Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Screwed By A Super-Simplex

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Topic: Screwed By A Super-Simplex

Colin Wiseley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 123
From: Blacksburg, VA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-29-2000 07:30 PM

I'm in the process of rebuilding a Super Simplex and managed to break the screw that holds on the lower sprocket. (see pics below). Any ideas on how to get this thing off? The gear on the other end of the shaft doesn't want to move either. Am I SOL?

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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA www.thelyric.com

Erich Loepke
Film Handler

Posts: 43
From: Ft. Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 05-29-2000 07:45 PM

Here's something you might want to try if you have space in the mechanism to do it: Use a small pin punch and hammer and tap on the edge of the broken screw head and see if it will loosen up enough to remove it with pliers or a pair of tweezers. Give the screw a good shot of penetrating oil (I use LPS 2).

Failing that, the only other thing I can think of is to drill out the screw and run a tap through the threads in the sprocket shaft to clean them out.

I'm cleaning up my Motiograph AAA (no broken screws yet, fingers crossed). I'm running into my fair share of disassembly problems, though, like stuck gears and taper pins that just won't come out. Anyone know how to get the intermittent sprocket off this beast? The AA manual shows a slightly different construction than what I have.

John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 05-29-2000 08:09 PM

You can buy small left-hand drills. Use an automatic center punch and punch a dimple as close to the center as you can. If the broken surface is uneven, you might be able to put a dimple in the center by holding the punch on an angle.

Get a small left-hand drill and drill carefully into the screw at the dimple. If it's not actually jammed in there, it might come out just while drilling. Otherwise, anfter you've drilled a small hole, try a larger one until the hole is large enough to use an easy-out.

Luther M. Spencer
Film Handler

Posts: 33
From: North Charleston,SC, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-29-2000 08:13 PM

I had this happen before..On a different kind of machine,,,.What I did (Of course it might ruin the sprocket)..But if your careful it shouldn't.....Was to use a dremel with a thin cutting wheel and cut a new slot deeper..In the screw....Then use a good screwdriver to take it out..Hope this helps.....I just Rebuilt a Early Model Ballantyne ( Made like a Super Simplex,,,Uses the same Intermittant and gears) Runs like a charm!!!...Mike

Pete Lawrence
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 192
From: Middleburg, PA
Registered: Aug 1999

posted 05-29-2000 08:14 PM

Colin,
There is a tool called an "easy-out" available from machine tool suppliers and better auto parts stores. They come in various sizes. The way it works is you drill a hole in the screw slightly smaller than the threads. Then screw the "easy-out" into the hole counter-clockwise. In theory, the tool will grab the inside of the screw and un-thread it. I've had mixed results with these, but if you stay away from the cheap copies they work pretty well. By the way, that's a great restoration at the Lyric Theatre. You all are to be congratulated.

Pete

Colin Wiseley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 123
From: Blacksburg, VA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-30-2000 06:30 AM

Thanks for all of the tips guys. I can grip it pretty well with a pair of pliers so I'll buy some penetrating oil today and let it sit overnight and then hopefully I'll be able to get it out. If not, I guess I'll have to drill it out.

------------------
Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-30-2000 07:18 AM

Hey, I'll give you a heck of a deal on a new X-L Head. That Super saw its useful life end at least several decades ago.
Mark

Colin Wiseley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 123
From: Blacksburg, VA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-30-2000 07:33 AM

Thanks, but we plan on using the Super as a working display unit in the lobby, unless you'd like to donate the XL...

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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com

Luther M. Spencer
Film Handler

Posts: 33
From: North Charleston,SC, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-30-2000 01:03 PM

MARK...What is a heck of a deal...on the XL?..........MIKE

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-30-2000 02:07 PM

Use a dremel tool and a small cutting bit to cut a new slot in the head

Jeff Stricker
Master Film Handler

Posts: 481
From: Calumet, Mi USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 05-30-2000 03:58 PM

If there is enough protruding, don't grab it with ordinary pliers. Use a small vise-grip to grab it tightly and back it out.

Josh Jones
Redhat

Posts: 1207
From: Plano, TX
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 05-30-2000 09:15 PM

Mark,

What do you mean that super saw the end of it's usefull life 20 years ago? Supers are great machines, if you enjoy mopping up all the oil that runs right through them as water
In fact, theres a multiplex in Bemiji MN that still runs one

Josh

Colin Wiseley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 123
From: Blacksburg, VA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 05-31-2000 06:23 AM

The penetrating oil did the trick. I applied a couple of drops last night, and this morning the screw turned easily with just a pair of needle-nose pliers and then the sprocket popped off. That was the last part I needed to take off. I hope I can remember how to put this thing back together after I get all of the parts cleaned up

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Colin Wiseley
Lyric Theatre
Blacksburg, VA
www.thelyric.com

Ken Layton
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1452
From: Olympia, Wash. USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 05-31-2000 07:54 AM

Manuals are available to download to help you if you forgot how it went together.

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 05-31-2000 10:16 AM

Hi Josh,
I was actually just kidding. Actually Supers can put out decent images if finely tuned. Many, many are still running around the world. BTW: I heard that they are still using limelight up there in Bemiji. Is that true?
Mark

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