Argh, sad day for my 3014a [Archive]

Redfox

08-22-2011, 03:04 PM

Hi all,
Been away for a while, listening to good music.
Anyway I have been recording a tape tonight with Dire Straits, and it came out just fine.
Then afterwards, the disaster struck:
I was putting back the clear acryllic cover, and noticed that the lower black panel on which the clear one rests, was a bit loose.
I carefully took the clear one off, and the black lower cover almost fell in my hands.
It seems as if the small taps in the right side have become brittle and vanished. Since I have no kids, dogs etc, the house goblin must have eaten it.

Mega cry!!!

Anyway to make along scene short, I am humbly asking for advice on this:

Is there a method to secure it again, and prevent it from falling?
Or Is anyone haveing a spare cover that I could buy? I will pay all I can possibly manage to draw from my bank, to get it back together again.

Greetings,
Jacques *hope**hope**hope*

vidguy

08-22-2011, 06:27 PM

I'm not familiar with this deck.
Are you referring to threaded holes? If so, you can re-cut the threads with a tap.

braxus

08-22-2011, 07:16 PM

This is a common problem with this deck. Covers are hard to come by. You could ask Nick in New York for a spare or a way to fix yours. PM me if interested.

Scorpion8

08-22-2011, 09:02 PM

How about molding some epoxy and filing it to fit? Or craft some tabs out of softer plastic and epoxy them to the cover?

Redfox

08-23-2011, 01:09 AM

Thanks all,
I am not really sure about the shape though. Sounds like a last resort, but possibly possible ;)

Cheers,
Jacques.

vidguy

08-23-2011, 02:18 AM

Ohh.. TABS...

Nevermind.*embarrased*

HeadGap

08-23-2011, 02:34 AM

Can you take some pictures of the damaged area? And if the other side is still OK, maybe some pictures of the good one also?
Might help us to figure out a fix.*hope*

tandberg

08-23-2011, 08:22 AM

I don't have any spares....but
HOW MUCH can you possibly manage to draw from your bank, to get it back together again ???

I suggest glueing / with something on the backside to make it stronger.
Or buying a 3034 for parts.

I have a 3014A and when I assembled it I filed down the 'spring' on the side thats supposed to flex, since it was wery hard to 'open/close'

Just want to mention on 3004 it's a little different solution (Not visible when mounted) and it's supposed to be opened/closed different.

jdurbin1

08-23-2011, 11:37 AM

Two solutions:

1) Remove the same parts from a 3034 cover and insert/glue them into the 3014/3014A cover (as tandberg said, w/more detail)

2) It is possible to drill and insert two small screws at the corners where these little plastic hooks broke off, so that the head of the screw hooks under the edge of the faceplate as the hooks did.

I have performed #1 repair a few times now, it works on both upper and lower covers as well as on either end of those covers. Same parts basically. The only difference between them was color of anodizing, the clearance cuts on the lower cover (dual capstan vs. single), and the markings on the top covers.

#2 I have not performed, but I have seen one repaired that way on a deck sent to me. It actually worked very well and I would use it if I didn't have access to any intact plastic inserts from 3034 covers.

John

P.S. +1 on the 3004 being different, it has a straight-in tab that snaps into a receptacle inside the deck. Totally different parts and can't be used to repair 3014, even if you were to come across one. I don't know if they were less prone to breaking than the 3014 covers, as I've only had my hands on one 3004 (it was intact).

tandberg

08-23-2011, 03:54 PM

Is it the right (hook-side) or the left ('spring/tab' -side ) ???
They are supposed to be opened / svinged out from the left side.
If the right side is damaged I wuold cut/file new hooks, left side is more problematic, but make a piece of plastic and glue it to the end-piece / cover.

I have, by the way new black aluminium covers, but not the plastic ends.

jdurbin1

08-23-2011, 04:18 PM

For those following the discussion that haven't seen the actual parts, here's what they look like (attached image).

There are two little black plastic hooks at the right edge (top and bottom corners) that hook under the metal faceplate and hold that end of the two covers in place both vertically and horizontally, and a latch at the left end that does the same.

Jacques' deck has had one or more of the hooks break off on the lower cover.

John

Redfox

08-24-2011, 09:26 AM

Hi all,
Thanks for the answers, you guys are great !

I get the idea of small screws. Last resort.

I don't any broken off tabs, just one small fraction, and I really can't see any in the machine as well.

These Tandbergs are so hard to come by around my waters, and never ever see spares.

