Tascam 246 - noisy transport, help needed!

[zenbubblegum]

Hi everyone,

I recently picked up a Tascam 246. It was incredibly dusty and unloved, but I've cleaned it up and now it looks almost like new (apart from the fag burn by the DBX light, ha ha).

I also got inside it and cleaned out two decades' worth of dust, plus I replaced both belts and the pinch roller.

However, having put it all back together, the transport is still _incredibly_ noisy. Like, couldn't possibly record in the same room kind of noisy. It sounds like plastic parts rattling like crazy against each other, like the clockwork motor in a cheap Chinese toy.

Tapes play fine, by the way, and it records on all channels perfectly. Fast wind works well in both directions. The tape counter is a little wayward, but I can live with that.

What could the rattling be? And can I fix it? Is it going to be a cheap DIY job or an expensive service repair?

If anyone can give me some advice and guidance, that would be greatly appreciated.

Like, what might need lubrication, what products should I use to lubricate it and exactly where is the lubrication to be applied?

Please note: I'm based in the UK, so references to US products go over my head. What I currently have is sewing machine oil (very fine grade) and Caig Faderlube, which is what I used to get rid of the age-old crackle in the pans, pots and faders.

I love this 246 already - I'll love it even more if I can get the drive running more smoothly so I can actually use it for recording. I've been using a 144 for a while (that's pretty noisy, too, as it happens), but the 246 is a welcome step up in terms of features. Now that it _looks_ like new, I'm hoping to get it _running_ like new.

By the way, I also have a near-perfect scan of the original 246 owner's manual, which I'm happy to share with anyone. PM me.

Many thanks,
Jonathan

PS
I did post this message last night to a two-year-old 246 thread here at HR, but have realised since that it might be more beneficial to start a new thread. Apologies for the double post.

 

[sweetbeats]

Welcome!

The 246 is indeed a great unit.

The other thing that typically needs addressed at least on a 244 (and I think the transport is the same on the 246) is the idler tires. Not sure if that would cause that kind of noise on playback tho'...not sure actually what symptoms the worn idler tires cause but they can be replaced with plumbing washers. Dr. ZEE has a tutorial on his website...can't recall the link but I betcha somebody will put it here and if not I'm sure I can go digging.

cjacek just did this on his 244 and he may have input as to the noise...others as well. The 244/246 is a pretty popular unit around these parts.

I'll keep an eye on this thread.

 

[sweetbeats]

Here's Dr. ZEE's page on the 244...much should apply to the 246. Spend some time on his site. It is worth an extended browse.

http://www.mzentertainment.com/studio_workshop_tascam_244.html

 

[zenbubblegum]

Thanks, Sweetbeats. Yes, I'm hoping that other 144/244/246 enthusiasts will chip in with their service/repair experience. It's a shame about the excessive transport noise, because other than that my 246 is ready to rock. Or rather folk-rock

I've come across Dr Zee's insanely detailed 144/244 breakdown photos in the past. They are great! Just little things like knowing which screws to take out so you can actually detach the upper case/fascia from the circuitry section. I was gingerly pulling at things for some time before I consulted Mike's photo guide.

As it happens, I actually e-mailed Mike directly a week or so back about general restoration tips, like where to clean and with what. This was before I put the thing back together and pressed play for the first time. Maybe Mike could help me with the noise.

I'd still love to hear from other Home Recording activists. What are the idler tires? What function do they perform? And where are they? I have an exploded schematic view of the 246, but it's not helping me much, no matter how hard I stare at it!

 

[Dr ZEE]

Jonathan, see there part "4" , here's direct link: http://www.mzentertainment.com/pics/teac_244/dr_zee_workshop_tascam_244_project_part4.jpg, the pictures tell the story.
I only can guess here, as the tires on my machine were so bad that the transport didn't work. So I didn't have a "noisy transport", but rather a dead one , after I replaced the tires it worked fine.
, I guess, that if tires are worn (so they are not perfectly round) or bumpy then the hubs may be dancing around while spining. I don't know. The thing is that you'll have to open up the unit again so you can see what's going on.
Does the machine make noise in play AND when rewinding/fast forward ?

