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Author Topic: Pro-35 and their "issues" Jeff Knoll Film Handler Posts: 26 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Feb 2002 posted 12-14-2009 09:30 PM                        We have a bunch of early Bal Pro-35s in service and we need to replace them. We have a line on some late model Strong Pro-35s that will fit our budget but I am curious is the intermittent coupling issue was resolved or whether these newer units will end up having the same issues. Thanks! Jeff  |  IP: Logged Michael Voiland Expert Film Handler Posts: 219 From: Naperville, IL US Registered: Aug 2009 posted 12-15-2009 01:13 AM                     We just had the couplings in one of our pro 35s replaced its from 89 i know we have some ones from the 70s without the turret that had the same issue. I think avg life on the coupling is like 15 years.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-15-2009 10:29 AM                     If people don't rack the framer all the time I have had few coupler issues and we still have a lot of old VIPs in service  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-15-2009 12:11 PM                     ..in short.."please learn how to frame when threading.." I also know of some older PROs that still have their original couplers.. ..it's the danged selenoid that holds the dowser open that gets me at times.. -Monte  |  IP: Logged Michael Voiland Expert Film Handler Posts: 219 From: Naperville, IL US Registered: Aug 2009 posted 12-15-2009 03:37 PM                     We thread in frame but the coupler wares out after 20 years. And we had a solenoid go out a few months ago... its still held open with a bent up coat hanger. Do you know the best place to get a replacement.  |  IP: Logged Jeff Knoll Film Handler Posts: 26 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Feb 2002 posted 12-15-2009 04:20 PM                        Thanks. Thanks! Appreciate the feedback.  |  IP: Logged Sean McKinnon Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1712 From: Peabody Massachusetts Registered: Sep 2000 posted 12-15-2009 06:39 PM                        I am curious as to why you have to replace them? I could see if you wanted to get out of the pro 35 business but W\why not just replace the coupler or better yet upgrade to the "Disney" version which should last forever instead of replacing the whole machine? (Im waiting to hear how the equipment dealer told him the could not be repaired and had to be replaced...)  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-15-2009 08:26 PM                        Plenty of used Century/Simplex around. Why not shoot for an improvement? Louis  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 12-15-2009 08:49 PM                     Forget installing any of the Ballantoones! Certain gate/trap parts are now non existant and the machine is really at the end of it's useful service life. On top of that none of the steel parts in them are hardened. They are all soft steel... so if you happen to have a film jam or pile up in the machine you'll bend the radius of the star wheel and damage it among other things. Even the webbed version of the star doesn't preclude this happenning. Price some of the intermttent parts on the LaVezzi Store website! You generally don't have this sort of trouble with Simplex and Century and parts for them are plentiful from several sources. Ballantoones were only so-so machines when they were new!! Mark  |  IP: Logged Randy Bowden Expert Film Handler Posts: 146 From: Portland, OR, USA Registered: Aug 2000 posted 12-16-2009 01:57 AM                     Funny you should bring that up Mark...I just replaced a pro-35 Intermittent today, and a soundhead sprocket shaft (also notorius for wearing out) They are indeed getting more and more expensive to repair. Unless you are getting machines that someone has gone through recently...don't bother.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 12-16-2009 07:33 AM                        Always reminded me of "Ballantyne the Magician." You know, the old lecherous stage magician whose tricks never worked out right; great comedy act back in the 60s or 70s. Louis  |  IP: Logged Richard Hamilton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1341 From: Evansville, Indiana Registered: Jan 2000 posted 12-16-2009 09:38 AM                     quote: Jeff Knoll We have a bunch of early Bal Pro-35s in service and we need to replace them. We have a line on some late model Strong Pro-35s ???? Why would you have to replace machines that are in service?  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 12-16-2009 11:28 AM                        Parts! I replaced some gate shoes once... they had none in stock... had to have them made. Just about could have bought a Century for what that fix cost me.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 12-16-2009 01:20 PM                     ..like having a YUGO up in the booth...gonna get replaced sooner or later..  |  IP: Logged Paul Mayer Oh get out of it Melvin, before it pulls you under! Posts: 3836 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Feb 2000 posted 12-16-2009 01:42 PM                        Yugo. Great car. Zero to 60 in four tries. My only experience with Bals was while occasionally helping out in the complete Ballantyne package booth at the long-gone Spring Mountain 3 here. From what I remember I wasn't much impressed with their operation - especially the platters. It was a quick and cheap install though, good enough for that "three movies for a dollar" house.  |  IP: Logged

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