Problems with my projector

[Tiffany Rokeby]

As it turns out, on mine you have to remove a panel and pop out the lens from behind. It seems like the light isn’t hitting the lens.

[Nantawat Kittiwarakul]

Can you run the projector without films in the gate?

You should get some white (fuzzy) rectangle image, or at least a big blob of light, on the screen. But if it instead just some shred of dimmed light, something is completely out of whack inside the machine. It's then necessary to open up the front cover for further investigation.

[Tiffany Rokeby]

I have been running it. Just a sliver of light on Super 8 and none on regular 8.

[Tiffany Rokeby]

I have it open through a panel. I don’t know if there is a way to get the entire front off, since that is where all of the controls are and I don’t see any screws. From what I can see, it seems like either the piece the light goes through is too far left, or the light is coming in too far right.

[Maurice Leakey]

I have been running it. Just a sliver of light on Super 8 and none on regular 8.

Note that the film frames of regular 8 and Super 8 are not the same size. Also, the frame line is in a different position on each film stock

8mm vs Super 8 Film, What’s the Difference? | DVD Your Memories

Therefore, the projector has a Framer control knob. This physically moves a plate with different sized frames. So move the framer knob to see if there is a problem.

From the photos it appears that the inside mechanism is bone dry, I mean not lubricated. Perhaps a touch of some little lubrication can assist in the movement of some stubborn parts.

[Tiffany Rokeby]

Thanks for the help. Going in, I did know the difference between Super 8 and Regular 8. It’s one of the few thing I did know before going in. Framing helped a little, but not much. As for lubrication, the manual says never to oil it, and the projector should be lubricated for life. I am aware it is getting up there in age though. Should I lubricate it? If so, are there any specific chemicals that I should use?

[Tiffany Rokeby]

I wasn’t even alive when these projectors were popular, hence my inexperience.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Hi!

Unless there’s something broken, I would assume that the previous owner used an incorrect light bulb (same socket, but different position for the reflector/filament) or forgot to reposition the bulb after replacing it (on some projectors, you can loosen some screws and then rotate/move the lamp holder to adapt the projector to the bulb).
Other than this, the projector could be in a „cleaning state“ or „film removal state“. (E.g. on some projectors, you can swing the lens out of the path.) Do you have got a manual? It should explain these steps.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

BTW: is the three bladed shutter moving when the projector is running? The blades‘ purpose is to block the light from passing through the film and lens while the film is transported to the next frame. When the shutter is stuck, then it depends on its position whether you will have no light or only a fraction of the light or an image that is completely blurry.

[Tiffany Rokeby]

There is nothing in the manual about other modes, other than the forward/rewind switch. I think the shutter is working, but I will check later today. I don’t think it’s the bulb, as the projector worked fine recently, and I haven’t turned/touched/replaced the bulb.

[Maurice Leakey]

....Should I lubricate it? If so, are there any specific chemicals that I should use?...

A few touches of light oil designed for sewing machines could be applied to some working parts, but don't overdo it.

Unique Creativ Sewing Machine Oil | Walmart Canada

[Tiffany Rokeby]

I don’t see how adding lubricant will change where the light is coming from. All of the moving parts seem to move.