GAF Anscovision 588 8mm Projector

[Ed Slosky]

I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with this particular model. I’ve got this player, from the 1970s I believe, and some 8mm film from 1937-1951. Unfortunately, this has an auto feeder but is the only unit I’ve got. I wonder what you guys and gals would opine on how this player would handle those old reels? I come here and understand there are no guarantees but wonder what the wisdom of the community has to say…is it wise or foolish to put these particular tapes through this specific machine? Any advice is much appreciated as I’m new to all this. Thanks.

[Jim Schrader]

Hi Ed and welcome to the group this particular unit as like any of the dual 8 machines can be finicky units I had an argus dual 8 849 years ago wasn't a auto feed but ended up burning up a lot of frames of film with yours make sure the pathway is clear of any debris or film then try it with some leader instead of your priceless films if anything happens you'll know not to use it and make sure its on 8mm setting to my old argus played 8mm films better on super 8 than 8mm setting you might want to find a 8mm unit that plays just those, these are just my thoughts' best of luck.

[Janice Glesser]

Hi Ed and welcome to the Forum! I have several of these projectors that I have modified to transfer film to video in real-time. I find the feed mechanism to be much better than the Argus projectors, however with any auto-feed there is a risk of damaging film. I recommend first feeding some unimportant film through the projector to test it. Make sure the path is clean. The film on these projectors can sometimes fold up like an accordion as it turns to go towards the take-up reel. But if the film is in good shape and the path is clean you shouldn't have any problem.

Below is a picture of one of my transfer units. I've replaced the original lens with a 16 mm lens.

[Ed Slosky]

Thanks for the feedback. Actually it’s a 688…not sure of any differences between the two but upon inspection I found a broken belt. It is the belt between the motor and shutter. Any reliable places for parts for these things?

[Jim Schrader]

There’s a seller on eBay called “I sell projector belts” unless it’s the spring kind of belt?

[Thomas Dafnides]

You should find belts on ebay. I purchased from projectorbeltsunlimited available on ebay.

[Janice Glesser]

Ed... After giving it a second thought you might want to look for another projector. The new belts are reasonably priced, but the bulbs for your projector are very expensive. They can cost more than the projector. I use a low wattage light source for my transfer machines since I'm not projecting to a screen.

[Ed Slosky]

All the info is much appreciated. I did see the projectorbeltsunlimited site and I did note the expensiveness of those bulbs. In the end, I took a chance on the belts and will hope the bulb lasts at least long enough for me to see what’s on these films. For now, I just want to be able to play what I have to decide if I want them digitized or not. I did look at them via the sunlight, and some are labeled while others are not, but still want the 8mm feel for a final decision on digitizing or not.

[Thomas Dafnides]

After viewing a film, allow 30 minutes off time for the bulb to cool.... before moving the projector , this will extend the bulb life. ,

[Ed Slosky]

Thanks for the tip!

[Ed Slosky]

Got the belts, made the repair, fired it up and went through six 25 foot reels last night! All went well except the last one. That one “accordioned” on me. I tried once more but same result. I wonder if the heat has something to do with that? At least the bulb held up. Now I have 16 mm ones left, but still searching for a 16 mm projector at a reasonable price.

[Ed Slosky]

Evidently, heat has nothing to do with it. Tried another 8 mm reel and once again ended up like an accordion. Any ideas for preventing this?

[Jim Schrader]

Have you tried trimming the ends of the film there must be something in the films path or the end of the film is hanging up on something try a piece of leader and double check.

[Ed Slosky]

The ends look pretty well trimmed, in fact they all look very similar. Kind of cut/trimmed like a “u” shape.

What about cleaning the pathway? Should something (a liquid cleaner) be used or should it be just brushed out with something like a small dry paint brush?

Also, there are plastic clips that move back and forth in that auto loader. It’s getting jammed at the first turn. Should they be oiled or greased with something?

Furthermore, the reels date from 1936-1951. Could it be they are just too old for the autoload process?

[Thomas Dafnides]

If the film is still flexible and curls easily, it should thread. If it is brittle and stiff then you will have problems with auto-thread. I am not sure by what you mean by "plastic clips" . If you want to lubricate plastic, do so with silicone.