Spare parts for older Martin Mac fixtures

[Paul O]

Does anyone have any suggestions where I could try getting spare parts for older Martin Mac 350 Entour / SmartMac units - I've tried a couple of sources but they are reporting that parts have been discontinued and are no longer available. Does anyone still hold stocks of plastic parts?

[AJDJ]

Have you tried https://djlightingdiscount.com/

[Paul O]

I may use them as a last resort if I can't find anywhere in Europe - their $70 shipping for a few plastic parts feels rather excessive!

[ed_ld]

Jamie Shurlock keeps a lot of older Mac spare parts, maybe worth giving him a try to see what he's got stashed away for his repairs business. His website is

 

http://jamiesmagictorch.co.uk

[the kid]

What are you looking for ? I THINK we might have some bits floating about for smartmac. I know since martin moved / did changes there are very little old parts, if any for the old old units.

[osmosis]

In my head these fixtures are some what new. I remember when 500s and 600s were the standard fixtures.

[david.elsbury]

In my head these fixtures are some what new. I remember when 500s and 600s were the standard fixtures.

And now it’s 2019 and they are anything but “new”... so what’s your point? Do you have spares for these fixtures available?

[osmosis]

In my head these fixtures are some what new. I remember when 500s and 600s were the standard fixtures.

And now it’s 2019 and they are anything but “new”... so what’s your point? Do you have spares for these fixtures available?

Calm down, no, I don’t have spares for these fixtures, I’m surprised the OP is finding hard to find the spares, given that there are still many threads on this forum by people wanting to get advice on Mac 250s and the like. I know there are many new wizz bang fixtures out today. But I know many rental houses still carry Mac 250s 300s and 2000s and they are still able to maintain them. The fixtures the OP is having problems with are one generation newer. I’m Gaffing a job at the moment with a rig of VL 500 and VL 2ks, along with a bunch of Light Panel Gemini’s. 2k, 5k, and high powered HMIs are still common place along with the ever reliable Source 4,

My point being I’m surprised the OP is having troubles with getting parts for these fixtures. (In my head still very useful fixtures and not that old) The great thing about owning fixtures from brand like Martin, Clay Paky, VL is even when they are near 20 years old parts are still available. Unlike brands like showtec and other cheap fixtures. Once they need repair you will struggle to find parts.

Perhaps I’ve been in this industry too long but I still enjoy it. Except when there are rude people on forums.

[chelgrian]

Perhaps I’ve been in this industry too long but I still enjoy it. Except when there are rude people on forums.

 

The 350 Entour is now nearly 10 years old however that isn't the point the point is that in the meantime the Martin Professional was bought and reorganised by Harman and the company as was including support for the previous products doesn't exist anymore. Hirecos can maintain them via cannibalisation of units but at some point they'll be sufficiently few units in circulation that this is not possible.

[indyld]

Sound Technology who now deal with Martin in the UK have good and knowledgeable support personnel. Unfortunately, as discussed above, many Martin parts past a certain vintage are no longer available so we are down to salvage in many cases. Best bet is seeing if the specialist moving light repair cos have some kind of stock pile.

[Paul O]

Thanks for the suggestions, I've sent off another couple of enquiries.

 

The parts I'm specifically looking for are for my Mac 350 Entours which are "just" 9 years old and are still really useful fixtures however the plastic parts are gradually getting broken. I'm looking for:

 

 

1x Outer Fan Cover 23403050

2x Lid w magnet,smartMAC 62406160 (same part used on both SmartMac and Mac 350)

 

Spares for the more common Mac 250 and 500's still seem plentiful but the less common models appear to have been dropped via the official support channels. I guess my only hope is likely to be if anyone has any old stock of parts or finding an old unit or two to cannibalise.

[alistermorton]

Sounds like a business opportunity for someone with a 3d printer?

[the kid]

Hi,

 

No luck on those parts, I have some cover parts, and I have a reflector for a smartmac.

[Soundwaves]

I think it would be great for there to be a database of 3D files for parts like these that members can add to for where they aren't being manufactured anymore,

but someone that has a 3D printer could use the file to print a new one. We've been toying with getting a 3D printer for this reason where

replacement plastic parts are becoming very expensive, and hard to find like the fan cover in this forum, but a good scan or 3D scanner is the limiting factor.

If a part has been discontinued, I don't think companies can really complain unless their end goal is to do it so you'll give up and buy a new fixture.

[pmiller056]

I'd be very wary about using 3d printed replacement plastic parts without understanding more about the end-use application and materials used for both the original and replacement part. Most 3d printed plastics will soften, potenetially deforming at relatively low temperatures. Plastics used in the construction of electrical/electronic equipment will have well understood and deliberately chosen flame retardant or self extinguishing properties - does the (unknown) plastic used for the replacement part have the same or better properties?

For me the risks and potential liabilities of this approach for equipment used in a public place or for commercial gain are not worth it.