Antiques dealers

• The first place to look for cheap movie projectors is the local antiques dealer. Often, antiques dealers buy entire estates and they pick up many varied items, among them old movie projectors. The advantage of going to local antiques dealers is that you have the opportunity in most cases to try out the projector before you buy it. Take a reel of film footage---preferably one you don't care about in case the projector eats or melts the film---with you to try it. since the dealer may not have film there. Really old antique projectors, say from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, may be costly because they are collectible. Newer ones from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s may be considerably cheaper. Make sure to test the projector for a few minutes, running it in reverse, too, to make certain everything works.
  
  

Flea markets

• Flea markets also may have projectors from time to time. These definitely will be inexpensive, but you may not be able to test them because there may not be any electrical outlets handy. If a projector is cheap enough so you aren't losing much, you can buy it, then test it at home. If it doesn't work, throw it out and start again. If you do have the opportunity to test a projector before buying it, make sure to have a test film reel with you and to test every aspect of the projector to make sure it doesn't have glitches.
  
  

Garage sales and eBay

• Garage sales and online sites such as eBay also are good places to find cheap projectors. At garage sales, since they tend to be at people's homes, you generally can test the projector before purchase. The same is not true for eBay, but you can take a look at the seller's feedback score to get a sense of trust. Also, if the seller says the projector works and it doesn't, you can get a refund minus shipping costs in most cases.