How to operate the Eiki 16mm film projector

Owned by Murray Basham
Last updated: Jul 12, 2021 by Adem Kerimofski
4 min read

"THE FILM PRAYER"
I am celluloid, not steel; O God of the machine, have mercy. I front dangers whenever I travel the whirring wheels of the mechanism. Over the sprocket wheels, held tight by the idlers. I am forced by the motor's might. If a careless hand misthreads me, I have no alternative but to go to my death. If the pull on the take-up reel is too violent, I am torn to shreds. If dirt collects in the aperture, my film of beauty is streaked and marred, and I must face my beholders - a thing ashamed and bespoiled. I travel many miles in tin cans. I am tossed on heavy trucks, sideways and upside down. See that I don't become bruised and wounded beyond the power to heal. I am a delicate ribbon of film - misuse me and I disappoint thousands; cherish me, and I delight and instruct the world.

Author: Sally Lloyd



Step-by-step guide For SCST3004 students wanting to screen their 16mm film.
















First lower the projector screen in Room 101 with the remote control by pressing the down arrow under the heading of ONE












Place the projector onto the supplied trolley in Room 101, then pull the power cable out from the projector and plug into the extension cable.  











Remove the side cover of projector and place on the shelf below of the projector trolley.












Pull the front arm up by rotating in the direction of the arrows in the picture, until locked in position.












Pull the rear arm up by rotating in the direction of the arrows in the picture, until locked in position.











The spool is placed on the spindle with the metal ear pulled down first, to be in axis with the spindle. As shown in the picture.






Once the spool is placed on the front arm, close the metal ear so its now at 90º to the spindle as shown in the picture







The film spool is now ready for lacing.

The direction of film from the spool

The picture left shows the direction the film comes off the spool during playing. Also the sprocket holes need to be facing towards you.

spool needs to be placed on the front arm as shown in the picture.









This picture indicates the path that the film takes, when lacing the film through the projector.










Second picture to further illustrate the path through the gate of the unit.








The Silver knob is to adjust the optical focus of the film when showing on the screen.

The position MIC, allows the tension to be taken up in the film. Please ensure that the film is laced correctly still, with this position selected.

Once ready to play the film, rotate the control knob through to the next position to start the film through the machine and again to turn the projector light on to display the film on the screen.

As instructed by CPSU staff, please ensure that sufficient tension is applied to the film, as it comes out the back of the machine by using your hands to assist the film 'feeding' out while playing. Failure to do so, could result in the film being caught in the machine with a possible outcome of tearing the film. To avoid this then please put a Take Up reel on the rear arm and threading the film to this reel to avoid  the above issue. 

Lacing the projector

Ensure that the Selector switch is turned back to STOP when you are wanting to lace the machine again


To unlock the film arms, press the Red buttons, next to each of the arms and then gently pull down the arms to fit back alongside the projector.

As in Picture 3.

STILL / RUN control

Dont leave in STILL for any length of time. Projector will only play with RUN mode.




Fold up the power cable and place back into the rear.

Fold up power extension cord and put trolley away from the small room in 101.