8mm Forum: Eiki SL-1

This is topic Eiki SL-1 in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000582

Posted by Spencer Bradley (Member # 2145) on October 14, 2010, 09:29 AM:

Last night I won an Eiki SL-1 on ebay for $20 + S&H. This is my first 16mm projector. Is there anything I should know before trying to use a 16mm projector for the first time?

Posted by frank arnstein (Member # 330) on October 19, 2010, 04:06 PM:

Hi Spencer
Congratulations on your lucky projector purchase.
Sounds like you got a bargain. You need to read the Eiki manual before attempting to use the machine, so get that before you do much else.

Before using it to watch movies, its recommended that a proper service be carried out to the machine. This will involve lubrication to many points that get sticky when not used for a long time.

There are 4 rubber belts that may need replacing & the focus bush will also probably need renewing.

Check the lens to make sure its clear with no fogginess or scratches.

Good Luck with your new toy.
dogtor [Razz]

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on October 19, 2010, 11:18 PM:

To add to the good doctor's advice:

The next time you go to the drug store, get a bottle of pure alcohol (97/98%) and you will also want some cloth that doesn't "lint" on you (chamois from a sewing shop is very good; get a yard or so and cut off pieces as needed.)
A bottle of compressed air with a long straw-like snoot is very useful.

Make "cleaning" your standard mantra for your machine. The gate, the path, the rollers. I do it between every reel.

Pretty soon, you'll feel like you haven't brushed your teeth if you try to run a reel without cleaning the machine first.
All it takes is for one favorite reel to suddenly have a big ugly scratch down the side to make you realize the importance of prevention.

Get comfortable with your machine. The gate is spring-loaded and slips out. Take it out, get used to handling it.

The above to say: slow down. Consciously develop the good habits and good checks when you want to run a film.
Don't multitask, don't be on the phone, don't be distracted when loading a print. Double-check the basics.
Make a point of remembering to lock the reel locks on the arms when you put a reel on.

A DVD forgives every operator error. A film projector will mostly tell you right away when you blow it, usually at some cost to the print. Not to scare you, just as a good heads-up.

Congratulations on a nice machine at a rock-bottom price! Don't hesitate to ask questions.

Claus.

Posted by Spencer Bradley (Member # 2145) on October 20, 2010, 07:04 AM:

Thanks for the advice.

Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on October 21, 2010, 02:56 PM:

I would ad that you should clean your film before running it through the machine.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2