This is topic Pathex Baby - Restoration A to Z in forum 9.5mm Forum at 8mm Forum.


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Posted by Slawomir Rdest (Member # 4429) on August 26, 2014, 08:31 PM:
 
Dear Forum Members,

I hope you are all very well. My Name is Slawomir and I am writing to you from Sydney Australia.

Recently, I have become a proud owner of the Pathex Baby projector. Needless to say, these projectors are beautiful machines and I will most definitely aim to expand my collection in the near future.

The purpose of this thread is to:
- Document an end to end restoration process of my Pathex Baby projector
- Provide high quality photographs representing progress of ongoing work
- Seek advice and opinions from forum members

The goal of this project is to:
- Recondition / replace projector’s mechanical components
- Convert the projector to 12V operation
- Paint (powder coat) the unit
- Recondition nuts, bolts, leavers etc.

My experience with projector equipment and restoration is between low to none. Saying that, I am sure, I will be able to make up for it with my patience, determination and most of all your advice.

I hope information captured here will become an entertaining and informative read for anybody wishing to embark on the Pathex Baby journey.

So here, we go…. Post 1

I am currently waiting for the delivery of my Pathex Baby. It was purchased on an eBay auction in “AS IS” condition. As advised by the seller, the main leaver is ceased and does move. After religiously reading a number of forum threads, I assume that a swollen shutter wheel is the most likely cause.

I have already contacted extremely helpful Mr. Ron Ashton from UK who advised me that obtaining a new shutter wheel should not be a problem.

I am now waiting anxiously for the delivery after which I will share more detailed pictures.

For now, please find attached photographs as provided by the seller on an auction page.

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Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 26, 2014, 09:11 PM:
 
Welcome to the forum Slawomir! Best of luck with your restoration. As you probably have already read, I bought my shutter from Ron Ashton and successfully installed it. My Pathe Baby is the most prize projector in my collection. It's a beautiful piece of machinery and a wonderful example of film history. I look forward to seeing your posts.
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 26, 2014, 10:57 PM:
 
Welcome to this forum and to the 9,5 gauge, Slawomir ! Interesting project. Following the first pictures you posted, the projector seems not to be in bad cosmetic condition. That's an encouraging start.
 
Posted by Slawomir Rdest (Member # 4429) on August 27, 2014, 12:04 AM:
 
The Baby has arrived!

I must admit, I was checking the shipment progress every few hours after the parcel was dispatched. Finally it is here! The seller did a great job packing the projector and it has arrived all safe and sound.

It is a very first time I hold a Pathex Baby projector in my hands. It is beautiful!

Now to the business… As previously mentioned the main leaver is stuck and by immediate suspect is a swollen shutter wheel. I can see already cracks through the units openings. To examine it in detail the top cover has to be removed. Here is my first hurdle. The main wire connecting the top cover is slightly bent at the top. I guess the projector must have fallen on its side at some point of time.

I have removed the top nut and tried to lift the top cover. It does move a bit, but after few millimetres it does not want to move any further. Needless to say I do not want to apply too much pressure or damage any competes.

It is a complete newbie question, but is there anything else connecting the top cover to the main unit? Or is it just a bent wire and I should apply some lubrication and gentle force?

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-->Hi Janice, thank you. Indeed, I have been reading your posts for a while now. They are a great read and very informative. I hope to leverage for you experience during my Pathex journey.

-->Hi Dominique, thank you. I must say that the projector looks better in the real life than on the pictures. I am considering restoring / replacing only the mechanical components (i.e. wheel) and keeping it in the original condition… In the main time I am already looking at other units available for sale [Wink] Truly beautiful machines!
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on August 27, 2014, 02:13 AM:
 
The only reason I see why you cannot lift the cover is that because of the metallic piece you call the wire is bent. Otherwise, it should be easily removed. Wait before doing anything that could dammage the projector. There are wonderfull members on this forum who have amazing technical knowledges and experience. I am sure you will receive good advices.
 
Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 27, 2014, 10:08 AM:
 
Most likely the swollen shutter is pressing against something on the top and jamming it. It could be pressing against the rewind gear next to the opening for the shaft... or the small right-angled positioning pieces of the top casing... or the focusing lever. As you can see in the picture (this is a non-working projector I use for parts) there are no wires...just a long shaft where the top screw attaches. In my case... I broke off a section of the shutter (it's very brittle) from the opening on the side which released the jam and the top came off. You might be able to just pry it up with a little more pressure. There is really nothing else holding the top on.

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[ August 27, 2014, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]
 
Posted by Slawomir Rdest (Member # 4429) on August 27, 2014, 08:55 PM:
 
Thank you for your responses and the picture.
Here is the advice I have received from always helpful Mr. Ron:

“Yes the only thing stopping the Top coming off is the bent long Rod. This bent end must be straightened first or it will not pass through the long brass tube inside . Try wrapping a piece of tape around the thread to protect it then try with some small pliers to straighten it. You may be tempted to try bending it straight with a screwdriver or similar against the shoulder of the casting, but beware you may crack the casting but you can do this if you first clamp a solid piece of metal to the back of the casting so it will not break off”.

I will be conduction the operation over this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for the patient's wellbeing [Wink]

[ August 28, 2014, 01:47 AM: Message edited by: Slawomir Rdest ]
 


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