Elmo purchase question

[Alan Myers]

Recently I enquired about light output on my Eumig 807. Having thought about it I think I would like to consider purchasing an Elmo as mentioned by Maurice. These seem to be a good machine but I see there is the 1200 and also the 1200D and HD. I assume the HD to be the later models and there are quite a few for sale most of the time. The prices vary a lot.
There was one advertised with very cheap as "working good but has slow start up".
Is this something that can be rectified easily?

[Chip Gelmini]

Hopefully with new belts perhaps
However if the direct drive pullies are shot that could be more difficult repair. It basically comes down to spare parts and qualified technicians to do the job

[Maurice Leakey]

Alan
Have a look at this Van Eck site.
It describes the five versions of the Elmo ST-1200.
Spare part finder - Van Eck Video Services (van-eck.net)

[Alan Myers]

Thank you Maurice/Chip,

I think trying to find someone who can service any projector these days is near on impossible.

Looking at the Elmo machine's, they seem to have what I'm looking for, bigger reel capacity, a brighter bulb as standard, and I'm assuming, if I can find one with a 1:1 lens then I'm there. As I understand it, the sound output on these projectors is also very good and far outweighs what my little Eumig 807 can put out.
The one thing I've never liked on my trusty Eumig is the hum once you get passed a third on the volume.
I will keep my eyes open.
Who does servicing these days? Any ideas welcomed.

[Phil Moors]

Alan my first projector was a Eumig 807D, purchased in 1977, it still runs flawlessly today. My other projector is an Elmo ST180m it has needed numerous repairs and replacements over the years. If you look at this forum all you see is tutorials for replacing Elmo projector parts, faulty motors, wear of the cheap plastic film path parts etc. Compared to Eumig build quality Elmo are inferior. Their projectors when new were excellent but have not stood the test of time. Eumig have, with even their early 1960’s machines still performing. I believe you can get a 1.0 Eumig prime lense to improve brightness.

Eumig go the distance!

[Maurice Leakey]

.....Thank you Maurice, who does servicing these days? Any ideas welcomed...

Alan
John White has a good reputation for projector repairs.
John White Projector Repair | Welcome (the8mmshedshop.co.uk)

[Alan Myers]

Thank you for the replies on this thread.
Here are my thoughts,
While the Elmo ST180, (& 600) seem like pretty good machines, they are restricted to the smaller bulb, (100w) and 600ft reel capacity, but I have been looking at the 1200HD and it seems a really good sturdy, well built projector. I also rang one of the dealers today to ask about these and I am told that as long as they are serviced and worn parts replaced, they seem to be the projector of choice, there appears to a lot of them around., the dealer even had two for sale but a little over what I wish to pay.
I have had a Eumig for many years but now but what few feature films I have, I want to to put them on bigger reels so they are only two, maybe three parts instead of four of six. That aside, I now have to keep cleaning the rubber discs to keep the speed working correctly as it has been slowing down a little lately. What did interest me, and I never really gave it a thought, was when I got talking about perhaps buying another Eumig, maybe a later version, I was reminded that with Eumigs, there are easily broken claws, cracked motor mounts, and the rubber speed disc slipping, and this primitive method is even used on the newer models with added cracked worm gears and unsteady image. I was also reminded, (and have now checked on-line) that service manuals for Elmo projectors are easily obtained for free, but I have to admit, I cannot find a service manual for my Eumig, at least not without having to pay so I will definatly upgrade and treat myself.
I have been looking online at many projector reports and the Elmos seem to come out well, especially for light and sound output. I have looked at other makes as well, but I will have a think and perhaps feedback on here as and when. It wont be for a while yet, but I will keep hold of the Eumig as a spare and give it a rest. Hopefully that will do it some good, although the dealer did day to have a crank starting handle at the ready if I dont use it for a while, he was only joking though.

