Help Fixing/Threading a Super 8 Projector

sophisee · Mar 10, 2015

I was wondering if anyone has experience threading a super 8 projector and finding that the film gets stuck about 10cm in, before it moves to the rear of the projector to be taken up by the spool.
I've recently bought a John Frost Plus O Matic 202 projector that threaded fine this morning, but upon trying it a second time has jammed (perhaps?).

Any help would be much appreciated.

Alex Muir · Mar 10, 2015

I use a Eumig 501 which is an auto-threader. It works perfectly every time. It has a film leader trimmer built in to the projector. I assume that trimming the leader to shape is necessary for the auto threading feature. Perhaps you need to do something similar? Some machines came with a separate trimmer. Have a look at the instructions, if you have a copy. The trimmer on mine is a slot located below the lens. You push the leader in and depress a small lever to cut the film. It takes the corners off. If you don't have a trimmer, you could try cutting an angle off each corner to see if that helps.
Alex.

bsdunek · Mar 10, 2015

My DeJur loads fine each time. As Alex says, look for a leader trimmer. On the DeJur it's located on one of the feet. Just stick the end of the leader in and press. Perfect trim and loading every time. Oh, and make sure the film isn't kinked at the end. It should be straight.

removed account4 · Mar 10, 2015

if you get in a real bind ( pardon the pun )
if he is still around, martin bugmartin in plattsburgh new york is the person
to send 8mm projectors to for a CLA/ maintenance.
i had a person near me for years who worked on stuff like this,
but he passed away a few years ago

not sure if you know the meta-directory
but https://web.archive.org/web/20071221095837/http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/569
it is thanks to mr peabody and sherman ... a few years old but maybe it is of some help...

AgX · Mar 10, 2015

Try cutting the corners at the end of the strip (some projectors even got a mounted clipper to do so. Though not all need that cutting).

Try to thread the film manually all through before starting.

Buy another projector... (Though most have deteriorated drive belts.)

sophisee · Mar 11, 2015

Yes, the projector has a trimmer but even that doesn't work. Unless I'm somehow trimming it wrong? It just turned the end into a uniform curve, again this worked the first time.
I've tried to take the casing off so I can see how the threading works, but it's so tucked away that I can't really see anything.
If the first time was a fluke, could I fluke it again? Haha, maybe eventually.
Sending it to New York would be too expensive for me, I'm from the UK so I'd probably be better off buying a new projector if that was the only option.
Thanks for your help guys.

Alex Muir · Mar 11, 2015

It sounds like some part of the internal mechanism may be dirty and causing the film to stick. Have you tried another film to see if it is some issue with the film rather than the machine? I have had a couple of the Eumig 501s and they have been fine. They are quite popular in the UK, and should be inexpensive. There is a seller on UK ebay who sells lots of projector belts should you ever need one.
Alex.

removed account4 · Mar 11, 2015

oops !
i didn't see where you were from,
i thought you were local/US ..

the meta-diorectory might have someone in your neck of the woods ..

sorry + good luck
john

sophisee · Mar 12, 2015

Hey don't worry about it, I'll check it out

Help Fixing/Threading a Super 8 Projector

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