Radio Shack DEMAGNITIZER???

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Captainron

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Hey all,

Great Forum!

I just broke out my PIONEER RT909 after 7 years, and cleaned it up. I want to demag my heads, have a RADIO SHACK Cat # 44-207 Head Demagnetizer, and can't find the instructions.

No dice at radio shacks web site!

Any suggestions?

I know I can screw up my heads if I am not careful.

Cheers
Capt. Ron
 
Remove any obstructions to getting the demagnetizer close to the heads.
This little unit doesn't have an On/Off switch, so you hold it maybe 8' from the tape deck and plug it in. Then sloooooooooowwwwly approach the heads you want to demag, then thoroughly treat the heads, pads, and wheels, then sloooooooooowwwwly remove the demag tool from the area. The reason for the slooooooooooooowwwly is that it operates by constantly reversing its magnetic field; if you just zap everything and pull it away (or, worse, unplug it) you will leave its last magnetic orientation embedded in the heads. What you are trying to impart is a randomization of magnetism so no particular orientation predominates. Take your time and don't do it while you're doing something else with your other hand! When the tool is back where you started, unplug it and put it lovingly away (that reminds me: I need to get my demag tool to my stepson, who still uses a cassette deck).
 
<<<This little unit doesn't have an On/Off switch>>>

Hmmm, Thanks for the quick reply, however, it does have a "white switch" that you push up, ... when you let go of it, it automatically slides back. (off)

Any suggestions?

Capt. Ron
 
I didn't realize RS would go to such an expense! I'd never seen one with a switch. Here's what to do: follow my instructions, with the switch pushed "ON" the whole time up to the point you have moved the tool back to its starting place. If you put the demag up to the heads and then zap them, you can damage the heads.
 
OK GREAT! Thanks for the help! When you say "treat" the heads, I guess you mean just circle around it with the tip? Or a back and forth motion?

Capt. Ron
 
The demag tool has a plastic coating so you can rub it along the surface of the head without scratching it. When the tool is in contact with the metal you're getting the maximum "demagnetization." Use it like you were icing a cake with a ball point pen. Just be sure to approach and leave the premises slowly with the tool's switch in the ON position.
 
There are 2 schools of thought on this. Personnally I wouldn't try demagnetizing the heads at all. They become magnets each time you use them so it's fruitless to demagnetize them. There is an argument that there is a residual build up on them but I don't think it is anything you can't take care of by cleaning them properly.
 
That's what I have...and its literature stresses the importance of head demagnetization.
 
Yeah, they got demagnetizers right on the counters at le Shack. Just watch your credit card!

Also, you can join the Battery Club.
 
The reason most demags don't have an on/off switch is simple... it's not to save $$$.

It's so that you can't accidentally turn it off while using using it. Turning off a demagnetizer while the head is withing the magnetic field can cause damage to the head unit. (permanent magnetization)

Figures RS would have one with a switch.... :D
 
NYMorningstar said:
There are 2 schools of thought on this. Personnally I wouldn't try demagnetizing the heads at all. They become magnets each time you use them so it's fruitless to demagnetize them. There is an argument that there is a residual build up on them but I don't think it is anything you can't take care of by cleaning them properly.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm....Any other thoughts on the above? Surely "demagnetizers" were not a conspiracy by Tape Recorder manufacturers to get us ta buy em??

Capt. Ron
 
Han said:
http://www.soundfirst.com/cleandemag.html

And get this magnetizer, it's the best. http://www.usrecordingmedia.com/handmagdebyr.html

Cheapo demagnetizers do more harm than help yo.
Click to expand...

Very informative instructions, Han. Thanks much for that link! Did you write that?

I don't think the shack sells demagnetizers anymore?

The one I have is a wand type, 117VAC 60 Hz 6 Watts

Duty Cycle: 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off

I don't plan on using the recorder all that much, and really don't wanna spend 60 bucks on one right now.

