Paging Vintage "Doc" TX

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steamshooter

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"Try following first before replacing the pinch-roller:
Not sure if you did this when you had the faceplate off.
The left arrow is the tape-roller, unscrew the top, below is a washer, plastic roller bearing and another washer, be sure you assemble these back in the same way Brad.
Clean the shaft with head-cleaner.
Also clean the white roller-bearing edge where the tape goes against with head-cleaner, be sure no cleaner goes inside the small bearing in the center.
When that is done, put one small drop of light machine-oil on the shaft, put the washer on, roller, washer and finally the silver cap.
Don't overtight the cap.
Check with your finger if the plastic roller is turning freely.
Be sure the heads are clean.

Try with a tape and 3-3/4 speed again.

If this don't work, you need to take the faceplate off again and check pinch-roller linkage where the other green arrow is pointing.
There is a steelball + 2 cams with old grease between.
Clean the grease off and check when you turn the lever to play-mode the linkage goes up against the capstan-axel.
Put new lube on both cams, so the arm moves freely, I use a Q-tip with head-cleaner to get the old grease off.
Before you install the pinch-roller, check the shaft where it's mounted and use # 400 grit sandpaper to make it clean again, wipe it afterwards very carefully, put one small drop of machine-oil and mount the pinch-roller, be sure the small black washer is on the bottom of the shaft >> pinch-roller>>washer>>silver-cap.
If those washers are missing or not in the center of the silver-cap, that create more resistance for the pinch-roller to feed the tape thru at constant speed.
Good Luck now with the "surgery" Brad'


I have followed your instructions to the letter. Both washers for the white roller were together. I put them back like you said. They are not flat. I put the raised portion (high sides) against the roller. Is this correct?

Checked the cams and ball again. Things are as silky smooth there as well as can be for a mechanical linkage.

The black washers for the rubber roller are MIA. I must've lost them when I replace the roller some years back. (bought the deck new) What are they made of so I can get replacements?

The rubber wheels inside for FFWD/RWD didn't seem to turn well. (held on with c-clips) I took them off and dressed them ever so slightly with an emory board just enough to take the sheen off. The shafts appeared to have dried grease on them. I cleaned the shafts and inside the wheels and put just a small amount of grease on them. They spin almost like they are on roller bearings now. :D Was this correct?

Visually it runs well. FFWD/RWD seems much improved. Will get the manual out and compare times to spec. It's on the bech this time so later I will go out with 'phones to listen. I am 95% sure it's cured! I'm not going to put it back together until I here your answers.

Thank you so much ! :cool:
Brad
 
Hi Brad,
very good work on this Akai.
Answer for the idler-wheels: yes, that's correct to clean the shaft and apply a small amount of grease, they should spin freely. ;)
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Chrome washers between the plastic roller = the center-hole is the highest point and goes against the plastic roller so it can turn as the tape travel to the headstack.
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Those small washers on the pinch-roller are very thin made of plastic.
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Good Luck with the testing now Brad. :cool:
 
Thanks VintageTX. I got brave and took the reel tables (turntables?) off, cleaned all the muck out, and put a little oil on the shafts. They spin much better! FFWD time on 1800' of tape is @220 seconds. Spec calls for FFWD time with 1200' of tape 200 seconds. I'm satisfied with those numbers. :D
When I had the reel tables apart, I also took the emory board to the rubber wheel behind the supply side.
I've been concentrating on operations, so I haven't even begun cosmetic cleaning ......yet. I'ts pretty minty, wish I knew how to do pics. I'd like to show it off.
Thanks again
Brad
(will do a test recording TODAY) :cool:
BTW Vintage TX-What kind of music do you like? I'd like to make you a tape to show my appreciation when everything is said and done and I have fresh tape to use. From vinyl, of course :cool:
 
Great, you are almost ready Brad.
I like all kinds of music, pick whatever you want. :)

Thanks alot and Good Luck with the recording. :cool:
 
VintageTX, about those washers for the pinch roller: are they the same thickness as all the other plastic washers on the inside? I'm looking around the house at thin slippery plastic things to cut two washers out of :D
Test tape was a flop-All my blank tape is suffering from SSS. I'm hoping to run across some Maxell I can erase.
Thanks
Brad
 
Brad, the washers are not same as any of the inside. :(
You need 2 very thin plastic washers, that fit on pinch-roller shaft.
And around the screw for pinch-roller cover.
Sorry to hear about the poor tapes...
I got your PM, Thanks * :)
Any Rock'n Roll or Gospel is fine. :cool:
 
Brad, was digging thru my parts today and found 2 brand new washers for your pinch-roller. :rolleyes:
PM me and I'll send them. :)
 
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