8mm Forum: Recommended projectors?

This is topic Recommended projectors? in forum 16mm films for sale/trade/wanted at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Zachary Reader (Member # 2204) on November 13, 2010, 09:16 PM:

I'm just starting to collect 16mm, and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for projectors.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on November 14, 2010, 02:51 AM:

Eiki RM-1. Manual threading, just like it should be. Excellent.
[Smile]

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on November 15, 2010, 04:32 AM:

Elmo CL16 slot loader. And would you believe ...I have one for sale.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on November 15, 2010, 10:21 AM:

My only suggestion is more on the lines of How and from whom to buy. I would recommend that you stay away from Ebay....and actually talk with a few projector experts....who sell them. One in particular here in the states is a really honest fellow on this forum, Rick Burgess. He reconditions and repairs projectors full time...and sells them...and guarantees them. He has worked on several of mine...and has sold me a couple, too...all guaranteed to run like new....which is more than you can say for MOST of the machines for sale out there. He has Kodak Pageants....( my favorite ) usually for a reasonable 250 dollars....all redone...cleaned...lubed...up to specs and guaranteed. He has others Eiki...bell and howell...etc....
He not only knows the machines..and their quirks..but knows how to ship them so they will actually get to you in the same shape as when they leave his place in North Carolina. If you don't have at least 250 dollars or so to invest in a reliable machine, I would suggest you just wait and save until you do. The brand you buy is not as important as whether it is running well...and will be a good, reliable machine every time you use it. There are other folks here on the forum....but I'd suggest you check with Rick Burgess. I know he's on the 16mm one, and I believe he's on here, too. He will talk to you oni the phone and give you the honest scoop on machines.

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on November 17, 2010, 08:52 AM:

All true. Most 16mm projectors may have sat around not being used for ages so may need simple repairs such as new drive belts etc. I agree Ebay is a long shot, great for prices but seller descriptions can be misleading resulting in a possible 'bad' buy. If you do buy from Ebay, get as much detail from the seller beyond the ad description. Eiki/Elf are very simple projectors to maintain, but Bell and Howells, tho fantastic machines, suffer from possible main worm drive cogs, you can get the part but they are a swine to fit. Best advice, see the machine in the flesh...WORKING.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on November 17, 2010, 05:25 PM:

I have had some good success with ebay in the past and even drove from London to Chester one evening to buy a 16mm for cash just to be sure it was as described and to make sure it arrived safely. I was not disappointed, however, within a couple of weeks it had gone wrong. Thankfully, a local motor company was able to supply me with the very big capacitor i needed to replace the one on the motor that failed!

I like the Elmo 16CL and the Rank Aldis

Posted by Zachary Reader (Member # 2204) on November 18, 2010, 12:24 AM:

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I just bought a 16mm Bell & Howell EIKI 3585 Sound Projector, in excellent condition from ebay. From what I heard these projectors have great reviews, and after doing some more research I decided it was worth it.

Thanks again

-Zach

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