aw crap.

[FALKEN]

I was transferring a mix I did to PC, from my tascam 32, and I wasn't paying that close of attention, and the tape ran out. k. only it got caught on the capstan and got rolled up around it. and in a few seconds, it was caught and just stopped. so I turned off the machine, took off the faceplate, unrolled the tape off of it, respooled, rewinded, and crap. i think the capstan motor is burned out. i am screwed.

[The Ghost of FM]

The 32 is belt drive on the capstan so perhaps it's just the belt.

Is there any distinct smells of burnt motors or rubber?

And commandment number one; check the fuses.

Cheers!

[FALKEN]

no smells. the machine works otherwise, it fast fowards and rewinds. is there a specific fuse for the capstan?

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

is there a specific fuse for the capstan?

I believe so, yes.

Check it!

Cheers!

[FALKEN]

Ghost I went to your tascam site and found the way to the tascam manual. I didn't find the service manual though so I'm not sure where that fuse is but after work today Ima open it up and see if I can't find it.

[monty]

If you didn't look like Fidel Castro these things wouldn't happen.

[FALKEN]

well if I was fidel castro I could probably find somebody to fix this thing.

[Dr ZEE]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

well if I was fidel castro I could probably find somebody to fix this thing.

heh heh... no doubts:
- Bring him to me.
.....
- Here he is, mi Comandante.
- Untie him.
- Sí, mi Comandante!
.....
- Now you listen to me. I'll be back in an hour. When I come back I expect this thing to spin. If it does not spin - you know what ...

******

btw, I went through the manual (i have it in pdf) and found nothing about fuses. where the heck is this info? Some day I may know... so far God kept mine machine from stop-spinning ...

[FALKEN]

its gotta be in the service manual, which I might end up having to order, but im gonna see what i can uncover on my own first.

[A Reel Person]

but I'm no Castro cronie!

I'm a Monty cronie!

[FALKEN]

are you in florida?

do you know how to swim?

[A Reel Person]

Eh,... I mean Los Angeles!

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by FALKEN

its gotta be in the service manual, which I might end up having to order, but im gonna see what i can uncover on my own first.

Right. I didn't understand what I was seeing in the service manual, so I opened 'er up.
From the front, above the left spool motor there is a PCB containing eight fuses. These have some freaky colour-coding like resistors, so you'll probably have to do a continuity check rather than just looking at them.

(I've just replaced my rather beaten-up Tascam 32 with a nice Revox B77, so the Tascam was just sitting idle. I'll see if I can repair it someday).

[FALKEN]

so..uh....

i've been taking screws out and pulling on the faceplate on this thing for 45 minutes...how do you get into this thing? did a search and didn't come up with anything. i've taken all of the knobs off as well as all of the hex-screws. still nada. I took the back off and didn't see much of anything. any help??

[A Reel Person]

there is a low profile nut that holds the PITCH pot to the faceplate. A small pair of needlenose pliers should be able to remove it.

There are several screws on the front of the faceplate,... including having to remove the head cover. Remove the rollers by unscrewing their caps. Be careful about the small washers on each side of the rollers. There are also 3 or 4 screws on the bottom edge of the front cover.

Once all the relevant screws (& 1 nut) are removed, the faceplate/front cover may be removed by swinging the bottom out a bit, first. The faceplate is held by small nibs which hook under the top bonnet, in the front.

Wonder how I know all this?

[A Reel Person]

proceed to remove the 4 screws that hold on the top bonnet, and remove. It will make access to the guts much easier, including will aid in removing the front faceplate much easier.

[monty]

Of all the gear out there, tape decks are one of the most puzzle-like pieces. Good luck with it. They put it together, so it has to come apart. You have to sort of slightly pull at things and trace where the point of resistance is. And try to remember the reverse sequence for putting it back together. I usually end up with an extra screw. Or one will magically disappear. I’m almost sure that A Reel Person has something to do with that.

[FALKEN]

"I'm in".



operator?





I didn't find the fuses, but the belt is definitely off. off from what I can't tell.

[FALKEN]

no, wait..I think I see it.

its going to be tricky.


also..

next to each lifter, there is a spring with a white string attached to it. the left one looks broken. (i.e., isn't tight like the right one). do these do anything?

in order to get the belt back on, should I take off the entire head block/assembly thing? its attached with 4 screws and a big spring.

[A Reel Person]

Each one should anchor to the chassis, travel up and around the cylinder that's attached to the tension arm assembly, and then anchor again to the chassis. That's to the best of my recollection.

To access the belt, you should remove the screws that hold the entire headblock to the frame, and swing the headblock/assy up & out of the way. This should give you enough clearance to get the belt on.

[FALKEN]

well, I got it up and running. Thanks guys!!!!

I am not sure if the belt is exactly even though, and if this would cause an increase in flutter?

[A Reel Person]

I don't think it should cause any sonic anomalies.

[A Reel Person]

You've already gotten the disassembly/reassembly down pat.

[Chris Shaeffer]

That's gotta feel good. Like when you change a flat tire for the first time. Suddenly the road is *yours*.

-Chris

[FALKEN]

yeah, it does.

except the mix I was transferring turned out to be no good.

the drums were way too loud.

so, even though I own the road, it doesn't help me drive.

at least I fixed it so I can start again.

These tascam machines are great.

thanks again!!