Fostex A8 and Model 80 rewind problem.

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I bought two Fostex 1/4" 8-tracks recently (A8, Model 80). Both were serviced about 5 years ago and although they hadn't been used since, are in really nice shape. The heads are good, all the VU meters on the A8 light up and work, and the LED meters on the M80 do the same. Just two solid machines that both sound awesome. The issue I'm having is that the rewind on both of them is messed up.

I've looked all over the web, including here, and haven't read a problem/solution that is applicable to mine so I figured I'd throw it to you guys and see if anyone here could help me out? Here's the issue exactly.

On the Model 80. I put in fresh tape and play it to around 30 sec on the counter and hit reset. If I record a 2-3 min track, hit stop and then either press "Zero Return" or Rewind, the left reel struggles to pull the tape back. I can help it out by twisting the reel clamp knob and get it going, and it will start to get some speed and eventually stop at zero, but it won't rewind without a gentle twist to get it going.

The same issue happens on the A8. One thing I've noticed is that if I FF to the middle of the tape, so that there's more or less an equal amount of tape on each reel, then I can press RW and they both will rewind without having to be helped. I cleaned the tape path on both of these and have taken the face off them too, just to see if it was a belt problem or something that I could observe, but everything looks fine. I'm stumped.

Before I take them into NJ Factory Service, which could end up costing me some money that I really don't have, I figure I'd take one last shot and ask around here. If anyone's had any experience with these, or any machines like these, then please let me know what you did. Much appreciation. JR
 
I know the A8 is belt-drive, not sure about the M80. Have you checked that?
Also, I have a B77 that had problems rewinding... that turned out to be the brakes out of calibration so it exerted a slight drag that caused it to slowly grind to a halt. Might be worth checking that too.
 
jpmorris said:
I know the A8 is belt-drive, not sure about the M80. Have you checked that?
Also, I have a B77 that had problems rewinding... that turned out to be the brakes out of calibration so it exerted a slight drag that caused it to slowly grind to a halt. Might be worth checking that too.
Click to expand...

The M80 is belt driven too, I got new belts for mine at Ebay. Can be had quite cheap, there's at least one guy that makes them brand new. Don't know if you got any experience repairing these things but if you don't I recommend you get a tech to do it. At least I was clumsy to change belts in mine, it's very compact in these small decks.

What tape are you using?
 
When you say Fresh Tape, is this a brand new tape of new stock? Because if there is any sign of sticky tape problems it often shows up as a rewind problem.

Alan.
 
I'm using RMGI LPR 35. That's right tape for these. I've checked out the belts on both of them too, and they are working fine. One thing that's weird is that I recorded a little today with the A8, and after recording for 3-4 minutes I hit stop and then RTZ. The machine strains to move but doesn't. If I give it a little help it slowly starts to rewind until it get's up to full speed and then slows down and stops. The M80 does the same thing. I'm thinking it may be a torque thing, or the brakes are rubbing.
 
I don't have any experience with the A8, but I do own an 80. If you suspect the brakes rubbing, that's easy enough to check. Just take the front cover off (or it sounds as though it already is off?) and see if the brakes are rubbing during rewind.
 
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