optical
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Post by optical on Mar 24, 2023 11:07:49 GMT
Hi all, I've gone and bought a tape deck. It's a Technics RS M215 (I'll do a little thread on it actually as it's a lovely thing). However I have a question regarding one of the 'sprocket/rollers' (sorry I have no idea as to the terminology of the parts here!). Basically the little silver on in the pic.  It comes on and spins as soon as the deck is turned on, even when it is not playing or is paused etc. Is this normal? As I can hear it quite prominently when no tape is playing. It's fine if it is normal, just didn't notice it when I checked the deck over at work, now I've brought it home (into a quieter environment) and I can hear it . . . Any advice appreciated! Cheers |
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Post by firebottle on Mar 24, 2023 13:28:24 GMT
It's called the capstan. Basically a rotating spindle to move the tape through the mechanism (cassette).
The noise is posibly from the bearings, it is usually sintered bronze that the capstan passes though, probably with a nylon end bearing the other side of the flywheel.
Clean the capstan as well as you can, isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud works well. some light machine oil to the bearing may make it quieter.
The noise may be coming from the drive motor also, if you can remove the belt easily that will prove it, or not.
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optical
Moderator
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Be Excellent To Eachother
Posts: 1,559
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Post by optical on Mar 24, 2023 13:31:47 GMT
It's called the capstan. Basically a rotating spindle to move the tape through the mechanism (cassette). The noise is posibly from the bearings, it is usually sintered bronze that the capstan passes though, probably with a nylon end bearing the other side of the flywheel. Clean the capstan as well as you can, isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud works well. some light machine oil to the bearing may make it quieter. The noise may be coming from the drive motor also, if you can remove the belt easily that will prove it, or not. Hi Alan, thanks for reply. The noise is fine really it's just the thing stays on (rotating) all the time, just wondering if this is normal really? |
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Post by firebottle on Mar 24, 2023 14:09:39 GMT
Normal that it is rotating continuously when power is on.
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optical
Moderator
BIG STAR
Be Excellent To Eachother
Posts: 1,559
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Post by optical on Mar 24, 2023 15:07:28 GMT
Normal that it is rotating continuously when power is on. Ah okay, I must just have not noticed it when I gave it a check over at work. Cool, so even when no tape is in and no buttons are pressed, it's normal that it's rotating? That's fine, thanks for confirming. I am surprised how good it really sounds actually  |
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Post by lurch on Mar 24, 2023 15:53:55 GMT
I still have my Sony TC-FX150 (a highly rated budget deck) I bought in early 88, did a service (new belts) on it during lock down 1. Only problem is I got rid of all my tapes in the late 90s, and can only currently find classical in the charity shops so it not get played very often.
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