It's the two tabs on the right side that is broken off, though the left side looks a little amputated too.
I enclose a few pictures to clarify.

ps: Tandberg: much... well as much as I can spare anyway. I wanted this machine since I was a teenager, and felt so happy last year, when I finally got one. Still is.

Cheers,
Jacques.

jdurbin1

08-24-2011, 06:17 PM

Yep, the two little "hooks" on the right side are gone. They're only 2-3 mm or something like that, so easy to miss.

That latch on the left side is typical, too. The 3014 I just bought has one hook missing and the same diagonal cracked latch. Very common problem, unfortunately but not impossible to repair.

John

braxus

08-24-2011, 06:36 PM

Plastic become brittle in these decks, causing the failures you hear about. I would wonder if you could glue the tabs back on?

mang6669

08-24-2011, 07:37 PM

Patrik

08-25-2011, 02:16 PM

Since it's just a couple of hooks, it should be possible to fashion some sort of replacement bits that works. I can help with photos of the part, etc, if you can't find the broken off bits.

Hi all,
Thanks for the answers, you guys are great !

I get the idea of small screws. Last resort.

I don't any broken off tabs, just one small fraction, and I really can't see any in the machine as well.

These Tandbergs are so hard to come by around my waters, and never ever see spares.

It's the two tabs on the right side that is broken off, though the left side looks a little amputated too.
I enclose a few pictures to clarify.

ps: Tandberg: much... well as much as I can spare anyway. I wanted this machine since I was a teenager, and felt so happy last year, when I finally got one. Still is.

Cheers,
Jacques.

HitachiNut

08-26-2011, 06:58 AM

I have the same problem with my 3014A and Nick replaced it with another spare part(not the whole cover by which he still has a brand new one at that time) he had in his inventory when he restores my 3014A last summer. Check with Braxus for Nick's contact info and see whether he still had those spare parts in stock for sale.

Good Luck,
Mike

braxus

08-26-2011, 09:20 AM

Check with Braxus for Nick's contact info and see whether he still had those spare parts in stock for sale.

He's already done so and got it. Nick is aware of this issue with the deck as he has commented on protecting the cover so the tabs don't break off while in shipping.

Redfox

08-27-2011, 07:20 AM

Hi all,
Thanks for the answers,

I would like to have a few photo's of the tabs unbroken, so having a guideline of how it should look.

Anyway, I wrote Nick, and hope to get an answer when he have time.

Cheers,
Jacques.

braxus

08-27-2011, 09:01 AM

Anyway, I wrote Nick, and hope to get an answer when he have time.

I actually talked to him about it yesterday. I wasn't sure if he could do something for you when I was mentioning it. He said he could do something, but it would look really unprofessional- so he wasn't sure he'd do it. But you can talk to him about it.

Patrik

09-06-2011, 02:49 AM

Photos and measurements will turn up!
I haven't forgotten, but my main PC with card reader etc has been disconnected due to redecorating my study (and chucking out 100s of space wasting items).

Hi all,
Thanks for the answers,

I would like to have a few photo's of the tabs unbroken, so having a guideline of how it should look.

Anyway, I wrote Nick, and hope to get an answer when he have time.

Cheers,
Jacques.

Patrik

09-13-2011, 09:03 AM

OK, my study and main PC are finally usable again!
Here are some photos with measurements:

https://picasaweb.google.com/patrikfloding/Tandberg3014Covers?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL3op86BlKmdTA&feat=directlink

Let me know if you need any more measurements or explanations!
When the photo does not show the measurment, then the photo directly after shows the associated value.

Redfox

09-21-2011, 11:49 AM

Hi Patrik, thanks a lot. I will see if I can work out some copies from all those nice photos.

Meanwhile I am still looking to buy a lower cover if anyone has one that they are willing to sell. Please give me a shout then.

Cheers,
Jacques *reelspin*

Redfox

09-29-2011, 01:02 PM

Hi all,
Just a small update.

I managed to find one of the broken off hooks inside, glued it on, and now the cover sits nicely where it's supposed to be, and firmly. Sure hopes it stays that way!
Will have to make up some sort of thing for the other hook, to make it complete.
So far so good. Well chuffed ;)

Cheers,
Jacques *reelspin*

jdurbin1

09-29-2011, 06:45 PM

Excellent!

