Is this bad???

[AllenM]

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[cjacek]

Looks like you need to do a mechanical alignment. A service manual is a must or take it to someone you trust.

 

[AllenM]

Nobody works on these machines down in south texas. I don't know much about mechanical alignment, but I could buy the service manual. Maybe someone here can help me set my teac to run properly.

 

[jjones1700]

How far south are you? There is a place in NW Houston that works on decks. Had my RT-909 reworked and the guy did a heck of a job on it.

 

[AllenM]

Mission, tx.

 

[westgate]

Nobody works on these machines down in south texas. I don't know much about mechanical alignment, but I could buy the service manual. Maybe someone here can help me set my teac to run properly.

Mission, tx.

check with rolf here at vintage tx (he's near houston)-
http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/vintagetx/

he's one of the best techs; not sure if he still does repairs, etc but he might know someone else near you who does. he also is/was a member here at homerecording..., check member list if there is one.

 

[mastercontrolme]

I'm sure the machine could use a good lube and adjustment, but, what I would try first is get a new pinch roller and try a fresh tape and see if the behavior is the same.

 

[Beck]

The pinch roller was my first observation as well. It doesn’t look quite right… glazed and slipping or tacky, I can’t tell by the vid, but it’s too shiny. It could be a tension problem too. If you’ve never or not in the last 5 years replaced the pinch roller that’s something I would do regardless. What kind of tape are you using?

 

[Herm]

I think there could be a couple of things going on here. One is the the tape is so bad from sticky shed its hanging up or it could be its getting hung up on the take up reel.
I would look down the side of the machine with the tape on and see if the tape path is going straight or is slightly touching the reel. To me it looks like the tape is at a slight angle.

Also that looks like old type tape. Is it?
Another thing you need to put your pinch roller in the down position with the lever next to it. with it up your just putting wear on the heads you dont need to.

 

[westgate]

allenm, try using a fine grain sandpaper and very lightly scuff the surface of the p-roller. this will help it and capstan grip the tape better.
and while at it, clean the heads, capstan, guides with at least 91% ioso alcohol on q-tips. this should be done very frequently anyway 'specially when using old tapes.

i've done it on my teac a-6300 and one of my akais about 6 months ago and it worked for me. they're still going strong.

ymmv.

 

[miroslav]

Pinch Roller cleaning aside...I too think it may also be a tension & take-up reel issue.


I don't recall all the front planel options those reels have...but does it have switches for choosing metal/10.5 reels VS. plastic/7" reels...?
If it does...that might not be set correctly.

I think the buttons are on the left side under the tape counter. If it IS set correctly for Small reel (plastic/7"), which is what you appear to be using...try switching to metal/10.5" reels and setting it to Large.

Also...don't mismatch the reels...use the same type/size on both sides ...and see if any of that helps.

Check that, as the tension is changed by the deck depending on the type/size of reel you choose.

 

[Spooler]

Tension arm

HI. Firstly i would check the right hand tension arm, it seems to be traveling to far, with no tape loaded the arm should be at 90D in relation to the side of the machine. Hold the tension arm at around parallel to the side of the machine and then press play, see what happens, if the tension on the arm is great i would say you have a brake problem. Cheers.

 

[AllenM]

I think there could be a couple of things going on here. One is the the tape is so bad from sticky shed its hanging up or it could be its getting hung up on the take up reel.
I would look down the side of the machine with the tape on and see if the tape path is going straight or is slightly touching the reel. To me it looks like the tape is at a slight angle.

Also that looks like old type tape. Is it?
Another thing you need to put your pinch roller in the down position with the lever next to it. with it up your just putting wear on the heads you dont need to.

When I have the pinch roller lever in the down position it wont play anything.

 

[AllenM]

Actually im using some brand new SM911 tape. This barely started happening about 3 weeks ago. When I first received the machine I didnt have that problem.

 

[AllenM]

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[mastercontrolme]

There is a transport problem, the pinch roller should spring into play right away and bounce back when stop is pressed. Looks like new grease will be in order. It also seems like something is not aligned causing the tape to twist a little. Does the tape rub against the reel? Seems odd it just started recently, maybe someone with more experience could chime in. I had a 3340S, but was about 10 yrs ago, so I am a little vague on the machine.

 

[SteveM]

Allen, is the tape twisted going onto the take up reel? It looks like it on this last video. Is there something wrong with that reel or the reel table it's on? Is the take up arm loose or bent? It definitely looks twisted from the take up arm up to the take up reel.

 

[cjacek]

Yup, looks like hardened, old grease, is preventing nice smooth operation of the roller mechanism. Looks like tension is off too. This deck needs an overhaul, including the dismantling of the pinch roller mechanism (from the inside) and re-greasing and a mechanical alignment (electronic one too while at it). I also see the capstan belt is dragging a bit and needs a change. Honestly, this is an involved job and I'm not sure how confident you are tackling it. westgate mentioned contacting Rolf about this and perhaps handing over the machine to him. He's the guy you want to deal with as he knows those decks inside out and restores them for a living.

 

[westgate]

Yup, looks like hardened, old grease, is preventing nice smooth operation of the roller mechanism. Looks like tension is off too. This deck needs an overhaul, including the dismantling of the pinch roller mechanism (from the inside) and re-greasing and a mechanical alignment (electronic one too while at it). I also see the capstan belt is dragging a bit and needs a change. Honestly, this is an involved job and I'm not sure how confident you are tackling it. westgate mentioned contacting Rolf about this and perhaps handing over the machine to him. He's the guy you want to deal with as he knows those decks inside out and restores them for a living.

as i mentioned before, iirc, i seem to have read that he may no longer be doing repair work but he may know someone near allen who is.
can't hurt to ask rolf, tho.

 

[AllenM]

Allen, is the tape twisted going onto the take up reel? It looks like it on this last video. Is there something wrong with that reel or the reel table it's on? Is the take up arm loose or bent? It definitely looks twisted from the take up arm up to the take up reel.

The reels are 7" and are 1/4 sized. I think the take up reel is a little bit wider from what I can tell.