I would like to call out a big thank you to Bill Parsons, THE all gauge projector expert who has helped so many collectors over several decades, Bill has single-handedly kept so many projectors running over the years, many of them, I know, still running today and hopefully for years to come as his repairs are the real thing, not just a quick fix repair as I know some customers request just so they can use it a few times to digitise there home movies. Kevin Brown has also had these request for 16mm machines, now these requests are turned down by Kevin as he knows whatever time he puts into those particular machines, they will end up being scrapped.
Since Bill has retired, his tips and advice continue to be invaluable to me. I always enjoy a chat and a laugh now and again because I believe that someone who has been so helpful to so many should remain a friend to us all and certainly deserves to be remembered by everyone who he has helped. Above all, keeping in touch as friends rather than only when a repair is needed is a priority as far as I’m concerned.
As I said before, my own tinkering with my projectors is nothing more than that, tinkering. Had it not have been for Bill over the years we would certainly have given up with 8mm many years ago when things went wrong, particularly on the electronic side where I have no chance of having a go myself. There are only so many times you can “have a go”. I still enjoy taking the old Eiki apart that I got from Dave Guest some years ago as it is far too rough a machine to put my films through, so taking it apart as per the manual and putting it back together a few times is still something I like to do.
When I bought my Sankyo OMS880 stereo, and the 850T (which was thanks to another friend on the forum), I was very pleased with it even though at the time I didn’t have the step down transformer to try it. It was sold as seen, untested so I didn’t expect a showroom model. I gave it the usual cosmetic clean up inside and out as well as re-oiled and greased it to the best of my ability. I needed to give Bill a call to talk to him regarding my Elmo 1200HD which was niggling me. We got talking about a few things regarding the Sankyo and it was soon apparent that Bill had not seen an 880 before and was very interested in it. At the same I also purchased a mono version, the OMS850T without going into details, this one was surplus to my requirement’s and was going to be nothing more than a play toy. As Bill offered me help as a one off with my Elmo I decided to offer my 850 to Bill as a thank you, it’s very rare that I can return a favour to Bill for what he’s done for us during his working years.
For this, in return he offered to look over my 880 so when the transformer arrived with me it would be ready to go. Once received by Bill, it was apparent that it appeared to have had very little use, because of this the claw cam was seized and the heads were open.
Along with a few other bits and pieces these faults were soon rectified, (with the one second hand head Bill had in stock from a GS1200), and the machine was returned to me all ready for use. I was pleased to hear that Bill concluded that this 880 model is superior to the UK 800 model. The optical sound is good so now I can add an optical film to the collection later just to use this side of the machine. It also has what is thought to be a pulse sync connector at the front, I may be wrong on this, but either way it is a better model with more gadgets, and now I can rest assured my purchase wasn’t in vein, it is now all working, so I wish thank Bill on here for this and hope everyone who he has helped out over the years doesn’t forget what he has done for those who used his services and at least keeps in touch with him as we do while he is enjoying his retirement.
Cheers Bill.
As a bit of fun, I used a translation app on my phone which, as you can see by the images, turns those Japanese symbols / words to English. Bill did point out to me that the main rotary switch on this model should only be switch to the 3 o clock position for the sound films, if you go all the way, (as per the image) this position is for silent projection, it pulls the heads up so if you aren’t aware of this you may think you have a sound fault. As I understand it from Bill, this one works the opposite way to the UK 800 version. A good solid machine with so much packed into it, all I need now is that very nice high end lens. Once I receive the transformer I will add to this thread on its performance which I know will be A1. The first image is the two together, the 850 is now in the good hands of its new owner.