[Shane C. Collins]

Don't let those old motor mounts, and rubber drive discs in the early, and later Eumigs scare you. I have 2 wonderful working early Eumigs, the Mark S Super 8 version, and the Mark S 709. Both run excellent after restoring, and cleaning both machines. The motor mounts are an easy fix. The rubber discs generally can be restored to like new condition. It's easy enough to clean those discs with a rubber restore, or CRC automotive belt dressing, which is what I use. Unless the machine has 1000's of hours, those discs will usually last a long time after restoration. The other nice thing about the early tube Eumigs is their semi auto-loading function. The transports, and film paths on the early machines are very very gentle on film. Also film steadiness is rock solid on both these models. I can highly recommend them both, as well as the Eumig Mark S 701. Plus I should add these early machines use twist-to-focus lenses which are a joy to use, and very precise. The thing to remember is to find early Eumigs with low mileage or ones you know have been taken care of. Any projector no matter the brand will have issues with higher than usual mileage.

[Alan Myers]

Thanks Shane,
It's more of a case of getting something more heavy duty really, something that will take reels twice the size of the Eumig I have, has a better sound output and has the brighter light output. I have also looked at the later Eumigs but again, max reel capacity appears to be 800ft and they do have those awful flimsy slider controls that are so easily broken.
I do like my little Eumig but I think it's time to move onto something hardier. A friend of mine up country has two Elmo's, a 1200HD and also a GS1200, the GS does look very impressive but I think the 1200HD is more than adequate for my use.
He told me that he has had his for ten years now and hasn't looked back since, he use to run a Eumig S940 but had big problems with sliders,(thats where I got my info on these as he is well informed on the Eumig range) a Beaulie which had capstan problems a couple of Bauers which he speaks highly of but explained the benefits of his Elmo, mainly the higher quality sound with no hum, and the bigger light output as well as that 1200 reel capacity. Funnily enough, all the essentials of a projector,

I do wonder if interest in real film is dropping off due to the very few replies on this thread, perhaps like many, I should be looking at the world of 4K. I've just realised there is a thread about what you last watched on blu ray, I thought that quite amusing for a film forum

[Paul Adsett]

Most people on this forum use film and digital projection, happily co-existing side by side. We are all realists, recognizing the convenience and low cost of digital projection, at the same time embracing the unique charm and interest of projected film. Blu ray and 4k are great, but film has that unique and inexplicable magic of its own.

[Alan Myers]

Thanks Paul, no criticism was intended, merely an observation, and yes I agree, todays digital is first rate and with films costing as little as a few pounds/dollars, one would have to be insane to try and ignore it. Personally, one of the reason why I will not be adding many more films to my modest collection is because I am also considering digital projection in the near future as I am done with damaged films costing half the price of a actual digital projector, It's also the reason why I am looking for a more heavy duty projector to show my films now, I need something that I know will last. My Eumig will do us for my few standard 8s and home movies. The Eumig has served me well but I am tired of having to clean up the awful slipping disc when it slows down and with it being 40 years + old I cant see it going on many more years. I do believe good machines are becoming more difficult to find as there are no more good engineers around to fix them, Mr White, who Maurice has pointed me too said he tends to specialise in the Eumigs but can do some servicing on most projectors but spares are a big problem.

[Shane C. Collins]

Thanks Paul, no criticism was intended, merely an observation, and yes I agree, todays digital is first rate and with films costing as little as a few pounds/dollars, one would have to be insane to try and ignore it. Personally, one of the reason why I will not be adding many more films to my modest collection is because I am also considering digital projection in the near future as I am done with damaged films costing half the price of a actual digital projector, It's also the reason why I am looking for a more heavy duty projector to show my films now, I need something that I know will last. My Eumig will do us for my few standard 8s and home movies. The Eumig has served me well but I am tired of having to clean up the awful slipping disc when it slows down and with it being 40 years + old I cant see it going on many more years. I do believe good machines are becoming more difficult to find as there are no more good engineers around to fix them, Mr White, who Maurice has pointed me too said he tends to specialise in the Eumigs but can do some servicing on most projectors but spares are a big problem.

