Bell & Howell model 552 Filmosound 16mm projector test

[paulallen34]

can you please tell me what size of reels could it take,i remember having a eumig 8mm projector and cinerex.

[MrGramaphone78]

I also have a Bell and Howell 16mm projector with a cracked worm gear. Now that it is 2 years after this video was posted, how is the JB Weld holding out? I might try it on my projector, but I would like to know how well it would work.

Thanks.

[hylander07]

Hey guys,

I have 4 of these projectors. A few dif models. I also have a few old cameras. I have no idea what this stuff is worth but contact me if you want to make an offer. I have other antique stuff too. Message for more info.

@coolbluelights @DariusFranke

[FilmSphereFilms]

Hi, I own the same projector and I keep getting distortion in the sound. The exciter bulb works, the speed is correct, and the film is snug around the sound drum. Could this be a faulty machine, something that needs cleaning, or just a weak tube? thanks

[DariusFranke]

Hello - I just bought a Bell & Howell 552 T, which I believe is the transistorized version of this projector. My worm gear is also cracked but otherwise it seems to turn the other gear. I haven't used the projector yet with actual film, since I have to yet aquire a take-up reel. What I would like to know is, can I continue to use it (lightly) as-is or will the worm gear come apart with no warning? What about the epoxy method? Where can I get a manual for this machine? Thanks so much! DF

[Sunsetdrivein]

KMR Electronics sold all the Bell & Howell parts inventory (including the worm gears) to International Cinema Equipment Company in Miami, Florida a few months ago.

[frangiul13]

Nice B&H Specialist Chad!! I just pulled my Specialist out of the attic where it sat for more than 5 years. It powered right up and that tube amp is thunderously powerful! It's a bit noisy in forward, but quieter in reverse. I think it needs a bit more lubrication. The worm gear is still in one piece, but I did notice some small cracking here and there.

LOVE your videos! Frank

[Sunsetdrivein]

KMR Electronics in Santa Ana, California is the source of Bell & Howell 16mm projector parts. They manufacture the reproduction worm gears for these projectors as well as stock the service & parts manuals.

16mmfilmtalk . com is where the projector techs hang out.

[Sunsetdrivein]

Very early production 552 machines used a phototube instead of a solar cell for pickup.

[dburrigh]

I remember those from grade and middle school, the projectors were pretty new back then. I was pretty good at loading those as well, we had older ones as well.

Again, this brings back good memories. I didn't really like school, but I loved movie time and running those machines!

[footinmouthindustrys]

that is totally siq!

[JeffN727]

It was always a treat when I would walk into class and see the movie projector set up. Yippeee! We get to watch a movie!

[123demaio]

we had one of these in highschool and it didn't work well then . The audio was low we amplified with a guitar amp from the music room

[rockybabyboy]

Really nice! Brings back memories, Back when we didn't have tv,vcr, or computer in school lol.

[retrochad]

I remember films and filmstrips from school, too...toward the end of the school year in elementary and middle school they would show a 16mm feature film...I can remember the Apple Dumpling Gang and Ernest Goes to Camp. We also viewed educational films and filmstrips where we would have to read the captions out loud and advance the film.

[marshalauth]

Great video!

[maynardcat]

Good job repairing that gear ! I have 2 Bell & Howell Projectors similar to yours, and one newer solid state model that has worm gear problems. I also have a JAN Bell & Howell military projector, and it is NO SCHOOL projector. It has no resemblance to a regular B&H projector and is built like a tank with all steel gears, no belts and multiple motor driven. It looks like a small generating plant inside. It cost 5 to 7 times more than a regular Bell & Howell school type projector.

b

[retrochad]

I have seen pictures of the JAN projectors but not actually one in person. I prefer the older Bell and Howell projectors (100-200-300 series) to the one seen here. They are all metal gear drive too.

[maynardcat]

I remember those in that series, and I had one many years ago. They had the wooden cases with the door on the side. They were built better than the newer ones. I also have an old Ampro 1950 projector, and it is also all metal gears and weighs a ton.

[1944johndeerel]

great video! i have to fix the drive gear on my old 8mm projector

[coolbluelights]

Awesome!! I'm fascinated by the old movie cameras and projectors! I hate how they're obsolete now, they're so much cooler than modern equipment! I wish there was a place that still sold and developed these old films

[1944johndeerel]

hell yeah!

[retrochad]

I thought 8mm film was obsolete too but Kodak actually still makes it plus 16mm film. The last time I actually made movies on film was in 1989 and I think you could still buy it at stores like Kmart. We still have the 8mm camera and sound projector at my parents house. At that time you could get sound film with a magnetic stripe on it but I think only the silent type is made now.

I ought to get some new film sometime and make my own films again.

[AllAmericanFiveRadio]

Nice JB Weld experiment! It will probably work, hope so.

[Quag7]

I have encountered, over the years, people into old cars. Old computers. Old furniture.

You are the only guy I have encountered who is into old *anything*.

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your videos - they are truly unpredictable and you never know what you're going to see. This one is a good example.

What's great is you don't have to share this interest to understand why someone else *would* be interested in it.

Thank you for not being boring and thanks for posting videos.

[retrochad]

Thanks a lot for the compliments!

[starlite2991]

nice Chad!

[batterymaker]

Makes me feel like I'm back in fourth grade--in Ms. Arvay's class!

[wilkes85]

Cool, i got the 545 model. The only difference I see is yours has that cool still frame feature.

These Bell & Howell projectors are built better than solid bricks of titanium!

And does yours have that really wierd speaker jack? Mine has this strange external speaker jack that looks like a headphone jack, but it's too small for a regular headphone plug.