Hello I just bought a TSR-8 reel to reel and have noticed the take up reel is rubbing against the side of the unit. It seems to be caused by a bent motor shaft but I can't get the plastic hubs off to have a look at it as I don't have the manual and I can't figure out how to get them off.
Can anyone advise on how to get the hubs off and a any possible solutions for the bent shaft if it is bent.
Thanks for any responses.
Danny

I think the hubs (the plastic clamping things onto which you put reels) on mine are just held on by a phillips-head screw in the center. I think I remember the hub being kind of stuck onto the rubbery segment below it, but a little pulling/twisting got it off.

I think one of the reels was rubbing on mine at first, too, but it was cured when I replaced the hubs (which I just did coz they didn't clamp well anymore). Tascam still had them (couple years ago) and they were under $20 I think. They may have the manual for sale too.

Now, if you mean the metal thingy with the rubberized top that goes under the hub is crooked, I have no idea what to do.

oyrgawd wrote:I think the hubs (the plastic clamping things onto which you put reels) on mine are just held on by a phillips-head screw in the center. I think I remember the hub being kind of stuck onto the rubbery segment below it, but a little pulling/twisting got it off.

I think one of the reels was rubbing on mine at first, too, but it was cured when I replaced the hubs (which I just did coz they didn't clamp well anymore). Tascam still had them (couple years ago) and they were under $20 I think. They may have the manual for sale too.

Now, if you mean the metal thingy with the rubberized top that goes under the hub is crooked, I have no idea what to do.

This is exactly what I was going to say. Except that I got my replacement hubs on eBay. I forget how much they cost, but I don't remember it being terribly expensive. A new headstack, on the other hand, *IS* terribly expensive.

Oh, and if I remember right, the metal piece that mounts onto the motor shaft, onto which the plastic hub mounts, is attached via one hex set screw.

But if anything is bent there (other than just the plastic hub being cracked, which I think might be somewhat common) you're talking about more than just a hub replacement. I have no idea how hard it would be to replace (or unbend) the motor shaft, but I would expect it to be a pain in the ass.

i have the same problem with my tsr-8. i "fixed it" by removing the left hand, erm, thing. i'm not too sure what you call it, but it's a kind of metal strip that you can take off to reveal the rack-mount holes. it was rubbing against that, so i removed it.
though, apparently, if you run the machine horizontally it's less likely to happen. i.e. the problem is caused by the weight of the reel pulling the hub downwards. as and when i figure a way to carve a hole in my desk to facilitate a flat operation, i'll let you know.

thanks for all the replies unfortunately it looks like a bent shaft. i've fixed it by putting an extra piece of rubber between the plastic hub and the plate to which it attaches.
i've now discovered the rewind button doesn't work though! I checked the rewind button and it seems to be working ok, the return to zero function works ok so i'm assuming something between rewind button and motor. I ordered a copy of the manual from America (i'm in the UK) which might help me track down the problem but if anyone has more suggestions it would be greatly appreciated again.
Thanks Danny

hey, i have a copy of the technical manual. i just moved house a few days ago, though, and the place is a dump. hit me up with a message next week (by when i'd hopefully have found it) and maybe i could photocopy it for you if that would be useful?

thanks for the offer jon very kind of you, hopefully the manual i ordered from america should have arrived by the end of the week though.

does anyone have any other thoughts on this machine?

I know the thread was originally about the take up reel, but it's titled TSR-8, and I don't wanna start another one with that name.

I'm about to get one for $450, including a remote and some sealed reels of 456.

any specific things i should look for when i'm looking at the machine?

The rack-mounting hardware is real handy and hard to find. Same goes for the manual. And if they have a demagger and an MRL tape that'd also be great. Someone else will probably tell you about head wear, which I'm not an expert on, but that'd be something to look at.

he's including rack ears, so that's a plus, but no MRL tape. =(

i'm not sure about a demagger though.