Reviving Old Stage Fresnels

Ever notice how your household lights on dimmers last forever, but the rest blow with the flip of a switch?? (Well, that's changed with spiral flo's anyway...)
 
Bern Caughey said:
As Ronny Raygun said, "Trust, but verify".

Consider getting a second opinion. Lots of old lights have asbestos, & I'd prefer to see them serviced by a pro. Wouldn't cost a lot.

Best,
Bern
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Absolutely. But the professor who told me they didn't have asbestos is a professional. He originally purchased these lights on behalf of the university, and he's been a practicing DP for decades.
 
Michael Carter said:
I don't see any point in using the 300 bulb in a big fresnel - full or 3/4 CTB, ND or a scrim would get you right where you want using a 500. That socket is hard to work in my experience, you really have to torque down on the bulb base - I try to avoid bulb swaps. (I've come to like using 3/4 CTB after reading a lot of Roger Deakins' site - you get a bit of warmth for a daylight setup, very nice and less loss).
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It's really interesting you say that. I just worked on a recent project where I used a lot of 3/4 CTB because we ran out of half (which I tend to double up on lights when balancing for daylight), and I really, really liked the look of it. It was an MCU shot indoors with talent near a window, and the 3/4 gave just enough warmth inside, motivated by a practical in the wide. Although I wasn't concerned with light loss, the more light there, too, makes it a great tool.

I didn't know Deakins was such an advocate.
 
People! The little asbestos in those light fixtures isn't going to hurt you! If you had 1000 fixtures to rewire and you were ripping the asbestos wire out of them, you might want to think about wearing a mask. The asbestos that is dangerous comes in large quantities, suspended in the air for long periods of time. (Like demolition of old buildings, etc.)

If a fixture has discrete asbestos-covered external wiring, simply contain it inside some fiberglass braid sleeving like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Delfingen-Electrical-Fiberglass-Braid-Sleeving-AG-155A-/260782969480 20 cents a foot!
 
Richard Crowley said:
People! The little asbestos in those light fixtures isn't going to hurt you! If you had 1000 fixtures to rewire and you were ripping the asbestos wire out of them, you might want to think about wearing a mask. The asbestos that is dangerous comes in large quantities, suspended in the air for long periods of time. (Like demolition of old buildings, etc.)

If a fixture has discrete asbestos-covered external wiring, simply contain it inside some fiberglass braid sleeving like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Delfingen-Electrical-Fiberglass-Braid-Sleeving-AG-155A-/260782969480 20 cents a foot!
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Richard is right unless you eat it or snort it, relax.
 
'Nother question:

These lights are...well, old. They are covered in rust and are quite dusty, inside and out. What do you recommend I clean them with? Not sure if there's something specific.
 
Myself... I'd disassemble them, sand them smooth, use a power sander (orbital) for super rough spots. Use high-heat primer and high-heat matte black paint on them. Stick some 750 globes in 'em and run them for an hour or so to bake the smell from the paint.
 
Michael Carter said:
Myself... I'd disassemble them, sand them smooth, use a power sander (orbital) for super rough spots. Use high-heat primer and high-heat matte black paint on them. Stick some 750 globes in 'em and run them for an hour or so to bake the smell from the paint.
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Great idea. I might just do that.

I'm going to Barbizon this week to pick up a 750W. (I've decided to go 750W in all four, since it's too easy to scrim down a light of too much power, compared to the opposite, and 750 is an easy wattage to work with in a domestic space with low-wattage ciruits.) I first need to test each light with the bulb to check that the lights work. Then buy more bulbs, TVMP adapters, etc. The barn doors appear to be what will kill me: $60 a piece from Barbizon. Pennies compared to buying a new 4-Fresnel kit, but a good chunk of my paycheck.

Which paint do you recommend? Would this be sufficient?
 
jscottprice said:
Looking at putting a squeezer on each light for a switch and dimmer solution.

http://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html

Any thoughts about that?


Also, how risky would it really be to put a 1KW bulb inside these? They are rated for 750W, and given their age and wear, I have no idea if that would be a dangerous move.
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Dimming will change the K/temp and light output of the lamp downwards, just be aware of that.

I wouldn't worry much about the 1K in the fixture. Just make sure your wires can handle the extra current and heat.
 
Svart said:
Dimming will change the K/temp and light output of the lamp downwards, just be aware of that.
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I know it will change the temperature, which I see as a gain, say if I wanted something warmer than a 3200K balanced for camera. For most uses, it would be an on-off switch, but I would like the advantage of dimming.

Svart said:
I wouldn't worry much about the 1K in the fixture. Just make sure your wires can handle the extra current and heat.
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Anything I should do to ensure this? I'm swinging by Barbizon today to grab one 750W - first, just to check that each light works - but I'll be making multiple trips back. I'll probably ask a rep there about this, too.
 
Dimmers and TVMP Adapters came in today, so all will be on stands shortly. It looks like I will need to throw down more money on stands because the ones I have (in the shot) are meant for very small, lightweight fixtures.


Svart said:
But why do you have so many refrigerators? :)
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For all the bodies.
 
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Those look like Altman or L&E fixtures. If they have a rounded top vent, they are likely the Times Square. The Altman 65Q and L&E models each have a stepped top vent. It looks like they came to you in good shape, but we (Barbizon) do sell the burner base assemblies and safer fibreglass cordsets for these fixtures. The old, white asbestos (feels like rope) cords should be disposed of according to local codes and the dust they give off during handling should be avoided if possible.
 
I bought the lamps and barn doors from Barbizon's Carrollton location. The barn doors are not made exactly for these fixtures, but they work and cost the same. (They also did not have the Altman 65Q barn doors in stock at that location.)
 
Be sure to ask your local Barbizon store if they have a demo / clearance stock area. In Charlotte, we have a good collection of "as new" demo fixtures and AKS with prices that can't be beat.
 
jscottprice said:
I bought the lamps and barn doors from Barbizon's Carrollton location. The barn doors are not made exactly for these fixtures, but they work and cost the same. (They also did not have the Altman 65Q barn doors in stock at that location.)
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How much did the doors run you? I have a couple of those fixtures and have been looking for doors for them.
 
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