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This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
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Author
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Topic: Simplex Oil/Lube Questions
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-27-2001 08:17 AM
Don't use soundhead oil in the picture head. It's too thick and will likely damage something. (Someone else will be able to say _why_ this is bad, but I've just been told to Not Try That by people who know what they're talking about.
As for oiling schedule--if it's anything like the Super Simplex, you pretty much need to oil it all the time. As in, every couple of reels. Just add a few drops to each of the oil tubes, and you should be all set. As long as the intermittent oil is filled about halfway up the glass, you don't need to fill it, but you should probably change the oil at least once or twice a year by draining it and re-filling the intermittent.
I don't know about Simplex lube. I've used Century gear grease without problems on a Super.
With respect to dealers, I've been happy with Cardinal Sound in Beltsville, MD. and Boston Light and Sound in Boston, MA. There are probably many others who will deal with hobbyists as well. Actually, I'm surprised that you've had difficulty in finding a dealer who will sell to individuals...I'd think that any dealer should be happy to take your money...
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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 01-27-2001 03:37 PM
As some of the gentlemen said, don't use motor oil of any kind in the projector head. However, I have used Capella (refrigeration compressor oil) in the projector heads for years without any problems. There are about 2 or three viscositys out there - use the lightest possible.If you are running Brenkerts, don't use Simplex oil unless you are in a bind. The Brenkert oil is very thin, and it will lubricate the shutter shaft bushings, etc. much better than Simplex oil will. I have used aircraft hydraulic fluid in Brenkerts, and it seems to work ok, but I don't know in the long run how it would react. But it seemed to be better than Simplex oil. However, to be on the safe side, don't dump any oil in your projector head unless it is recommended by the manufacturer. Correct oil is cheap as compared to the cost of rebuilding the movement.  Paul
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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 01-28-2001 03:06 PM
Mark, there was a booth I ran relief operator in Oakland, Ca. The projectors were Simplex E-7's, and the regular operator used a concoption of Marvel Mystery Oil with Simplex oil. It was very impressive how easy it was to roll forward by hand, not to mention the run-down time of 30 seconds or more. The machines ran trouble free for years, nothing seemed to wear out, other than sprockets, pressure pads, etc. The projectionist that used that was using it for many years in his machines, and never lost a movement or any gears. In fact, those machines were so quiet, all you could hear was the shutter moving air. Loop noise was so minimual you would never know it was running film. It was the old UA theater on Telegraph Avenue, I think....Been a long time.
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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man
Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 01-28-2001 03:21 PM
David, A suggestion for the Soundheads only:First, when you check the oil level, make sure you break the vacuum lock, and wait a minute or so for the oil to settle. Since you are dealing with 30 or 40 weight non-detergent motor oil in the soundheads, and if the level is low, you might have to force feed it with your oil can. I found the best way to get the correct oil level is to literally over-fill it, and let it sit over night, and the excessive oil will leak out into your cookie pan (or whatever) you have under the projector. Then the next day, make sure you break the vacuum lock again, let the oil settle once more for a few minutes, and make a note of where the level is in the sight glass. Then run your level about a sixteenth of an inch or so below that. There have been many gears lost in the soundhead because the projectionist did not break the vacuum lock proir to checking the oil level. You break the vacuum lock by simply lifting the cap on the oil tube, or with the RCA sound heads, just loosen the cap so air can get in, if so equipped with that type of sight glass/oil tube.
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John Eickhof
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 588
From: Wendell, ID USA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 01-28-2001 04:35 PM
I would take Paul's advice! NEVER use a parafin based oil in a projector! IE: Motor oil OF ANY KIND! The tolorances are such that parafin will build up and dry out the bearings / shafts. Thus, galding & bindups will occur! Capella (Texaco) Type G was originally the oil supplied in Simplex containers since 1913, (It was 7.5 weight, WAX FREE oil) Unfortunately, about 15 years ago, Texaco stopped the 7.5 wt, they now sell
Capella WF-32 (ISO 32 wt, about 9 wt) This is IDEAL for intermittents of all types, as well as general projector head lubrication. Wax free oils do not tend to attract dust. The soundhead gearbox oil is Capella WF-100 (100 ISO or 30 WT) La Vezzi's oil is great! But your local Texaco jobber can supply Capella WF 32 or 100 at about $8.00 / GALLON! It was always specified in Simplex, Century & other manufacturer's instructions to use a wax free oil. I too have seen Marvel oil mixed 20%-80% with WF-32 and I have seen 30 wt NON DETERGENT mixed 60%-40% with STP used in RCA & Simplex soundheads, with GREAT RESULTS! ------------------
John Eickhof President, Chief Slave
Northwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc.
P.O.Box 258
Wendell, ID. 83355-0258
208-536-5489
email: jeickhof@nteequip.com
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