Should i use this one, or just skip the entire process.

Capt. Ron
 
Personnally I wouldn't try demagnetizing the heads at all. They become magnets each time you use them so it's fruitless to demagnetize them. There is an argument that there is a residual build up on them but I don't think it is anything you can't take care of by cleaning them properly.
Click to expand...

That is flat out wrong. Cleaning a tape head DOES NOT demag it. Does Windexing a magnet remove it's magnetic field?? NO!!!

As far as them "becoming magnets each time you use them", I don't even have time to respond to that... Of course they become magnets *IN RELATION TO THE AC CURRENT APPLIED!!!!* (Alternating polarity/fields) When no signal is being recorded (or played) there should no magnetic field at all on the surface of the recording head...

Sheeshhh..... :eek:
 
turnitdown said:
That is flat out wrong. Cleaning a tape head DOES NOT demag it. Does Windexing a magnet remove it's magnetic field?? NO!!!

As far as them "becoming magnets each time you use them", I don't even have time to respond to that... Of course they become magnets *IN RELATION TO THE AC CURRENT APPLIED!!!!* (Alternating polarity/fields) When no signal is being recorded (or played) there should no magnetic field at all on the surface of the recording head...

Sheeshhh..... :eek:
Click to expand...

Hmm, I guess I got my answer! ;-)

And it was the one I figured I'd see!

Cheers

Capt. Ron
 
Jeezz... reading back my response I realize I came across pretty harshly.... Sorry....
:D
AND, I had no idea I was so passionate about tape head maintenance.... Especially when I haven't gone analog for about 3 years.... but they were great memories.....
 
turnitdown said:
Jeezz... reading back my response I realize I came across pretty harshly.... Sorry....
:D
AND, I had no idea I was so passionate about tape head maintenance.... Especially when I haven't gone analog for about 3 years.... but they were great memories.....
Click to expand...

Don't ya miss those big 10" reels slowly turning round and round? ;-) Whenever I have a party, I always crank up the PIONEER RT-909 at least for a little while. My guests love it, especially the kids!

Cheers
Capt. Ron
 
turnitdown said:
That is flat out wrong. Cleaning a tape head DOES NOT demag it. Does Windexing a magnet remove it's magnetic field?? NO!!!:


When no signal is being recorded (or played) there should no magnetic field at all on the surface of the recording head...

Sheeshhh..... :eek:
Click to expand...

Did not say that cleaning the head demagnetizes it. What it does is remove the dirt and sediment that does hold a residual magnetic charge. I agree that when no signal is being recorded that there should be no magnetic field on the head which is exactly my point against demagnetizing it, fruitless.

Captainron, I don't think there is a conspiracy going on and most tape recording manufacturers don't try to sell you demagnetizers for the heads. I did see a few months back cd cleaning disks for sale that claimed to demagnetize your cd player. Do you wanna tell me the purpose for that? Yet they are still selling them at the counters
 
Cap'n Ron.....

I'm not sure if it was already stated (or you already know...)

BUT, ALWAYS remember to move the demagger away from the heads SSSLLLOOOWWWLLLLYYY.... VERY important... Otherwise, you will do more harm than good...
 
And when you demagnetize your CDs make sure you do it radially....



...that's a joke. Stereophile Magazine got its panties in a wad about 10 years ago about demagnetizing CDs but soon enough another crackpot fad came along (let's see, was that before or after using the green marker on the CD perimeter, or soldering your speaker cables to the posts of the amp? -- Both these techniques resulted, needless to say, in DRAMATIC improvements in the transparency of stereo playback [as an aside within an aside, when I make an improvement in my recording studio, I get tiny, incremental improvements: when the audio guys do something trivial, like putting a brick on top of their amp, the improvement is always breathtaking]).

Oh, and fairness requires that I report one thing Stereophile got right: if you have an unplayable scratched CD, try polishing it with Armor All. A lot of times that will be enough for it to play back reliably.
 
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