 

[westgate]

deletable-photo wouldn't come thru. thanks.

 

[Beck]

After 18+ years of faithful service from my 246 the rubber idler hardened and started making a rattling noise. I bought a new idler assembly from Tascam parts and the 246 runs like a new one again.

The idler assembly comes in two parts, and they're about $12.00 for each piece.

Doc ZEE's solution is a good alternative as well.

I had tried messing around with rubber washers similar to what ZEE did, but that was before he posted his project, and the ones I used didn’t quite work out… so I got tired of working with it and ordered the parts.

The washers I bought at the hardware store worked for a while, but didn’t hold up. I think the ones ZEE used are probably more suitable.

 

[cjacek]

As sweets already mentioned, I did a "Dr. Zee" on my 244, changed the tires on the old 244 and, I too, can attest to the rattling when the idler rubber started to go. Mine had also been eating tapes due to the right spindle not "catching" the rubber (of the idler) and stopping. Again, the Zee solution, of actually sourcing faucet washers, is a good alternative. The one thing I noted is that it's not necessary to undue the plastic molex connector (which attaches the chassis to the VU meters) but rather swing the front face out, much like the hood of a car. It's long enough but you do need to be careful about not forcefully pulling the wire harness but rather aiding it so. Yeah, those old units, the 244, 246 etc... are all long overdue to have all of their rubber replaced and this includes both belts, the capstan roller and idler tires. Again, thanks to Mike (Dr. Zee) for the great service pictorial.

 

[zenbubblegum]

This is the stuff! I think the idler tires sound like they might be the culprits. As it's a similar noise in the 246 as in my 144 (though not as bad in the latter), ageing rubber would explain it.

The 246 is noisy whatever direction the tape is running in and at whatever speed.

I'll give Tascam's parts service a call and see if they have the idler assembly parts cheap enough.

Isn't it amazing that this stuff is still available off the shelf from Tascam? And for buttons, too. Very cool. I'm happy to buy all-new official parts if they're under £10 a time. That's little more than one set of guitar strings or a nice XLR cable to get the recorder humming again.

zee: I figured I'd have to open the machine up again (and just when I've got all the knobs back on and the thing looks really cool again). I was hoping against hope that the noise would kind of go away of its own accord once I'd tightened the lid again.

cjacek: I think I discovered the same thing, vis-a-vis not needing to detach the VU cables. I found I could lift the lid back and prop it up vertically and do the necessary work. Saved me a lot of trouble, that.

 

[cjacek]

cjacek: I think I discovered the same thing, vis-a-vis not needing to detach the VU cables. I found I could lift the lid back and prop it up vertically and do the necessary work. Saved me a lot of trouble, that.

Yeah, I'm actually in the process of getting a replacement for the molex connectors (thanks to a good friend), 'cause in one of my "zonked" out moments, trying to pull them out, I got a bit overzealous and scratched / chipped them and also grazed one of the wires (don't ask how). That was before I realized that this was unnecessary. But, hey, the experience will be good for me, I'm sure. Here's a photo of the idler tires that I replaced (just the rubber with a faucet washer - as per Dr. Zee). First pic shows the "hood" being open and the second, third, the new tires. PS: Is it just me or does that hair like debris on the right spool annoy? Gotta clean that off..

 

[sweetbeats]

Isn't it amazing that this stuff is still available off the shelf from Tascam?

Yes! I've said it before but it bears mentioning again: too many take it for granted what Tascam is still doing to support their products. I know others have had mixed experiences but, for instance, being able to call them and talk to an analog support tech and have them basically walk you through making a sync cable for a 25 year old deck and a long obsolete synchronizer for the cost of the call is incredible, and I too have been amazed at what they still stock and/or can order. I always call them with the assumption that the part I'm looking for will be on the discontinued list. That way I'm never suprised or disappointed but at least 60 ~ 70% of the time they've got it or it is on order...and I call on wierd stuff...need a gain pot for a PE-40? Got it. Need a set of tape guides for a 58? Got it. How about a master fader for a 388? Yeah, we got that too. Oh I know...A knurled thumb-screw for the trimmer access cover plate on a 48...How many do you need? Heh!

