Tape rubbing on TSR-8

[Victory Pete]

For years my TSR-8 would frequently rub tape against the reels, I dismissed it to bent reels. Recently when I was trying to adjust the reel table height I noticed the hub wouldnt budge on the shaft. After frantically trying to get it to come off the shaft I noticed it had split. There is a cast Aluminum hub that fastens to the motor shaft with 2 set screws. The reel table is attached to this hub. The hub was machined out of spec and was too tight on the shaft and also was machined slightly too big to let the reel table sit on it perfectly flat, it was forced on and was always slightly crooked. I managed to have the hub machined so it would spin true. This is the disturbing part: I now own 4 TSR-8's and 3 of them had the same exact problem. 2 of my machines I found recently New In the Box. All 3 had the problem on only the take up reel side, the right hand reel. It obviously was a quality control problem they let slip by. So 3/4 of the machines I have had a problem with one hub. If anyone has experienced the annoying tape rubbing affliction you might have this same problem. It is fixable but not easy, I had to use a small pulley puller just to get the hub off the shaft, then you have to find a machinist who understands the problem. Of course Tascam doesnt make the hubs any more. The way to tell if you have this problem is to do this: Take off both reels. put a rubber band around the left tension arm and attach it to the idler roller, this will spin the capstan. Now press play. With your finger gently feel the edge of the reel table and feel for vibrations, if you have this problem it will be obvious, you will feel the edge of the reel table oscillating.
I hate to be the messenger, but some of those machines out there must have the same problem I have had. The date codes range from 1992 through 1993. The 3 digits following the serial number is the date code. 921 means 1992 first quarter. Let me know what you think.
Thanks
VP

[darrin_h2000]

Tape?...where do you even buy tape...I have an old Akai deck...but I cannot find 1/2" tape for it.

[Victory Pete]

RMGI has been making tape for some time now. It is great stuff, the 911 is 456 compatible and I think is sounds better than 456 ever did. U.S recording sells it. There are other dealers also. The future looks great for Analog
VP

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by darrin_h2000

Tape?...where do you even buy tape...I have an old Akai deck...but I cannot find 1/2" tape for it.

I think you're looking for 1/4" tape and not 1/2". I've never seen an AKAI deck take 1/2". Which model do you own, may I ask? But yeah, like VP mentioned, RMGI (who took over from EMTEC / BASF) makes tape again and word is that QUANTEGY will restart production soon.

Other than US Recording Media (among other vendors), where you can buy new tape, look on eBay for sealed Maxell UD.

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by cjacek

.................and word is that QUANTEGY will restart production soon.

That word has been around so long it's beginning to get kinda ripe and smelly. I doubt that they will get production going again for quite some time if ever again. Times being what they are. My opinion only.

[darrin_h2000]

Originally Posted by cjacek

I think you're looking for 1/4" tape and not 1/2". I've never seen an AKAI deck take 1/2". Which model do you own, may I ask? But yeah, like VP mentioned, RMGI (who took over from EMTEC / BASF) makes tape again and word is that QUANTEGY will restart production soon.

Other than US Recording Media (among other vendors), where you can buy new tape, look on eBay for sealed Maxell UD.

It can play 1/4 inch...but for all 4 tracks you need 1/2"...and sorry...it was a TEAC.

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by darrin_h2000

It can play 1/4 inch...but for all 4 tracks you need 1/2"...and sorry...it was a TEAC.

Sorry but I'm not sure what you're saying. You mean that the TEAC that you have is 1/4" but that, generally speaking, 1/2" is preferable for 4 tracks?

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

That word has been around so long it's beginning to get kinda ripe and smelly. I doubt that they will get production going again for quite some time if ever again. Times being what they are. My opinion only.

Well, I'll choose to be optimistic but, yer right, that "word" is indeed taking its sweet time...

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by cjacek

Well, I'll choose to be optimistic but, yer right, that "word" is indeed taking its sweet time...

I wouldn't want to hold my breath waiting for that to happen. I have more faith in RMGI who is a company that apparently still believes in analog, than a lazy old American company who threw in the towel. I used Ampex and Quantegy 456 and it never sounded as good as RMGI 911 does right now.
VP

[Beck]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

That word has been around so long it's beginning to get kinda ripe and smelly. I doubt that they will get production going again for quite some time if ever again. Times being what they are. My opinion only.

Not nearly as long at this point as RMGI and ATR after their initial press releases.

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by Beck

Not nearly as long at this point as RMGI and ATR after their initial press releases.

Bloody good point.