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Topic: What is the oldest projector you are running?

Louis Belloisy
Film Handler

Posts: 89
From: morris, ct usa
Registered: Jun 2006

posted 11-08-2008 01:02 PM

We have two very nice Victoria 4 E's. Manufacture date for the both is February of 1968 by Cinemeccnica of Milan Italy.
We also have the original lamphouse with the glass reflectors.

Units play in analog only with converted sound heads. Both are trouble free and the easiest to thread for new projectionists. Lamps were originally 1000 watt, now converted to 1600 watts.

We also have 4 simplex units made in the mid 1980's, no where as reliable as the Victorias.

We just recently got rid of two Victoria 5's due to lack of parts and lack of reliability.

Louis

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 4255
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 11-08-2008 01:13 PM

I ran a quad of V4E units in a twin that was still 6k reel with auto changeover setup in the early 70's. Units were using 1600w bulbs in that vertical setup.

Later on, UA bought this twin in 1976 and split it to make a 4plex. the Cinemeccanica units were also split up to accept AW2 platters.

True, wonderful machines, but remember that they were leakers since they used the XL oil bath setup. Yet, never had any problems with their either.

In 1977, I graduated up to V5's and problems began with the belt breakage on occasion at a 3plex that also the 4X4, 13k reel tower.

In 1984, I moved up to a 4plex playing with another quad of V5's with the same belt problems. At least the platters were very reliable (DrIn LP-270s)

In 1991, back to another twin with V8's with the V18 setup with the 13k reel rear transport along with Strong AP3 platters - kinda a dual transport availability.

But, mainly did Simplex - from Standard to Mil2k machines.

-Monte

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Louis Belloisy
Film Handler

Posts: 89
From: morris, ct usa
Registered: Jun 2006

posted 11-08-2008 01:44 PM

Yes, Monte, I forgo to mention that they leak badly. We never have to change the oil, since we are always adding new oil. I have an oil mat around both units to catch the errant oil.

lou

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Aaron Mehocic
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 689
From: New Castle, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-08-2008 02:47 PM

Currently running a SH-1000 soundhead manufactured in 1939. Also have a pair of Century "C" heads probably made right after World War II. All equipment used daily and is extremely reliable. No 15 year life expectancy ratings here. [Razz]

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Catalin Balaceanu
Film Handler

Posts: 15
From: Pascani, Iasi, Romania
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 11-08-2008 03:18 PM

I use two 1967 romanian made projectors. They were produced by a company called I.O.R. which nowadays they make military and medical optics.

The projectors were updated with analog SR sound, soon to be upgraded with Dolby Digital and SDDS, plus Schneider-Kreuznach optics, after our building renovation will be finished.
What I like about these two projectors, is that they are very quite; even though they have gears and not belts, they purr like a cat...and they don't leak any oil, what so ever.

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 5528
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-08-2008 05:14 PM

V5 parts are hard to find? I thought that the projector was a current-production item, which should mean that parts are readily available.

The oldest equipment that I've run would be a pair of Centurys on Western Electric bases/soundeads with Brenkert Enarc lamphouses. The soundheads and lamphouses are from 1938 (original to the theatre) and the picture heads are from the 1950s. This equipment is in daily use. I've also run Super Simplex heads from the 1930s on RCA 9030 soundheads (1950s?) in a different theatre.

The newest equipment that I've run would be a pair of Kinoton FP-30Ds built in 2006.

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Louis Bornwasser
Film God

Posts: 2064
From: prospect ky usa
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 11-08-2008 05:18 PM

In general, I prefer gears to belts.

We are installing SH-1000 and Century C in a 3 screen add on to an existing 11 plex. Using the Kelmar auto turret and Dolby Digital basement readers. All 14 are the same, very reliable, overhauled by Hadden. Would pass for new, except no reliability problems.

In the Indianapolis Museum of Art, "black" XL's with XL gear driven soundheads.

Nothing above is any newer than 1960; could be from the early 1940s onward.

Sound/automation/xenon is new. Louis

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Stephen Furley
Film God

Posts: 2166
From: Coulsdon, Croydon, England
Registered: May 2002

posted 11-08-2008 06:19 PM

quote: Scott Norwood
The oldest equipment that I've run would be a pair of Centurys on Western Electric bases/soundeads with Brenkert Enarc lamphouses. The soundheads and lamphouses are from 1938 (original to the theatre) and the picture heads are from the 1950s. This equipment is in daily use.

Scott,

Is this at the Avon? If so, one of our lecturers is from RI and knows the place, though he's lived in the UK for many years now.

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Bill Enos
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1522
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 11-08-2008 06:57 PM

Right now we're running a pair of XL PR1003s made in mid '52 each has an SH1000 from late '41.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 7866
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-08-2008 07:09 PM

I have never had issues getting parts for any cinemecanica product
If the belts are replaced yearly and the proper speed control to control start and stop ramps are used they don't break belts or loose gearboxes

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 5528
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-08-2008 09:41 PM

Stephen -- yes, that would be at the Avon.

I should also add that there are many Century Cs still in service in many theatres and most (all?) of those would date from the 1950s or earlier.

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Tony Bandiera Jr
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 625
From: Hawthorne CA USA..too close to Phil...
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 11-08-2008 11:36 PM

My personal projector is an XL with serial number 128, the Black IPC model. It runs super smooth and quiet. Rock steady image and it doesn't leak oil.

Wasn't there a thread somewhere here that listed the serial number ranges for Simplex?

I knew Howard Strait (I hope I got the last name right) one of the chief folks responsible for the XL and some other Simplex gear. He was a wonderful person and a genius when it came to working on Simplex.

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Pete Naples
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Dunfermline, Scotland
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 11-09-2008 06:12 AM

There's plenty of pre-CinemaScope Westars round here, you cna spot them easily, Mobel A or B, low serial number and all manner of file marks round the lens hole in the casting where it was modified for 'Scope. That puts such machines pre 1952 I think.

One in the Cameo in Edinburgh has some paperwork dated 1955, still running beautifully. It's been updated somewhat, CE reverse scan, curved gate and timing belt primary drive replaced the twin vee belts and chain.

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Jeff Stricker
Master Film Handler

Posts: 440
From: Kokomo, In USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-09-2008 06:52 AM

In my hamshack/screening room still running my Brenkert BX-40 from 1940 and Simplex SH-1000 soundhead from 1941. [thumbsup]

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Film God

Posts: 11451
From: Bountiful, Utah
Registered: Jun 99

posted 11-09-2008 09:14 AM

Although I don't run film I service over a dozen Super Simplex's, an E-7, and many Brenkert BX series that are still in use on my service routes. All will very likely last until the end of film which is just a very short while away.

Mark

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