I can only concur with everything that Tom has said regarding Bill,a real gentleman with time for all.His knowledge and tips regarding film projector related issues is immeasurable.
Without his expertise some while ago my fumeo would not still be running so smoothly…thanks Bill.

i'm glad you got it sorted now Tom by Bill just as a one off. Its good to know that the heads are very similar to the mighty GS and a nothing else other than an adjustment to the mechanism was needed. These are great little machines and are such a neat little package bristling with features, and sound really good with those high quality heads, and the bonus of the optical reader not on the 800 model. This really was a great find, you seem to have a knack for finding these little gems mate, can't wait for review when the transformer arrives, i bet you won't be using the the elmo's so much after this little "sumo" shows what it can do........

A highly respected man who's done work on my 1938 9.5 sound projector and the GS.
So grateful for his help.

Reading all past posts here and elsewhere regarding people who say they would never touch an Elmo because they scratch and ruin films, all i can add is this, My main machine has been with me now for over 40 years, we have three 1200HD's in total.
Like anything mechanical, if it's used and used and never serviced and worn parts replaced, scratching will happen with any projector.
What Bill has done over the years is precisely that, serviced and where necessary repaired/replaced pats on our Elmos. Over the past years repairs have included new parts which i sometimes supplied myself like new lower rollers, a soundhead, replacement film gate, replacement ceramic film guide on the head, modified the lamp holder and contacts, ten times better than some of the efforts i've seen elsewhere, but above all, NEVER a quick fix. Un beknown to many on these forums is that Bill also has other repair specialists ring him when they get stuck. What always comes over with Bill is when I talking to him about something, he knows the fix without even looking at the machine. Pretty much like a top car mechanic is in the motor trade, is what Bill is to cine projector's. When your getting other repair engineers ringing you for information that sums up who the top dog in that field.

It's fine cleaning out the film path after every show, but worn parts need replacing and modifications need to be done properly, a home fix may get it working but you cant beat the real thing. Now my Elmo is sorted as a one off (and the Sankyo), i will rest assured they will give me trouble free service, they have to now (until something else goes wrong ).
One more thing i will add, whenever i sent a machine for repair, or servicing i never rang and chased him up, i never quibbled on price, if you want the best you pay for it.

And if Bills reading this, i hope his heads to big to fit through his doors, he deserves every bit of it, one things for sure, there will never be another Bill Parsons for us again.

Enjoyable read, Tom. Bill is such a gentleman too.

Did you say Kevin Brown is no longer overhauling B&Hs? I need to get a dreaded worm replaced on an otherwise like-new machine.

Thank you Martin, as i understand it, Kevin has removed himself off all internet contact due to the amount of calls he was getting from people who bought cheap projectors on ebay and just wanted to get them running enough to use it a few times to transfer their home movies to digital with the intentions then of scrapping the machine.
I cant believe people would be that dim as to actually tell an engineer that, they are wasting his valuable time.
I'm pretty sure Bill was also getting those types of calls.

Tom,
Thank you for posting this and highlighting what a wonderful person Bill Parsons is. Bill has always been most gracious and extremely helpful whenever I have had a question or two. His knowledge of electronics and the mechanics of numerous brands of projectors is amazing. Because of Bill, there are many, many additional projectors still humming along that otherwise would have likely been binned. Bill, you are greatly appreciated far and wide in our hobby!

One thing i did forget to mention regarding Bill, (and i thank another friend and collector for reminding me), is that is was Bill who, several years ago, did the expensive trial and error groundwork that was put put into the HID lamp mods that other people take credit for.

Something too few collectors are aware of.

Thanks for the comment’s chaps, I try to help when I can although it is sometimes not easy without being hands on, if someone gets really stuck, I have on occasions fixed the problem for them, if my state of health was better, I imagine I would still be full time on repairs, but it was getting out of hand with projectors everywhere in the house and not just from the UK, plus my health going down hill. All this can also cause the angry wife syndrome, that I am sure most collectors can relate to.
Thanks again for the comments.

Well, you do more than most Bill, the thing is, you must enjoy your retirement as well and by the sound of it, keeping your hand in is something you enjoy very much.
I'm sure i speak for everyone on here and elsewhere when i say, you enjoy your retirement Bill, you've more than deserved it, your wealth of experience will always be welcome if you get bored haha