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Topic: Center Platter - "Wobbles"

Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 06-19-2000 08:54 AM

I've got a Christie AW2 with those "fiberglass" platter decks. The upper & lower decks run smooth, both the center deck "wobbles". What would cause this??

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-19-2000 10:46 AM

Wobbles in what way?

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Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 06-19-2000 11:48 AM

As the platter deck is spinning, it rises and lowers (like a shaft is bent)from side to side.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-19-2000 12:27 PM

These platter do warp easily. Replacement is the real only cure. Someone may have leaned on it at some time or set something heavy on it.
You can also check to see if the axel bolted to the arm is tight too, but the warping thing has always been an issue with these platters.
Mark

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 06-19-2000 08:17 PM

Does anyone have NOS parts for AW-2s? Those haven't been made for over 20 years or more.

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Better Projection Pays!

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John Walsh
Film God

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

posted 06-19-2000 09:29 PM

That's the one with Formica decks, with a take-up control arm with a roller that sticks up next to each deck? Has a screendoor spring on the take-up control arm?

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Dave Bird
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 777
From: Perth, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 06-19-2000 09:32 PM

Speaking of putting weight on platters. I was among ten cars last night at a local drive-in so we toured the booth. I wondered why the platter they'd bought last year wasn't hooked up yet. Oh, he says, we hooked it up and it wouldn't turn and then caused an electrical fire. No sh**, all last year, it collected more and more old sound amps, cleaners, speakers etc. Then again, they also added a huge, brightly lit
Coke machine facing the screen. ARRRG

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Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 06-20-2000 07:59 AM

I can clarify more specifically. The platter is a Christie Autowind "Xenolite" - Model CFH 52-3, S/N # 195.

Yes it is the one with the Hydraulic "door closers" with the rollers at the edge of each platter. I've contacted Christie trying to locate a manual, but I'm still waiting for a return call.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-20-2000 08:58 AM

Geez, We are a Christie dealer and we are also waiting for a return call. I know the feeling.
Mark

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Scott D. Neff
Theatre Dork

Posts: 919
From: San Francisco, CA
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 06-20-2000 01:32 PM

My AW3 - that's right AW3 - a few disks wobble on it --- what's with that?

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Scott D. Neff
----------------
www.cinema-west.com

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-20-2000 06:44 PM

Unless you have a platter that's a variation I don't know of, that manual is right here for download.

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Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 06-21-2000 08:13 AM

I finally talked to an engineer @ Christie yesterday afternoon.
My platter is officialy considered "antique". Although they still work, I was informed it's almost 30 years old. He said it was one of the "original" Autowind models, and was NOT designed to last this long.

He said the manual is available from Christie, but I need to order it through my authorized Christie dealer.

Next question.... who wants to be my "authorized Christie dealer"??

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John Walsh
Film God

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

posted 06-21-2000 08:50 AM

When the platter deck wobbles, I find that most of the time it's because someone dropped a print on it. Or, one person tried to put a print on and couldn't 'control' it, and leaned heavily on the deck.

I can tell because it's usually it's the center deck.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

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

posted 06-21-2000 09:08 AM

You will probably find that you are SOL at getting christie parts even the screendoor closure was not a off the shelf item
Try removing the deck and check the bearings for slop the sleeve the are mounted in and the shaft they ride on for grooves

If they are all OK flip the platter deck upside down on the floor and measure the angle of the bore and the trueness of the surface.

In the long run you would be wise to get either a new or a newer platter and turn this one into 3 patio table tops

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Trevor Bailey
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 113
From: Woonsocket, RI
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-21-2000 11:41 AM

Scott,

AW3 (and AW3R) decks usually wobble because the center of the deck (that slides onto the axle) has become separated from the rest of the deck.

I have repaired several AW3's with this problem. There is a reinforcement kit available that can remedy this situation. It's easy to install and costs a lot less than a new deck (email me for info).

You should look at how bad the wobble is. If the deck can ride up over the drive wheel, then it's probably time to do something about it.

Now, one caveat to this: There was a reinforcement kit that was used years ago that replaced the whole center part of the deck. This kit is not compatible with the newer type I have seen. However, with this older type, you may be able to "re-glue" it to the deck.

Regards,
Trevor

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