How to Repair a Bell & Howell Super 8mm Projector
Super 8 film must pass through a film gate in order for the projection bulb to illuminate it. A broken off piece of Super 8 film jammed inside the film gate will cause the projector to cease functioning. You can fix a Bell and Howell Super 8 projector so it will again function normally by removing the broken off piece of film. A few tools will be needed but the projection will not have to be disassembled.
Instructions
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1
Press down on the button on the projector's top case with one hand. Pull the mechanism cover off the side of the projector facing you with the other hand. Place the film cover aside for later. Pull the film reel arm that's lying horizontally up and to the right until it clicks into position.
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2
Slide the "Direction" lever on the control panel at the base of the projector to the center setting. Return all of the other control knobs to the "Off" position.
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3
Pull the lamp cover off the projection lens with your fingers---the cover is at the top right of the projector, with half of the lens extruding out of its right side. Place the lamp cover aside for later.
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4
Press down on the spring plate at the bottom of the film gate beneath the projection lens with your right hand (reverse this for "lefties").
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5
Grip the broken off piece of Super 8 film that is wrapped around the sprocket to the left of the spring plate with the jaws of a tweezers. Pull the broken film out of the sprockets to the left and above the spring plate that it is wrapped around. Remove the Super 8 film from the projector and dispose of it in the trash. Release the spring plate.
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Blow out the film gate with a burst of compressed air. Place the lamp cover back over the film gate. Push the cover against the projector to reengage it in position. Slide the "Direction" lever on the control panel all the way to the left.
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7
Place the mechanism cover back on the projector. Press the button at the base of the film reel arm that is above the film gate. Push the film reel arm to the left to return it to its horizontal placement.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful not to scratch the projection lens with the tweezers.
References
Resources
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