R8 capstan trouble

[Martin Savage]

Hello! I'm new at this forum. I just bought a r8 reel-to-reel and it was working fine until I tried to start it today and the capstan wheel wouldn't turn. The motor seems to be working (it's making the sound). I read that someone had a problem with the drive belt falling off the a-8. Could it be that? If anyone has had the same problem please post a message here for me. I would really apreciate it!

 

[Tapehead]

I can pretty well guarantee the drive belt has come off. I have an old A-8 and it has a similar problem. It is a bit of a pain as you need to take off the front of the machine (including anything that prevents its removal), reach in and slip the belt back on. It will have dropped low into the machine and you'll need to fish it back up with something (carefully) like a wire with a hook bent into the end.

While you're in there give it a treatment with Rubber Renue or something like that and the belt may be ok for awhile. I don't use the A-8 anymore but the belt popped off often enough when I did that I kept the front plastic cover off just so I could quickly get the belt back on. Apart from that, a great machine.