reel to reel repair. any tape gurus in here?

pixeltarian · Post by **pixeltarian** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:40 am

I have a tascam 22-4.

It was working beautifully till a tape snapped during playback. It had already broke at one time and someone used some clear sticky tape to repair it, but the reel was so old the tape holding the tape together wasn't sticky anymore.

anyway,

now whenever I play a reel it starts off fine and then goes slower and slower till it comes to a halt. I'd say it takes about 4 seconds to from when I press play to go from full speed playback to stopped.

Does anyone have any idea on where to start with attempting to repair it? I'm from the digital generation, but I LOVE the sound of this puppy. I never even got to track drums to it like I'd been dreaming about. It's quite sad... the day I got a TRS to RCA adapter is the day it stopped working properly.

any advice greatly appreciated!

Matt C. · Post by **Matt C.** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:25 am

first thing would be to check the heads and guides for sticky shed, which can cause this problem. if that's it, just clean the tape path and get a new reel of tape.

i feel like my first tape machine had a similar problem and it turned out one of the motors was burned out. not sure if that's the case here but if so you'll probably need to bring it to a tech (if you don't already have a tech you go to, I know a good one in your area)

The Scum · Post by **The Scum** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 1:57 pm

I agree with Matt.

goes slower and slower till it comes to a halt.

Sounds like the classic symptom of sticky tape.

fuzz · Post by **fuzz** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:14 pm

Seems like the tape tension via the capstan or the motor

pixeltarian · Post by **pixeltarian** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:18 pm

ohh thank you!
what do I clean it with? alcohol?

Matt C. · Post by **Matt C.** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:10 pm

pixeltarian wrote:ohh thank you!
what do I clean it with? alcohol?

yes, get isopropyl or denatured alcohol that is as pure as possible. 90% or above should be fine. it shouldn't be too hard to find, but normal rubbing alcohol from the drugstore probably won't cut it. don't use it on any rubber parts as it'll dry the rubber out.

Leopold · Post by **Leopold** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:48 am

You can find denatured alcohol at Home Depot in the paint section. I can should last you quite a long time.

Also you might want to read up on sticky and shedding tape:

http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html

E

The Scum · Post by **The Scum** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:58 am

but normal rubbing alcohol from the drugstore probably won't cut it.

More than probably...bump that up to "definitely."

Rubbing alcohol is a pharmacy product for disinfecting skin before you use a hypo. It's got some skin-friendly additives, like mineral oil, perfumes, etc. It can leave those behind as residue.

Real isopropyl doesn't have those skin conditioners in it...when you get it on your skin, it evaporates quickly, and dries out the top layer of skin, making it white. But it doesn't leave gunk in your tape transport, either.

The paint thinner section of the hardware store is the place.

Or the liquor store: Everclear...but then you pay some extra tax that you wouldn't on denatured alcohol.

Don't leave IPA/SLX sitting open. either. It's hydrophilic, and will draw water out of the air, diluting itself.

themagicmanmdt · Post by **themagicmanmdt** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:38 pm

Leopold wrote:You can find denatured alcohol at Home Depot in the paint section. 1 can should last you quite a long time.

Also you might want to read up on sticky and shedding tape:

http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html

E

wkrbee · Post by **wkrbee** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:12 pm

Or it's the Capstan belt...

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reel to reel repair. any tape gurus in here?

reel to reel repair. any tape gurus in here?

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