Help with Keystone 948-2 projector please

[Geoff Nichol]

Hi A plea for help.
I have been given about thirty pathe baby exposed films ,a pathe baby projector and camera. The films were taken in about 1937 in Durban Africa according to the faint labels.
After cleaning and oiling the pathe baby projector and replacing the lethal original wiring with an LED bulb I managed to get some very interesting glimpses of the film contents. I also found that the projector was very good at chewing the film given the slightest provocation.
I decided to try and digitise the films. After various unsuccessful attempts involving a Dslr ,Arduino boards and stepper motors I gave up.
I have now acquired a Keystone Supreme 948-2 9.5mm projector and when I collected it I was also given about 30 four hundred foot films!. The projector was last used in 1969. I have searched the web for information or instructions for this projector with no success.
After some cleaning I am now trying to work out how to thread a film through it and Advice would very much appreciated. I am new to cine film. I shall attach some photos.
Are films normaly wound ready for use emulsion side in?
If i put a film reel on the top arm so that the emulsion is towards the lens, the film will come off the top left hand side of the reel. When I crank the projector clockwise the top spool rotates anti clockwise and film comes off the spool faster than it is fed into the film gate. If I cross the spring drive belt to reverse the spool direction the projector then feels very stiff.
I'm also not to sure of the routing of the film around the lower posts and sprocket.
Any help and advice very much appreciated or even a scan of a instruction booklet?

[Ed Gordon]

...
I'm also not to sure of the routing of the film around the lower posts and sprocket.
Any help and advice very much appreciated or even a scan of a instruction booklet?

There are three more pages to this "Instruction booklet for the 9.5mm Keystone Supreme E-948/2 cine projector " at:

https://www.pathefilm.uk/95gear/95ge...arkeystone.htm

[Chris Bird]

Hi Geoff, there's a good page on Keystone projectors on Grahame Newnham's site:
https://www.pathefilm.uk/95gear/95ge...arkeystone.htm
Though beware Grahame's warning: 'With a non-relieved film gate I doubt if it will ever be used for showing decent 9.5mm film prints!'

9.5mm Keystones are not common, so that's a nice find. I've never had one myself, but it sounds like a rewind lever (if here is one) may be engaged, which is why the feed spool would be revolving at speed. That would certainly be the case on a Specto, which I use. Most earlier 9.5mm prints are wound so that the film will come off the left side of the spool as you look at the projector, unlike with 8mm and 16mm.

For 9.5mm silent, the Specto is normally regarded as the best projector. If you want one, a friend of mine is looking to sell one.

[Simon Wyss]

Given the corrosion let me suggest you have that thing gone over by a fine mechanic. All parts the film comes in contact with need to be at least finely machined, ground or polished. Perhaps a different projector will be the better solution. I can help.

[Geoff Nichol]

Thanks for all the replies.
A "Non relieved film gate" means that the film does not have a channel in the film gate to run in? If so would it be possible to use some strips of shim steel to form one?
As far as polishing the film path. The the film guides appear to be rivited/ press fitted non removable like most of the projector ,so I'm thinking of using string and a fine abrasive paste.
I have not discovered a rewind lever so far. I think the drive belt may be a bit short and so when crossed is a bit tight.
As to another projector as usual funds are tight but i may be tempted.
As this projector is in a rough condition but has two sprockets and claw dive I was going to modify it to form the basis of a telecine unit.
The projector was originally motor driven but the original motor is missing, I was thinking of using a stepper motor to drive the projector has anybody tried this.
One final point my projector came fitted with a fan under the lamp housing wich looks to be factory fitted but is not shown in any illustrations,see photo.

[Geoff Nichol]

The bad news.There is not enough room on the film gate to use shim steel. The film gate is riveted together so cannot be taken apart for cleaning. The good news is the film gate appears to have slightly raised edges so does have a relived film gate?

[Chris Bird]

Geoff, with respect, that projector is in fairly rough shape. Certainly fun to play with, but I would not suggest running unique and irreplaceable footage through it. Once it’s scratched, it’s scratched.

You’ll be able to pick up a Specto for around £50 or so, and if you get one in good condition that hasn’t spent decades in a shed, you’ll be set up for years.

My point about the rewind lever: if there is no rewind, then what is the purpose of the spring belt on the feed spool?

[Geoff Nichol]

Yes I agree re irreplaceable films. I'm only using some taty commercial films at the moment. I will look lookout for a spectro.
Re reading the instructions I now have, the rewind belt is not connected during normal forward projection! Solves the problem.
Thanks again for all the comments and information.

[Chris Bird]

Ok, let me know if you want me to put you in touch with my friend who has one or two for sale.

[Ken Finch]

Another alternative is the Pathescope 200B, particularly if you can find one which has been updated and rewired to take a halogen bulb and is in good condition. It is also easier to lace up than the Specto and easier to clean.

[Paul Adsett]

Another alternative is the Pathescope 200B, particularly if you can find one which has been updated and rewired to take a halogen bulb and is in good condition. It is also easier to lace up than the Specto and easier to clean.

.............and make sure the asbestos has been totally removed from the interior of the lamp house!

[Ken Finch]

If the asbestos is intact, it is safer to leave it alone. It is the fibres which can cause health problems and the act of removing it could release these fibres into the air which you could then breathe in unless you wear a mask and wear rubber gloves to avoid skin contact. The white asbestos used in the 200B is white asbestos, conside red to be the least dangerous. Blue and Brown asbestos are the worst!

[Geoff Nichol]

Very familiar with asbestos. in the 70s as an apprentice we used to throw bags of blue asbestos to each other when fire stopping large cable holes. Then in the 80s on Sundays at double time plus dirt and discomfort allowance ,wearing full protective clothing with forced draft full face breathing masks removing it, then vacuuming the whole building , including the tops of door and any ledges.