Re: 16mm Projectors

Bell & Howell projectors have a unique film handling system that is kindest to the film, and is most likely to properly run damaged film.
However, I would avoid the auto-load feature, as I don't trust them to be gentle to old film. a 285, 385 would probably be fine. I bought two on eBay last year (we sometimes show silent films acompanied by the Church pipe organ) and prices were under $40. If you're just looking at these at home, you probably don't need one with a 1000Watt light either! (The projectors basicaly were cheaper than buying new lamps!)
So, go to eBay and look around, like you've already found, the schools and the like have long since gotten rid of this stuff.
S'
David D.