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Old 15th Apr 2023, 4:38 pm   #1
elleberquist6
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Default Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help needed

I'm hoping for some advice from experts to get my projector running. It's a Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector, model 550 121669, circa 1963-1969. The projector was purchased as is from Goodwill for $12, previously owned by Oakdale High School. It seems well maintained, so I’m hoping there’s just a small adjustment I can make, or a little part I can replace to resolve the issues I’m having.
Currently, there are 3 problems:
1. The uptake reel turns slowly and will not rewind film, it appears to be covered in black grease.
2. Film does not autoload. I’m not overly troubled by manually loading, but I am mentioning in case there’s a missing part contributing to issue #3.
3. When projecting film, it’s impossible to make out the image. It’s very, very jumpy. I have turned the framer and focusing knob, but this does resolve the issue. It’s almost like the film is running too fast, or the shutter is not properly functioning.
Could a belt be in the wrong position? I have made a cursory examination of the worm gear, but I felt no cracks and it came lubricated with grease.

Video demonstration of the projector and its issues: https://youtu.be/JmNCugCPdyk
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Old 15th Apr 2023, 6:30 pm   #2
Ed_Dinning
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Default Re: Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help ne

Hi, if this is of UK origin you may need to change a motor pulley for it to run on the US mains at 60Hz, not the 50Hz of the UK. This may be the cause of the jumping

Ed
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Old 15th Apr 2023, 6:44 pm   #3
barrymagrec
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Default Re: Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help ne

Bell & Howell was primarily an American company, it`s unlikely many UK versions got to the US.
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Old 15th Apr 2023, 10:14 pm   #4
vidjoman
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Default Re: Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help ne

3. When projecting film, it’s impossible to make out the image. It’s very, very jumpy. I have turned the framer and focusing knob, but this does resolve the issue.

Sound like you haven't got the loops above and below the gate. That is normally formed by the auto load mech.
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Old 16th Apr 2023, 7:44 am   #5
wd40addict
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Default Re: Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help ne

Can you upload a still picture of the loaded projector so that total film path can be seen?
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Old 16th Apr 2023, 8:41 am   #6
Cathovisor
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Default Re: Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help ne

From a friend who's seen this:

"Priority - get a user manual - they're online.

The big problem is that the lens carrier needs to be pushed further in until it clicks into position - it's sticking out at an angle at the moment so the film path is open and won't load properly.

From memory of using these over forty years ago, the film will then lace correctly and the film path will then automatically open to release the top and bottom loops at the right size either if you give the emerging end a slight tug, or when the takeup reel pulls on it.
If you lose either loop due to a bad splice or ripped sprocket at any time, pressing the lever marked 'System Restore' BRIEFLY will restore the loops.

You have the rear arm set in the rewind position. Press in the small button to the right of the base of the arm, and fold the arm to the left and down, and it will then click into the correct takeup position."
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Old 16th Apr 2023, 1:43 pm   #7
af024
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Default Re: Bell & Howell Filmosound Specialist 16mm projector model 550 - advice and help ne

There should be a lever towards the bottom of the projector - half way along. It needs pushing down to enable auto-lace. The film should then exit to the rear (not near the sound drum). Once it reaches there, give the film a little tug and that should take it out of auto-load and into projection mode. I hope that helps.
__________________
Now where on earth did I remove that from?
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