People seem to like these things around here.

I just got 2 Teac Reel to Reel decks for a pretty decent price (I think?). I got a A7010 2 Track and a A3340 4 Track for about $500 for the pair. They are in really good cosmetic condition but definitely need some service and cleaning as I don't think they have been used in a really long time. So far, the 4 track seems to be mechanically functioning but I haven't tested any sound yet. The 2 track pinch roller isn't engaging, and there is a weird little cage over the capstan I haven't seen before that seems to obstruct the roller anyway. Anyway, here is a thread for Reel to Reel stuff.

Is 99% Iso Pro Alcohol fine for cleaning heads/tape path, or do I need fancy head cleaner?

Any tips are appreciated.
WTF is that little thing doing there, it seems in the way?

Kniferide wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:10 pm WTF is that little thing doing there, it seems in the way?

So this is one of those situations where my limited knowledge may be of assistance, but also I might be pointing out something obvious and therefore I might be dumb.

The doohickey wheel with the roller is used to change the speed from 7.5 inch/sec to 3.75 inch/sec. There should be an attachment you remove/replace to do this.

My sincerest apologies as I have no idea what are the actual terms for this or if I’m even talking about the same thing you are.

I probably should shut up and let the pros comment. My credentials are limited to the fact that I inherited a similar deck from my Dad and that’s what that thing does on his deck.

jfv wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:37 pm

Kniferide wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 7:10 pm WTF is that little thing doing there, it seems in the way?

So this is one of those situations where my limited knowledge may be of assistance, but also I might be pointing out something obvious and therefore I might be dumb.

The doohickey wheel with the roller is used to change the speed from 7.5 inch/sec to 3.75 inch/sec. There should be an attachment you remove/replace to do this.

My sincerest apologies as I have no idea what are the actual terms for this or if I’m even talking about the same thing you are.

I probably should shut up and let the pros comment. My credentials are limited to the fact that I inherited a similar deck from my Dad and that’s what that thing does on his deck.

Hmm. That isn't accurate if my knowledge is any good at all. The pinch roller pinches the tape to the capstan (little spinning pin) and that is actually what pulls the tape through the tape path at the selected speed (selected my the Speed Selector switch, in this case 3 1/4 or 7 1/2) The capstan tends to always be spinning, and only engages the tape when you hit Play, in FFWD or REV the motors on the hubs pull the tape, back and forth. I've never seen a little cage over a capstan, and never needed to adapt the capstan itself to change speed on any machine I've owned, which is limited to an Otari MX5050, Tascam TSR8, and a bunch of old sonys. This little cage actually keeps the pinch roller from pinching the tape. It's curious because it cannot function with it on, but it looks like an original part even though NONE of the pictures of this machine include it. I'll look into it being some sort of speed corrector thing though, maybe to even record/play slower than the 3 1/4" ips?

^ I’m guessing I’m not referring to the same thing that you are.

I’ll stop commenting. I know there are pros on here that know better than me.

Electrical has a youtube vid of Greg doing some tape machine maintenance, which I imagine translates just fine to a smaller machine. I recall him saying to use isopropyl alcohol of "at least 90%" and using it to clean heads, but to take care not to get to far from the center of the heads as there's coatings on stuff elsewhere that could be effected by the alcohol.
I think it's this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3YKV5aLw10

Don't clean rubber parts with alcohol.

does not look like the cage is meant to be there!

matttkkkk wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:44 pm does not look like the cage is meant to be there!

Yeah, its weird. I'm wondering of it was just a piece put on to protect it while not in use or something. As it is, I can't see that could possibly ever work with it on. Also, I just notices that it is somewhat magnetic. My screw driver sticks to it a little. That ain't good. Maybe a weird attachable tape eraser? No idea?

I removed the weird part and now the capstan is spinning freely. That's good. The pinch roller is not moving freely, it has to be forced down. I'm trying to remove the rocker arm, but it is really stuck on there. Using a heat gun to melt the gooey old lube made it move a little better but I cannot slide it off yet.

What lube is recommended for this type of thing? Lithium Grease? I have sewing machine oil for bearings and such. I'll post pics later.

Been forever +1 since I worked on any tape machines so I've nothing helpful to add here, but I'm quoting this for emphasis:

thecr4ne wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:42 pm Don't clean rubber parts with alcohol.

Unless of course you enjoy ruining things, in which case go nuts.

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:27 am Been forever +1 since I worked on any tape machines so I've nothing helpful to add here, but I'm quoting this for emphasis:

thecr4ne wrote: Mon Jul 03, 2023 8:42 pm Don't clean rubber parts with alcohol.

Unless of course you enjoy ruining things, in which case go nuts.

I have just been using water and a micro fiber cloth on the rubber shit. Not sure if that is the best thing but it seemed safe enough.