I got a Nakamichi 480 for $7

[iamhifi]

So I went to the bank this morning and something told me go to the Good Will next close by and there it was a Nak 480 in nice shape for 7.00. So I said, what is the worst can happen that is not working I keep it for parts. So I plug the tape to the wall and no play, fast foward and rewind but no play. So I clean the entire machine firs, then I open the case, took the face plate off and look at the mechanism, alll motorts are working but doesn't complete the cam cycle. So I move the wheel a bit press play and move the mechanism up to engage play. I had to press play and stop a few time then it began moving freely but the tape doesn't move, what is happening I ask myself, well the cam did not totally completed the cycle, the last 1/8 of an inch does not move. After a while of pressing play and stopping started working. I see that the grease is a bit dry and i bet that is the source of the problem. Does anyone knows what kind of grease is used in Nak mechanism.
Angel

[Scorpion8]

Awesome score! A Nak480 is a simple machine, but very good deck. I have a silver one that I also got at a thrift for $5 myself. They clean up real easy. As far as the grease issue, it was a lighter grease than (e.g. bearing grease) but you can use white lithium grease on the plastic cogs and gears just fine. I'd use a dental pick and pull out as many pieces of the hardened grease that you can, maybe hit it with some contact cleaner to flush out some of the old grease and re-lube.

ps- The SM and OM are freely available also.

[iamhifi]

Thanks for the tip, this is simple classic Nak. Everything looks great the rollers, and heads are like new, the circuit looks great.
Thanks,
Angel

[iamhifi]

Does anybody knows which of the VR controls the cam adjustments on the Nak 480. I see the VR 101, 102, 103, 202, 203, 204. I think that the 202 is the stop, the 203 is the play and 204 is FF, RW. I get my anlogy from a ZX-9 manual on the first page. This adjustments have to be in 3 sets of controls, but I don't have a manual and I can't confirm.
Angel

[Dimitar Georgiev]

Does anybody knows which of the VR controls the cam adjustments on the Nak 480. I see the VR 101, 102, 103, 202, 203, 204. I think that the 202 is the stop, the 203 is the play and 204 is FF, RW. I get my anlogy from a ZX-9 manual on the first page. This adjustments have to be in 3 sets of controls, but I don't have a manual and I can't confirm.
Angel

Angel if you decide to use it for spare parts I badly need the rubber diaphragm of the pneumatic damper, willing to pay reasonable price for it.

D.

[iamhifi]

Ok I found it on the net, VR 603, same as Zx-7, Zx-9 and maybe more decks. So now I need lithium grease.
Angel

[speakerman1]

I got a whole kit with grease and oil, and head cleaner fron The Reel Pro Sound Guys.