John

Redfox

10-04-2011, 03:00 PM

Thanks John,
Actually you got to really like the 3014/3014a for it's excellent sound. Every time I play a tape, it is amazing how well and natural it sounds. Great stuff, but hard to maintain it seems. Hmm, maybe I just came 20 years too late?
My neighbour upstairs passed by the other day, and was truly chocked of how well a 3014/3014a plays. He said he'd never heard anything like that machine compared to other cassettedecks and cd's. I have, but that's another story.
Another thing that amazes me, is the quality of the headphone putlet. Really plays well compared to what I usually have heard.
Just made a jazz recording, and it actually sounds like jazz. It swings and oozes atmosphere ;)
Thought I had a channel error, but it just turned out to be one of my headphones getting a little long in the legs. So it will soon be retired to the great shelf of experiences... ;)

On a sidenote I talked to a guy who have one of his td20a se for sale for an oaky sum (?). I must admit I am a little hooked on that, since it like the 3014a have been in the back of my head for decades. But don't really have the space to place it propperly. Hmm, choices choices...
Cheers,
Jacques.

jdurbin1

10-04-2011, 05:18 PM

Another fabulous deck when it comes to sonics... now, what you need is to find a free one like Tinman does (TD20A SE and a 10XD, recent finds), or maybe the $35 TD 20A deal like the one I spotted in NYC Craigslist today!

Deals like that will make it easy to decide *reelspin**reelspin*

John

Redfox

10-08-2011, 02:57 AM

Sure it will ;)
I am afraid that those deals do not exist around these waters (Denmark).
For who knows? Some more floding, and the last goodies may surface, when people clean out the basements.
Anyway I like the SE Highspeed ;)

Cheers,
Jacques *reelspin*

Patrik

11-26-2011, 02:40 PM

Glad it got sorted!
I still get surprised every time I listen to the 3014 how good it sounds!

Hi all,
Just a small update.

I managed to find one of the broken off hooks inside, glued it on, and now the cover sits nicely where it's supposed to be, and firmly. Sure hopes it stays that way!
Will have to make up some sort of thing for the other hook, to make it complete.
So far so good. Well chuffed ;)

Cheers,
Jacques *reelspin*

Redfox

12-09-2011, 04:47 PM

me too, it simply blows my neighbour upstairs away in quality compared to his cd-player. A piano sounds rock steady.
I really like this machine for it's soundquality, not for sparepartsituation ;)
I son't use it very much, but keep it clean and listen to a tape once in a while. Now as we get into the winter, It'll see some more use.
Clearly Tandberg was made by people who love music.

Cheers,
Jacques *reelspin*

macster

12-09-2011, 05:35 PM

I'm also loving mine, although it's not a 3014A, it is pretty good and very musical.

M~

braxus

12-09-2011, 06:09 PM

Aside from the technical issues mine seems to keep having, Im very happy with the sound the 3014A deck produces. Its the standard I now judge other decks from.

HitachiNut

12-12-2011, 07:47 PM

I love the sound of my 3014A even though its built quality is not as reliable as my Nakamichi. It has a sound so sweet that it never leaves my mind. Absolutely a lovely sounding machine.

Mike

macster

12-13-2011, 01:36 PM

I love the sound of my 3014A even though its built quality is not as reliable as my Nakamichi. It has a sound so sweet that it never leaves my mind. Absolutely a lovely sounding machine.

Mike

Yeah, I hear you. I'm glad that I have someone local to repair mine. I'm going to get some parts for backup though,

M~

HitachiNut

12-14-2011, 06:39 AM

The meters may not be the problem as the coils can be substituted using other models from Tandberg (just need recalibration). Motors and Playback heads should be the most important parts to get stocked for backup. Other than cosmetic parts(which might be unreplaceable unless you find a part deck) I guess most of the electronic parts can be replaced with substitutes with ease.

Good Listening.

macster

12-14-2011, 08:57 AM

Redfox

02-14-2012, 10:38 AM

Aaahhhh! Good day for my 3014a ;)

I have just been listening and recording Sade's Lovers Rock on a new TDK SA 90 minutes tape. Turned on amp 1 hour before, cleaned cable contacts, tuned on 3014a 10 min. before, winded tape forth and back first, dialed the 3014a in and recorded.

What can I say? Absolutely great sound. Rock solid steady, detailed, clear, vibrant, natural, smooth, ooooohhhhhhh I love this deck.

I must admit I had a loveaffair with a Nak, but that was brief and don't want to look back if possible - spares, repair etc (Tandberg).

Result: Man, Shade's über beautiful voice and great music just flows into my ears and soul with this deck.

I would have posted a nice picture of it, but don't know how to??

Cheers,
Jacques *reelspin*

ps: did I mention I really like this deck?