Tension problem with reel to reel

ItsMikeE

New member
I have a few old master tapes which I would like to copy to another format.

I managed to get access for a while to an Akai 1800D-SS

I threaded a tape, turned the 'play switch' and for something like one second the reel turned in the correct direction, then it reverses and the tape starts becoming loose and unwinding.
When there is no tape threaded, the reel always turns in the correct direction.
I suspect that the issue is to do with tension, but I have no idea what to try next.

Any suggestions?
Anyone had similar problems?
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but I do not think that is the case.
When I do not thread the tape the reels turn correctly. That is why I suspected a tension issue
 
I kind of recall those units from repairing them years ago. Haven't seen one in about 25 years, though. IIRC, what you're experiencing can be caused by the felts in the reel tables not gripping well or (unless it's a direct drive model, I don't really remember) bad (hardened) idlers.
 
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