BELL & HOWELL Model 142A 16-mm, sound projector (1936) The audio on this model has rootin’ tootin’, push-pull 6L6’s. She operates and sounds swell. Best of all, the array of controls in linear!
Two things impeded progress on this restoration. The motor had shorted windings, and the illumination object mask (“slot”) was slightly rotated. This rotation caused a marked loss of high-frequency response, because the illumination path included sound-track patterns at frequencies lower than the intended target. Of course, no sooner had I achieved excellent high-frequency response, the motor committed suicide. When a motor is removed, it is a perfect opportunity to examine the all metal motor clutch and make the necessary adjustments. Unavoidable, during this process, one learns the serect of how the still mechanism works on this series of projectors. Shellac is required for proper re-assembly of the still-picture mechanism, to prevent air leaks….
A motor from a Model 179 made an excellent replacement except the rear bell housing for this motor is now from a scrapped Model 179. If you have not fished teflon coated wires in the concealed pathway previously occupied by asbestos covered wires, then you have not lived! To replace such a motor, the squirrel-cage fan must be removed. We’ll skip right over that activity.
Perhaps the biggest challenge in restoration of this machine was replacement of the interior felt lining. Today, it is rather difficult to find good quality (high percentage wool) felt. Such material dampens projector noise and is highly fireproof. But, enough of the chit chat. Here are pix of the projector and its matching electrodynamic speaker. Notice the brand new, light-gray, 80% wool felt, soundproofing job. I beg you to do so! [My wife was not really that impressed.]
The art to a really good projector design is to attainment of mechanical isolation between the necessary nearly-instantaneous start-stop action at the film gate and, some inches later, virtually continuous rolling of the film past the optical head assembly. Those Bell and Howell engineers were excellent!
Note the linear array of controls that vanished after WWII.
Top view of this 45 pound (or so) machine. The handle design is far superior to that used on a Model 179, although the attachment points are not attractive.
Another nice feature on this mid 30’s machine is the peek-a-boo access to the controls. This made noise of operation minimal.
The matching speaker case, with its protective cover panel removed! Yes, I know the wood grill needs to be re-varnished, but I’ve been lazy lately.
Rear view of projector case, with its back cover removed. A storage place for everything, including the projector reel arms.
Rear cover of the projector case removed. Yet more storage locations are available. Maybe I should have used black shrink wrap tubing on those two Jones connectors. These speaker cables are still supple, after 67 years.
