has been selling what is left of his manual inventory. She may be able to locate a reprint for you.

Here is what is listed on the webpage.

#90379. CraigCamera Reprint: BELL & HOWELL LUMINA II 8mm/SUPER 8mm PROJECTORS, 1977 44pp, fully illustrated. Reprint of the original factory service manual on this series; includes LX30, MX43, MX45, MX60, QX80, QX95. Includes exploded views, parts list, full service and adjustment information. $18.00

I don't usually like to discourage people from trying to do their own repairs, but I personally have worked on these projectors and even replacing a belt is not worth the time. These are very poorly designed (cheap plastic parts) and without some specialized Bell and Howell tools for calibrating reel tension can be impossible to work on.

Posted by Dave Hackett (Member # 5151) on December 08, 2015, 03:10 PM:

Thanks Janice. I see from browsing the forum the last two days that you are a bit of a guru. I have a bunch of old family movies and played some a few years back but had to help the projector along. I'm going to take a crack at replacing the two belts if I can track down suitable parts but the cone shaped drive piece is a mystery. what have others done for that part?

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on December 08, 2015, 05:30 PM:

You can find belts for these machines on Ebay...but good luck getting the shutter belt on. I ended up making a DIY urethane belt by joining the belt material after it was threaded around the pulleys. As far as parts...If someone on Ebay isn't selling parts...then the only thing you can do is find another junker projector that hopefully doesn't have the same issues as the one you already have and replace the parts from that machine.

Posted by Dave Hackett (Member # 5151) on December 10, 2015, 10:50 AM:

Janice, you commented on my attempt to repair a B&H QX80. I'm curious what you think of a Canon P-400. I can get it cheap and it's running but will not feed film. Are Canon's a better platform for repair? thanks

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on December 10, 2015, 02:35 PM:

Canons are not much better. The early models like the P-400 were also poorly designed and the later models like the P-1000 were overly complicated in their design. I recommend looking for a Chinon or better yet a Sankyo 1000 or 2000H... much easier to trouble-shoot and work on. However, I recommend you find one that works 100% and pass on those that have obvious problems.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on December 13, 2015, 01:42 PM:

The Cannon has one of the most complicated belt systems I have ever seen. It has belts going every which way possible running in the way of each other. i'm amazed that the projector even works. [Eek!]

Posted by Dave Hackett (Member # 5151) on December 16, 2015, 11:09 AM:

what do you think of a Chinon 4000GL which is working? any idea what I should pay for it?

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on December 16, 2015, 04:12 PM:

The Chinon 4000Gl is a better choice. It's not as robust as the Sankyo's, but if they have been stored properly and maintained they will do a good job. Belts and lamps are readily available for this projector.

I'll refrain from suggesting a price to pay since for me there are variables involved. There is a difference in the resale value of a projector depending on whether you buy one that has been stored away untouched for 30 years or you buy that same projector that has been subsequently restored... serviced ... and tested.

Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on December 16, 2015, 04:39 PM:

I recall that the main problem with the Chinon projectors was they had plastic film gates that had a tendency to warp. I would suggest that you buy a roll of film leader and use that to test any machine you might consider buying. If the machine has not been restored or refurbished, expect, at a minimum, to replace the drive belt.

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