Super 8mm Projector suggestions / comparisons

[Philip Hamilton]

oops double post

[Philip Hamilton]

Can you elaborate on the 'inlet chute' issue? I'm guessing this is where you feed the film? I don't see how this would wear but then I am not familiar with these models? the price is $360 including shipping.....thanks

[Mark Todd]

Hi Philip, yes its where the film goes in at the first point just before the first sprocket the film touches/dips down and wears in to the sides of the guide, many machines have this issue so don`t worry etc.

Its the same first guide/shute. as the GS1200.

It just comes out with a single simple Philips screw.

Here is the wittner new one in metal its the same as the original guide only deeper relief and non wear.

https://www.wittnercinetec.com/epage.../Products/1077

And here is the plastic upgrade with a roller, I`d go for with a 600 machine.

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/ELMO-GS-1200...5/262203295246

You can see the edge raised part each side of the new fitting with a small black roller now there where the film wears in as just raised edge on the std part, its all sorted with this new part from Edwin and Van Eck.

Price wise, I would feel more comfortable at $250 posted myself if it is actually unrun.

Does it have new belts or bulb fitted etc.

Privately they can be picked up from $50/75 and up to around $200, and don`t tend to suffer too much use usually.

Still hoping a kind collector will do you a nice one cheaply on here.

Rob K on here sold us a silver ST600DM last year for £75, boxed etc, great runner and minty, in very kindly/favour fashion that is wonderful, so it is possible.

Best wishes Mark.

PS an Elmo is really worth the effort as they have many more smiles per the miles. They are just lovely to use.

[Mark Todd]

PS Looking at the 180 you show on ebay it has an odd attatched wind on lead set up on the back. Usually a seperate lead and a modern 3 prong fitting on the machine.

But if paying as much as $350 I would maybe try a negotiation on this machine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-ELM...QAAOSwqOZgHkqT

Though there would be a couple of things to ask, plus its a future proof job and 150 watt lamp.

Its much better value depending on the varient.

If its a no rubber on the shutter outside model where the rubber clutch wheel rides it would be very nice.

Best Mark.

[Philip Hamilton]

So while I was waiting for a response - this came up ---

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELMO-ST-120...T/154364527839

I have negotiated the price down - I am just waiting for seller to confirm that yes it powers on and the sprockets/wheels move forward and backward and the lamp works. This is supposed to be complete and unused and in MINT shape. I think it is a good price for this unit. So we will see - this was the the unit suggested a while back but most were quite expensive.....I hope all turns out etc.

[Michael O’Regan]

Just be aware though, Philip, mint and unused doesn’t mean this will operate like new out of the box.

[Mark Todd]

Did you get that Philip, looks fantastic, even if the odd thing to tackle.

Hope so.

If you need a few tips etc when ( if ) it comes plenty of people here will chip in.

Best Mark.

[Philip Hamilton]

Thank you all. I am going to get the ELMO ST 1200. The seller says it turns on and moves in forward and reverse and the lamp comes on. So I will give it a go.

[Philip Hamilton]

Just be aware though, Philip, mint and unused doesn’t mean this will operate like new out of the box.

Unfortunately you were correct. This is the MINT ELMO ST 1200 HD projector and wow it looks 'mint'.

The belts have decayed and pieces were laying about in the back when I took it off to see if a belt had slipped off. Boy was I wrong! All of the rubber belts will need to be replaced.

I am not concerned so much in doing that but I don't know what else might be wrong with it. For example. When I turned the motor into the FORWARD position the green button you press to auto load the film does not engage/lock into position. Is this because the belts are missing/decayed and will work if I replace them? Also the same for the yellow rewind button - you can press it down but it does not 'lock' into position.

Thoughts and comments welcome? I would had to go through a RETURN on this if all I need to do is just replace the rubber belts.

[Alan Rik]

Unfortunately you wouldn’t be able to return it either as the seller states the item has not been tested so it may need repair. That being said the Elmo ST1200HD’s are the last models made and most likely once the belts are replaced the machine should be a smooth runner.
I purchased one like yours that looked brand new but all the belts were melted as well. Once the belts were replaced the machine came back to life and is very smooth running. Also the HD models run at a very close to 24fps which some of the older models did not.
Hopefully your model does not have the rubber around the shutter wheel.
You can replace the rubber around the wheel but it’s difficult. And without it the machine will be a little louder and possibly the speed might be a little faster.

Also the yellow rewind lever only locks into place once the machine is already in rewind mode. Once it starts rewinding then you press the yellow lever and it locks into place. At the end of the reel it pops up and unlocks.
Not sure about the green thread lever. I don’t remember if the unit uses solenoids to keep the green threader down. But the machine is very easy to repair as it is almost 90% mechanical so if it doesn’t work it may just need some adjustments.

Very rarely will you see a Dead ST1200. They are work horses through and through. Great picture and sound. Just make sure to keep it clean and watch for parts that wear-don’t want to scratch your films! Good luck!

[Mark Todd]

Mind you Philip there is no way on earth they actually had it running forward or backwards with the belts like that.

So that was misleading.

You do need a part refund at the least as it will need money putting in.

But it is worth it Philip.

Best Mark.

PS mention about the shutter ( you caould do yourself ) on the other post.

[Alan Rik]

2 bladed shutter would be nice and give a little more light. Only problem would be flicker if your not running at 24fps.

[Philip Hamilton]

Hi everyone. An update. I picked up an ELMO ST 180E M projector that seems to be in solid working condition. I've run some sound film through it and am wondering how best to approach a triage for the projector / cleaning etc.

1) When I first turned it on an began running a film - I could not get the SOUND to come on properly - it was static - but then I shifted the the switch from M to SILENT and then back and suddenly SOUND! I ran 4 films through after that and no problem - sound works fine. These films use Track 1 only. Should I just keep it set to '1' and forget about track 2? Also, I have some SILENT films that I would like to project - does it matter if I leave it set to M (for Sound) and just keep the volume down while projecting SILENT?

2) What is the best way to approach cleaning this unit? I would like to be sure and clean the heads where the mag stripe runs - suggestions on approach of that do's and don'ts? Also belt pulleys. Any gotchas there?

3) Belts and lights are pretty inexpensive for this unit. What should I look for re: inspecting the belts when I remove the back cover?

4) One time while threading a movie the film did not come out so I stopped the projector and opened the panel and somehow the film got bunched up and did not thread to the rear of the track where the take up reel is. I simply backed it out and re-threaded and it worked fine. What should I look for regarding what might cause this? Is there a way to clean the 'track path' so that film glides through with no problem. This only happened on one film. The rest were fine. I re-trimmed the film on the feeding end to be sure there was a clean cut.

Looks like a solid working unit otherwise - just need to know what to look for thanks for all of your help.

[Lee Mannering]

EUMIG 810D Super 8/Standard 8 sound or 807D. These dual machines in the 70's known in the UK as work horses and mine since 1972 onward has served me very well indeed.
A light weight machine of metal constriction with little sign of plastic and reasonably easy to maintain.

[Philip Hamilton]

EUMIG 810D Super 8/Standard 8 sound or 807D. These dual machines in the 70's known in the UK as work horses and mine since 1972 onward has served me very well indeed.
A light weight machine of metal constriction with little sign of plastic and reasonably easy to maintain.

I looked at that one too haven't seen many.

Any suggestions on the ELMO ST 180E M that I do have now? I like it - seems solid - I do have some questions - see post #28. thank you