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Author Topic: Help with a Simplex XL Eric Womack Film Handler Posts: 23 From: Pickerington, Ohio Registered: Aug 2007 posted 06-26-2008 03:41 PM                     I have a Simplex XL projector that has a focus knob that is almost impossible to turn to focus. Any ideas on what the adjustment is that need to be made? Is this a work part issue?  |  IP: Logged Richard May Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1057 From: Floral Park, NY USA Registered: Aug 2004 posted 06-26-2008 04:27 PM                     Had many like that. Could be a couple things. There is an allen key on top of the barrel inside the projector. It tightens the top of the barrel around a rail which it slides on. Make sure it's not overtightend. Also make sure it's nnot all gummed up. The whole mechanism may also be gummed up. I have had that too. On front of the projector, take out the 4 allens that hold the focus knob assembly in place. Pull out the whole assembly and clean it.  |  IP: Logged Eric Womack Film Handler Posts: 23 From: Pickerington, Ohio Registered: Aug 2007 posted 06-26-2008 04:44 PM                     Thanks Richard, I'll give that a shot.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 06-26-2008 04:54 PM                       Take it apart NOW, while you can still turn the shaft. Clean and lightly lubricate the assembly. There is the threaded focus knob shaft, and the larger shaft around it that gets crudded up over time. Remove the rear focus knob shaft cover (has two Allen screws holding the round plate on). Then unscrew the plate (Note, this is left-hand threaded and actually screws INTO the rear of the focus knob shaft). Remove the four screws from the small focus shaft casting on the front of the projector (just behind the focus knob). Then, unscrew the shaft and you can pull the lens holder out at that point. I also remove the trap/gate latch assembly out, too, which makes room to get the lens holder out. (I hope I got this all right from memory...) Otherwise, you will just about have to cut the thing out of there to replace it. Really. Do it now.  |  IP: Logged Eric Womack Film Handler Posts: 23 From: Pickerington, Ohio Registered: Aug 2007 posted 06-26-2008 06:20 PM                     Thanks Tim, I have it scheduled to be done on tomorrow.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 06-26-2008 09:51 PM                     just a small dumb wonder - would the tension adjustment knob below the lens barrel holder be too tight on the focus knob thread?  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 06-26-2008 10:28 PM                        Nah! Never that simple...usually the top part is way too tight! Louis  |  IP: Logged Eric Womack Film Handler Posts: 23 From: Pickerington, Ohio Registered: Aug 2007 posted 06-27-2008 05:20 PM                     Tim was correct. these projectors where installed in 1941. They where a little seized up. Took the whole thing apart and cleaned and oiled the thing and reassembled. turns like new. In case you are wondering the projectors are still in the original booth ans theater they where installed in.  |  IP: Logged Richard Fowler Film God Posts: 2392 From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Registered: Jun 2001 posted 06-27-2008 05:51 PM                     Maybe the soundheads in 1941.....XL heads are post World War II  |  IP: Logged System Notices Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi Posts: 215 Registered: Apr 2004 posted 08-30-2010 05:43 PM                 It has been 793 days since the last post.  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 08-30-2010 05:43 PM                        I am having the opposite problem. The focus knob moves too easily. This projector has not been used for a while. My concern is that lens may come out of focus b/c the knob moves very easily. Is this a valid concern?  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 08-30-2010 05:46 PM                        Try tightening the silver knob that lives underneath the lens inside the projector. Be sure not to over-tighten.  |  IP: Logged

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