Alan have you tried CRC automotive belt dressing? This stuff works amazingly well on those rubber discs. Its formula is sticky so it applies more grip to the drive wheels. My method is to apply this belt dressing 2 separate times over the course of 2 days. I use a cotton swab to apply the dressing. The first application I allow to set over night. Then I apply the dressing heavily a second time. I did this a year ago on my Eumig Mark S Super 8 projector, and I haven't had to treat it since. Now granted I'm not using my projectors all that much, since I use this machine to show my silent Super 8 home movies. But anyways if you haven't used it, I highly recommend it! It may put a new lease on life for your old Eumig.

[Graham Ritchie]

Alan I would follow Shane advice that should do the trick, if however you still don't have success, then central adjustment of the motor in relation to the drive discs can be done. In the following video I did a while back, it describes in one of the photos how they set things up at the factory. I have adjusted the motor position in a couple of projectors and they now go like little rockets The problem with those series 800 projectors is the focus control, its really hopeless compared with the earlier projectors with a rotating focus, much better.

The down side to all Emo projectors is the green film guides, once worn they will scratch films unlike your Eumig, so be careful what you buy regarding Elmo, fine if you don't mind doing the work yourself on the guides etc. I have a ST1200 my old magnetic only projector bought it in 1979 second hand and have done all the mods, so hopefully it should last for a few more years. The basic ST1200 has a good light output, with a 150 watt lamp, a 1200ft capacity and easy to clean the gate, plus if you fit a 1.1 lens its even better 25% more light on the screen. One projector you should avoid is the GS1200, I know I have two, and they can be a can of worms to fix unless you can do it yourself, that projector is best avoided.

[Alan Myers]

Again, thank you for the replies, it is much appreciated.
Graham, very nice video, and Shane, yes, I have used a rubber restorer which does do the job, but the Eumig is still limited to spool size and as Graham said, the 150w bulb with the 1:1 or 1:0 lens will give a much more satisfactory brightness. As well as that, I have been reading so many threads regarding different machines and the 1200 series of Elmo's always comes out on top with regard to the quality of the sound and with no hum.
I have also read and understood the problem with the green guides so If I do opt to add an Elmo I will ensure that it has been well looked after and serviced. I will also stick to buying from a dealer rather than ebay as many projectors on there look like they've been stored in damp conditions and many sellers are clearly clueless, judging by some of the opening bids for films, it looks as though some of the people selling films are equally as stupid, greedy, thick, or all three rolled into one. To be honest, the whole thing is depressing and I can understand some collectors getting out and just keeping a few films and a projector .

[Shane C. Collins]

Again, thank you for the replies, it is much appreciated.
Graham, very nice video, and Shane, yes, I have used a rubber restorer which does do the job, but the Eumig is still limited to spool size and as Graham said, the 150w bulb with the 1:1 or 1:0 lens will give a much more satisfactory brightness. As well as that, I have been reading so many threads regarding different machines and the 1200 series of Elmo's always comes out on top with regard to the quality of the sound and with no hum.
I have also read and understood the problem with the green guides so If I do opt to add an Elmo I will ensure that it has been well looked after and serviced. I will also stick to buying from a dealer rather than ebay as many projectors on there look like they've been stored in damp conditions and many sellers are clearly clueless, judging by some of the opening bids for films, it looks as though some of the people selling films are equally as stupid, greedy, thick, or all three rolled into one. To be honest, the whole thing is depressing and I can understand some collectors getting out and just keeping a few films and a projector .

Yeah I can understand your frustrations here! I think for me it's a bit different when it comes to film. My main collection is the actual movies I've shot on Super 8 over the last 18 years to present. The simple design, and functions of those early Eumigs work well for home movies. I've also been using a Eumig 1.1 prime lens which has really brightened things up. I project onto a standard tripod screen. The images are a bit smaller with a prime, but I think my movies actually look sharper with a smaller image size instead of a larger blown up image or full screen. I'm usually showing these home movies in a living room that's about 10 feet long. So for that size of room a smaller projected image looks just fine. But in your case it sounds like you're looking to project a rather large image and so a brighter bulb will usually help in this regard. Best of luck, and I hope you find that perfect machine!