FOSTEX R8 workshop page - fixing cracked pulley, belt etc

Dr ZEE

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Hi Guys :drunk:
**********
I've got some stuff together at Workshop for FOSTEX R8 users.
HERE's page link: http://www.mzentertainment.com/studio_workshop_fostex_r8.html

scroll down there to "inside the unit / access / repair info" section, there are links to pictures and "how to".

Went through fixing a very popular problem with R8 - cracked plastic pulleys ...grrrrrrrrrrr They hold well so far.

It's a very cool machine. Too damn bad that it's not built of solid heavy metal ...heh heh heh :spank:
 
Thanks so much for that site man!!!! I'm looking to get an R8 and the info you have will be invaluable. Thank you so much. Rep added!!!!
 
Thumbs up!

Mike...this is really great.

Really, those 1/4" 8-track Fostex machines sound great, are relatively portable and use economical media. And they have some neat, unique and handy features. I remember a thread some time back about somebody working through getting this fixed and I think they finally got it but how many more are out there? Those pulleys are an unfortunate weak-point on these machines.

Kudos to you for putting some needed attention and support to these machines and their users. The Fostex machines seem to live in the shadows a bit which is too bad, and I think a lot of it is simply related to parts availability and user community support. This will help. ;)
 
The Fostex machines seem to live in the shadows a bit which is too bad, and I think a lot of it is simply related to parts availability and user community support. This will help. ;)

Speaking of parts availability; are there NOS parts for these decks or do you have to buy parts decks?
 
thanks guys, and cheers to you too :drunk:
:D
No NOS , nada-zeeppo, no-notin' as for parts, afaik... heh heh , so - :(

the more I was "investigating" all the cons of the design of this thing the more I could not help myself, so started fanta-sizing ( :laughings: ) about perspective "idea" of finding a heavy-duty deck ala, TEAC a3340, and maybe figuring out how to gut out rec/play electronics off the R8 and then swap the R8's head block onto such mighty machine like 3340 and then supply the "new system" with real hard core rec/play switches and such and thus dumping all those itsy- bitsy teenie weenie purple polka-dot advanced ala-computa' transport features ...huh huh huh

I think R8s are in the shadows simply because they stop working and there's no "simple" way to fix them. I really have no clues though..just guessing

One thing I can tell for sure though, if you get R8 that works then you'll have a real nice tool to make great recordings.... assumingly, that you've got something good to be recorded to begin with, of course ...hah hah, but that's a diffrent story :drunk:
 
So if the capstan belt starts slipping, what does one do? Have a third party company create a new belt from the same specs? Just curious as to the options.
 
I have no clue about options :o
I'd guess if you find or can custom order a flat rubber belt of the same size you'll be OK.
I fixed couple reel-to-reel machines, few cassette decks and even couple cd-players simply by going through my junk box and finding a belt that fits. But that's how I do most of "repair" , but I can't recommend this to anybody (I'm not a "certified specialist" and ain't got no licence no permit granted from the agency...heh heh :drunk:
 
If you have a specialty electronics shop in your vicinity that stocks VCR belts you might find something there, or check wwith someplace like Parts Express...they used to stock a scad of round and flat belts...I have an electronics shop near me with a whole isle of the things and someday I mean to take a couple belts there and see if I can find a match.
 
Daniel! Thank you, Sir! :)

OK, guys, I was spinning the machine today, Also had to tighten up the brakes a bit. So the bonds on the pulleys hold well so far. If it'll fail some day I'll sure let you know and then will have to try something different... arghhhhhh, I hope not.

I was also tracing the wires from the control unit jack to the control board and got it all figured. I has few ideas about how to implement long cord for the control unit, as it's pretty hard to find that special Fostex extension cable. Also it has a pretty unique 12-pin connector.
My latest "idea" was to add d-sub 15pin connector in the area between INs/OUTs jacks and the Sync Connector (there's some good empty space there). The challenge however is the control unit, as there's no space there , well maybe where the punch/locate jacks are ??? , I have to look into it again.
In any case, if anybody needs the info about the 12-pins jack and where the wires go ...let me know. I'll put this info out on the web-page too when ever I get time.

later, guys
:drunk:
 
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Steve! You wanted eight track - get this one , and you can carry it with you to your gigs, not an iPod, but close, and it operates like an all-in-one Brother printer, literally! ...heh heh :p ... :D

Seriously, it's a nice recorder. Meanwhile I'll keep dreaming of TEAC 80-8 :drunk:
 
Seriously, it's a nice recorder. Meanwhile I'll keep dreaming of TEAC 80-8 :drunk:
I had a Fostex A8. That was a pretty good sounding deck too.

I'm sure you can find a deal on an 80-8 somewhere. They seem to be getting fewer and further between though.

I'm glad to see you are still working on electronic projects. I kind of thought you took a break :drunk:
 
Wow, this is awesome Zee! I just bought an R8; it should be en route to my place now. (I begged and pleaded with regards to packing, and he assured me that it would be professionally packed and arrive safely. I hope so!)

It's awesome to already be able to see inside the unit and learn a bit about its innards. It puts me a little more at ease with the thought that I can make some repairs myself. :)
 
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