A dilema has arose

  • Thread starter Thread starter antispatula
  • Start date Start date
antispatula

antispatula

Active member
And of course it has to do with Otari, like always :D

So this guy is trying to sell me an Otari mx7800, a rather rare and less heard of model, unlike the 5050 series. It's another 8 track, but is 1"! This guy want's to sell it to me for 200 bucks!


BUT the capstan motor is shot. As far as my understanding goes, it is missing a magnet. I understand the role of magnets in motors perfectly fine, but am wondering: Is something like this repairable? Any ideas or suggestions on what to do?

ANOTHER thing: I have a hunch that all otari cap motors are generally the same. I just HAPPENED to find someone selling an otari cap. motor, but it was made for a 5050. Do you think, that perhaps I can use that as a replacement, or at least as parts to fix the old one?

200 bucks isn't all that much, but if there is no hope in fixing it, then it's a huge waste.
 
It's been my experience that if you throw enough time, effort, skill and money at a technical problem, you can usually fix it. ;)

Good luck, man! It sounds like an interesting project.

Keep in mind though, 1" tape is mighty expensive these days! :eek:

Cheers! :)
 
Arose By Any Other Name

If it's in good shape otherwise, but could be an eternal work in progress. Me, I would use the money to fix what you have.

But then I'm a composer. There is nothing wrong with gravitating towards the collector/restorer path if that's what you enjoy.

:)
 
You must also assess the condition of the heads either by very careful observation or by way of a head report because replacement of the head block for a 1" machine would be insanely expensive. If the heads are severely worn, you're in essence buying a $200 door stop.
 
antispatula said:
ANOTHER thing: I have a hunch that all otari cap motors are generally the same. I just HAPPENED to find someone selling an otari cap. motor, but it was made for a 5050. Do you think, that perhaps I can use that as a replacement, or at least as parts to fix the old one?
Click to expand...

You may want to ask the seller for the part # of the shot cap motor and get the same from the other guy who's selling the cap motor. Hopefully the #'s will match up. :confused:

Btw, I tend to lean toward Tim's suggestion to "use the money to fix what you have." Othewise you might have lots of partly functional or work in progress machines. Not fun.
 
I would think that the motor would be different. but damn...that would be a nice machine. if you got it working, i'd definitely buy it from you. :D

how does he know its the capstan motor? perhaps its just a belt? is he a techie guy? If so, I would bet that he might have tried to fix it already and failed.......
 
FALKEN said:
I would think that the motor would be different. but damn...that would be a nice machine. if you got it working, i'd definitely buy it from you. :D

how does he know its the capstan motor? perhaps its just a belt? is he a techie guy? If so, I would bet that he might have tried to fix it already and failed.......
Click to expand...

Yup, good point. There's nothing like buying from a clueless seller. Perhaps it's a tiny issue misdiagnosed and thus the low selling price. It's worth finding out, I guess.
 
I'd just buy it, flat out.

How often are you going to come up with a 1" 8-track for $200? Working or not, that's a huge potential just sitting there. (Heh: pun). Then, if somehow it doesn't pan out with your best DIY skills, you can still sell it for parts and recoup your $$$.

By the time this is done, we'll have to call you "The Otari Kid"!!! :eek:

Anyway, from the description, it's not unlikely that it's a simple fix. Better yet, you already have many Otari parts available to you. IMO, it's a win/win for 'spat.
 
Try to take advantage of the situation and get the seller down to 100 bucks, quoting some of the issues discussed above. Tell him it's a risky and potentially expensive buy for anyone (heads, service issues etc ..). You may even exaggerate or dramatize the concerns a fair bit and get the guy to lower the price. Try it.

Don't clue the seller in that it may be a simple fix or that it's a good deal! If you see good heads, for example, don't tell him so. You in essence want him to believe you're doing him a huge favor by taking it off his hands.
 
A Reel Person said:
if somehow it doesn't pan out with your best DIY skills, you can still sell it for parts and recoup your $$$.
Click to expand...

As a worse case scanario this wouldn't be bad at all, as Dave points out. It'd be likely you could recoup and also make a nice profit.

You know, more and more I'm warming up to the idea of getting the MX7800. Still, I'd try to get the seller to lower the price even more as per above. ;)
 
hey thanks guys for all the advice. I tried getting the price down to 125, but he never responded.....and he actually does know what he's talking about......I think I'll go check it out though. I'm not sure yet. All the capstan motor is missing is a magnet.
 
that's sort of weird. ...

I tried taking a capstan motor apart once and i coudln't get it open.
 
antispatula said:
hey thanks guys for all the advice. I tried getting the price down to 125, but he never responded.....and he actually does know what he's talking about......I think I'll go check it out though. I'm not sure yet. All the capstan motor is missing is a magnet.
Click to expand...

It would have been better if you'd do the price haggling in person and not via email or phone. It always works best that way. Shows your sincere interest. Do check the machine out though. Keep us posted! ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top