Dad is gone. Manuals are gone. Not sure whether take-up reel goes on front or back. Don't want to keep jamming and ripping film. There is a clicking sound. Where to go in Western NY for repair? Bell & Howell 256 Autoload, Model #256 AB, Serial # 42046.

Susan, March 2007

the 8mm reel goes on the right hand side properly fitted on slats you then unwind tape just enough to reach) the top clear plastic piece where it says to hold down until threaded). To thread push tape in to opening and turn on the motor as you put film in to thread push the tab down as you push the foward button up. If the film comes out the back where you thread retry until film threads itself all the way to the bottom thread it until you have enough film to reach the big reel onthe left side of projector then turn on lamp and forward button. when you rewind just take film from the big reel on the left straight across to the little reel on theright and hit the rewind button you do not thread back through projector to rewind.

karen roberts, January 2008

The take up reel goes in the back. Make sure the film doesn't have any crinkles or broken sproket holes. Turn knob so that the takeup reel starts to turn. Feed film into slot (may have to push down on something to engage).

The Vidman, October 2007

Front reel is feed reel. Back reel is take up reel. Turn on projector, move switch to fwd, place film in top clear plastic device while pushing down. Hold down until film begins to feed out the bottom plastic device, then route under and back up to the take up reel.

John, October 2007