Reel Question...

[Ignatius-]

So, I've been searching for a thread about reels - more specifically uneven reels... I couldn't find anything so I thought I would just ask. I have several reels where the flanges are slightly bent and hit the tape as it plays/rewinds. Is there any way to straighten out reel flanges that have gotten a little bent? Or is there a way to set them up so they don't hit the tape when operating a machine? There has to be a better way than just laying one flat and trying to bend it back, right? Am I missing something really obvious that's a quick fix?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

With the abundance of empty take up reels out there, due in large part to all the sticky shed tapes that went bad, I'd be more apt to suggest just picking up a new take up reel rather then messing around with an old bent/dented one. Plus, I don't think you're going to be able to really straighten an aluminum flange without it looking like hell once you've bent it back...leaving visible creases.

Cheers!

 

[Victory Pete]

With the abundance of empty take up reels out there, due in large part to all the sticky shed tapes that went bad, I'd be more apt to suggest just picking up a new take up reel rather then messing around with an old bent/dented one. Plus, I don't think you're going to be able to really straighten an aluminum flange without it looking like hell once you've bent it back...leaving visible creases.

Cheers!

I agree, I used to try to straighten mine, they end up worst. Actually in my case it wasnt my reels being out of true it was badly machined reel tables on some of my Tascam TSR-8's.

VP

 

[witzendoz]

Maybe it's because I once did a trade as a mechanical fitter (due to my parents wanting me to have a real job as well as the band I played in 5 nights a week), but I used to be able to straighten them out with my hands very easily. I used to turn them on the machine by hand and hold a pencil so it just touched the high points and make a mark, then I would remove the reel and give it a slight push / pull as required, then try again. Be patient and take it a little at a time.

alan.

 

[Tim Gillett]

Alan,
I was going to say the same thing. It takes a bit of a knack but I've had a fair success this way too. It doesnt really matter if the flange is bent a little away from the tape pack so long as it doesnt scrape on the machine's deck plate.
Of course the reel table height should be correct. Sometimes the combination of a slightly off reel table height plus a slightly bent reel is enough to cause tape to scrape on the flange. With correct reel table height there's a reasonable tolerance for slightly bent reel flanges and tapes that dont pack as evenly as they might.

Tim

 

[miroslav]

I too just bend them by hand...though the bigger, 2" reels are thicker than 1/4" and 1/2", and pretty stiff, but still workable by hand.
I had some that got dropped and so there was a nice kink in the flange. I unscrewed the flange from the housing, got a hammer, put the flange on a flat surface and placed a piece of wood over the dent...and just beat the snot out of it.

 

[Tim Gillett]

That's my approach too. When all else fails, "beat the snot out of it". I like it. Tim

 

[mdainsd]

I take the flanges off and chuck them up in a lathe (takes a big lathe for 14" flanges). Indicate them in and adjust as required. I aim for .02 runout.