Is it just me or does that hair like debris on the right spool annoy?

Daniel...I didn't notice that before, but now I can't stop looking at it!

 

[cjacek]

Daniel...I didn't notice that before, but now I can't stop looking at it!

Maybe I should just replace the entire right spool? Na, just KIDDING!!

 

[sweetbeats]

Well...I...I dunno...I guess it depends on how well the hair comes off...I mean, what if it is pinched in there or something what if...what if it snaps off when you try to get it out???

 

[cjacek]

Well...I...I dunno...I guess it depends on how well the hair comes off...I mean, what if it is pinched in there or something what if...what if it snaps off when you try to get it out???

...or worse yet, what if I scratch / chip something while I try pulling it out, like maybe using the wrong tool or too much force?! <sorry guys, inside joke, a little one.. >

 

[sweetbeats]

or...or...what if you plug something in wrong and power it up and fry part of your system? Like...like what if you weren't careful connecting an amp card to an extender card and pfffffft!

Okay...a NOT so inside joke. Am I over cooking my 58? Nnnnnnope!

 

[cjacek]

or...or...what if you plug something in wrong and power it up and fry part of your system? Like...like what if you weren't careful connecting an amp card to an extender card and pfffffft!

I too still can't get over that one....

 

[Dr ZEE]

Daniel, did you use exact the same brand washer as I did or a different one? I am asking, because I would guess that there may be some "variations" of those, maybe they are slightly different size (???) and more importantly! maybe some other brands are made of some different rubber. I've seen some similar washes that are kind of harder than "regular rubber" (if there is such thing...heh heh)....
also only time will show how this "replacement" will hold, and you need to use the machine. I don't use mine much. It's about a year or so since I've replaced mine and it is still fine .

NICE PHOTOS!!!!

 

[cjacek]

Daniel, did you use exact the same brand washer as I did or a different one? I am asking, because I would guess that there may be some "variations" of those, maybe they are slightly different size (???) and more importantly! maybe some other brands are made of some different rubber. I've seen some similar washes that are kind of harder than "regular rubber" (if there is such thing...heh heh)....
also only time will show how this "replacement" will hold, and you need to use the machine. I don't use mine much. It's about a year or so since I've replaced mine and it is still fine .

NICE PHOTOS!!!!

Mike, I didn't use the exact brand but tried to find the same specs or 13/16" male thread with the washer. I couldn't find just the washer and had to get the whole thing but it's still pretty cheap @ 5 bucks / piece. It's on there pretty good and it is a bit thicker (the bottom one almost didn't fit through the hole) but I think there's a bit of leeway in the way TEAC designed the 244. It appears to work fine, I think. Are you seeing something perhaps that I should look into? BTW, thanks on the photos.

 

[Dr ZEE]

Daniel, I was just wondering about how (or whether or not) different brand(s) washers would work. When I went to hardware store first I had no clue, so I just bought bunch of different washers (actually washer + adaptor sets, as you've said ) and I also got few different "o-rings" (I've used one as "control belt" - heh heh), and then I've tried them out and found that only one kind would fit and work as tires.

Are you seeing something perhaps that I should look into?

arghhhhhhhhhh,
the things I'm seeing usually are off topic ...

 

[cjacek]

When I went to hardware store first I had no clue, so I just bought bunch of different washers (actually washer + adaptor sets, as you've said ) and I also got few different "o-rings" (I've used one as "control belt" - heh heh), and then I've tried them out and found that only one kind would fit and work as tires.

...and, in turn, you've saved those, who wish to perform these repairs, an enormous amount of time and money. I thank you for that.

arghhhhhhhhhh,
the things I'm seeing usually are off topic ...