Tascam TSR-8 Pinch roller issue

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Dantacruz

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Hey, I'm new to this forum, but think I'll be around a bit. I've picked up some great info here.. but I'm stumped enough to start my own thread. Any TSR-8 fans out there?

I recently acquired a Tascam TSR-8, that hadn't been fired up in over ten years. I'm excited to get it up and running.

The play function wasn't working, so I opened it up, and found the capstan belt had slid off. As a test, I popped it back up on the wheel, and then the play button worked as it should, until it slid off again.

I replaced the worn out belt today (pat on the freakin' back!) and now when you hit play, the pinch roller clicks up against the capstan as it should, but evidently not firmly enough. If I push the pinch roller with my finger up against the capstan, the play function engages and seem to do it's thing, but stops as soon as I let go.

Before I open it all up again tomorrow, I thought I'd check to see if anyone knows what it might be. The rubber on the pinch roller seems to be in good shape. Is there a spring, or a tension adjustment that needs to be made? I feel like I'm so close!

So, to re-cap.. yes, the capstan is spinning nicely with it's new belt, and the rubber looks good on the pinch roller. They just don't seem to be mashing together hard enough to engage the play function. I'm also using a new reel of RMG tape.
Cheers!
 
As I understand it, the pinch solenoid is held in place by two screws. You can adjust its position to change the pressure.

What you're supposed to do is something like this:

1. Remove any tape from the machine.
2. Use a rubber band or piece of string to hold the right tension arm in the upward position so that the capstan is running.
3. Use a spring balance to check the pressure. Loop it around the shaft of the pinch roller with a piece of thread.
4. Put the machine into play mode, without any tape loaded. Using the spring balance, pull the pinch roller until it just stops turning. (The service manual assumes that the pinch roller was turning in the first place, of course). The force measured on the spring balance should be somewhere between 1.2 and 1.5 kilograms (which IIRC is 12-15 Newtons).

To adjust it, loosen the two screws holding the solenoid in place, move it further back, tighten the screws and take new measurements.

EDIT: I've been through that with my Studer a couple of times. Makes me wish for a Stephens machine or something, they used the reel servos instead of a capstan drive. 'Course, you can't play tape loops on a machine like that, but for mastering it's a compromise I'd be happy to make
 
also you should make sure that there is no gumming on the solenoid. Probably a good idea to clean up and lube as well.
 
Awesome. Thanks for the reply! Most likely I need to re-position that solenoid. I will try that. I messed with the solenoid when I replaced the capstan belt, and probably didn't put it back in the same place. I need to take back that initial pat on my own back!

I will try lubing it too. Any suggestions for what type of lube to use? Thanks for the tips guys. Excited to take her apart and get her up and running!
 
Whoo hoo! Totally worked. Psyched. My machine is working as it should. And this forum is working as it should!!! Thanks so much. It's a good day.:thumbs up:
 
I just moved the solenoid back. Haven't lubed anything yet. Seems to be working great. Cheers!
 
Take the time to lube it while you are in it. Tascam grease dries up over the DECADES and starts messing with the works. The solenoid linkages and the tape lifter linkages are both susceptible to gumming up with old grease.
 
Do NOT lube the armature/plunger on the solenoid.It has a baked on dry lube,most likely Moly-Coat or Graphite.The fit in the solenoid is tight.Any wet lube will just gum it up.If the solenoid was misaligned,and the dry lube has worn off,you can rub a pencil,(graphite), on it in a pinch to lube it.
 
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