R.I.P. My old Porta 02 Portastudio

[ido1957]

Well, after 20+ years of use, my old Porta 02 Portastudio finally gave up the ghost. It started a few days ago when it was struggling to wind the tape on the take up reel in Play Mode.

Last night it ate my practice tape.

Channel 3 never would play back without a jack from the tape out into the channel in (cool workaround).

It's been a good machine over the years. I guess I can still use it for a sub-mixer but for now it's in its box resting peacefully.

I'll be using my newer 424 MKIII in it's place. I may even pick up a second 424 off eBay - man they're cheap now...

Take Care my old friend......

[A Reel Person]

Y'know,... not to overstate this, but those types of faults can be repaired,... and the Porta Two was one heck of a nice machine!!

I've gotten a couple Porta Ones and Porta Twos off Ebay that were non functional outta the box, and I plan to fix them myself some day. What's perplexing to me is the mechanical nature of the transports, with many levers, cams and springs,... that make the solenoid/motor driven mechanisms look downright simple in comparison! However, I've considered picking up a book or video on how to fix the mechanical type of cassette mechanism,... 'cause each of these defunct Porta's have a simlar problem,... that deep down I think is probably a relatively simple fix. I spoke with Jimmy at Tascam, and he indicated that my problem might be that the gears had to be re-sync'd,... which I took to mean set in place properly so that they all rotate in phase and work together. As I just mentioned, the mechanism is a mechanic's dream (nighmare)!

No doubt, the 424mkIII at avg $115/used is a progressive deal that's hard to beat!!

My condolences for your Porta Two,... (it held up 2 decades which durable to say the least), and I wish you luck!!

[Tim Gillett]

I've looked at a number of these over the years for servicing but none for a while, no surprise.
As I recall, the take up reel gets really weak and slows, allowing the capstan to keep feeding tape through until it's all bunched up and your tape is chewed.
There is a little rubber tyred idler wheel which loses grip and causes the problem. Cleaning with lighter fluid or similar usually solved the problem although of course a new tyre would be ideal if you could get one.
The other thing to go was belts and I think some of the grease used to dry out and cause a jam in the mech underneath. All fixable for the guy who knows what he's doing. Labour and only minimal parts cost.
I agree they were a great little performer and would like to find one myself.
Hope this helps.
Tim

[Bill Furnett]

Even with having a 38, i still love my Porta 02 and will eventually get it serviced AGAIN (no high end on 1st track as of last using it)
or try to learn how to fix it myself, it's just very much like an old friend i can't part with and i'm still amazed at how well the signal could hit tape with just a sm58.

One thing i learned with mine (And a few others) is when occasionally the heads lock into forward (Play) position and nothing will make them "Retract",
is to drill a few holes in the tape and crack it till you can get it out,
then open the case and manually spin the "motor drum" one way or the other and it will unlock. I don't know how or why and i'm not 100% sure it causes it, but it seems the plastic piece the heads sit on gets cracked and soon after they begin to lock up. I very very careful disassembled and super glued that piece and was good to go again.

-Life was a bit easier when all i had was my Porta-

[tnjazz]

Wow that brings back memories. I used to go out and tape Dead shows on one of these. Made some nice sounding recordings too!