8mm Forum: How to replace a worm drive on a B&H 1695 projector

This is topic How to replace a worm drive on a B&H 1695 projector in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on June 02, 2010, 05:55 AM:

I knew it would happen eventually (like a head gasket going in a Landrover Freelander) yes...the worm drive has finally cracked in my Bell and Howell 1695 16mm projector. So the question guys is: How do you replace the wrom drive in a Bell and Howell 1695 projector" Any and all replies with advice greatly appreciated. Cheers, Mark

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on June 02, 2010, 06:35 AM:

And the answer is : "with much difficulty".

Mark, do you have any experience in disassembling projectors? Changing a B&H worm gear can be a real pain. You may purchase a spare part from Classic Home Cinema and the complete service book of the TQIII/1695 can be downloaded from the Manuals sections. Good luck.

Posted by James Wheeler (Member # 1811) on June 02, 2010, 08:21 AM:

I think you have to tear down a good portion of the projector and have a special tool to remove and add the new worm gear. It cost around $300 to have this done, but the new gears are suppose to last a long time.

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on June 02, 2010, 10:10 AM:

Yep, thats what I thought. I may just list the projector on Ebay as spares or repair. Damn shame as it was such a good runner.

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on June 02, 2010, 10:16 AM:

Greetings Is the projector still running?
If so just use it until it locks up.
Ive seen worm gears with many cracks that sill run. Some over a year.
Check out my web site on worm gears At
http://www.rcsclassic16mm.com
RC

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 02, 2010, 10:43 AM:

Mark
My service engineer would probably charge £150 "all in". But, as Richard says "use it until it gives you trouble", this is usually wow from the sound and the two stabilising rollers "bobbing up and down".
It is certainly not a job for D.I.Y.
I live near you. Send me a PM for details of my engineer.

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on June 03, 2010, 04:06 AM:

Thank you all, I think I may just sell it as spares and repairs, the fact being that the worm drive has fully detached from its metal inner.
Maurice, thank you for your offer of details of the engineer who might be able to repair the ol' girl. Can you post his details here or do you want to email me : mark dot barton at uwe dot ac dot uk....thanks to all again.

Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on June 03, 2010, 06:08 AM:

I am fortunate enough to have received training on the worm gear replacement process, from a retired B & H engineer living nearby. Until you see someone else do the job, you'll never quite get it right. The B & H service manual is useless, except for the exploded diagrams. People "think" they know everything about these machines, but until you've overhauled one fully, you haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg!

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on June 03, 2010, 07:13 AM:

I seem to remeber an engineer at McMillans (now ceased trading) who was B&H trained etc, he mentioned that it was'nt just replacing the worm drive but re setting the claw and other synchronised items, if set wrong the film might jump or break etc etc. I don't think I will be tackling that job, and will go ahead and list the projector as spares or repairs, look out for it on the UK site. Cheers and thanks again to all.

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on June 05, 2010, 07:29 AM:

Try and buy an old Ampro [Wink]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 05, 2010, 10:54 AM:

If you are suggesting something as old as an Ampro, why not the classic, built like a tank, Cinetechnic Debrie D16?

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on June 07, 2010, 04:11 AM:

I have worked with 16mm B & H for over 30 years and am also in contact with a former Bell and Howell technician; my advice? Use it until it stops, then buy another.

The prices of good used machines are cheap compared to the drama of a worm gear job. As Simon says, there is so much more to know about these projectors than you think. Try a charcoal case projector (don't touch grey or green unless you have to buy a 666) and you will get good worm gear life.

David

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on June 07, 2010, 04:34 AM:

I've come across this advice before, David, and have always meant to ask -
Why are the green B&H'S best avoided?

Posted by Barry Johnson (Member # 84) on June 07, 2010, 05:59 AM:

Debrie,yes of course.A classis indeed and well worth considering.Old as an ampro??? My machine was only built in 1962!!! Only a baby compared to the Debrie! [Cool]

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 07, 2010, 02:55 PM:

Mike
The green Bell & Howell projectors are older than the later charcoal grey models.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on June 07, 2010, 04:14 PM:

Ah, so they're undesireable from the aspect of the older worm gear?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 08, 2010, 01:47 AM:

I wouldn't call them undesirable other than the fact that they are older and so is their worm!

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