Aligning Reel Table

[jcmusic]

What would be the proper way to align the reel table so the tape is in line with the tensioners?

Jay

[reel-to-reel-man]

That's a good question and you may find people have their own methods of doing this, some will use feeler gauges to get the pitch from the tape deck to the platter correct but it all depends on what machine you are talking about. If you are talking about something like a Teac or Otari, usually you have to remove the case of the machine and adjust an Allen bolt on the reel hub spindle, slacken, move the hub and tighten.


I myself stick a reel of tape on the machine, adjust by eye that the tape is going onto the centre of the reel hub, then once its done by eye, let the recorder wind some tape onto the reel (Rewind or fast forward which ever you are adjusting) then check and adjust it again.

The correct way I would assume is to get the service manual which will give the correct height adjustment.

[Scorpion8]

I've seen decks that come with spacer sheets to place between your reel and the reel platter to stand-off the reel and make alignment perfect. That's the cheap and easy way, since once you permanently adjust the platter for one reel it may make others out of alignment.

[TheReeler]

I've seen decks that come with spacer sheets to place between your reel and the reel platter to stand-off the reel and make alignment perfect. That's the cheap and easy way, since once you permanently adjust the platter for one reel it may make others out of alignment.
The spacers are used always when you use 10.5" metal reels because the width of the flanges is smaller than the common ones in plastic reels or most 7" reels, plastic or metal.

But that doesn't solve the problem if your reel tables aren't correctly aligned. I usually do the same procedure than Stuart said.

The easiest system is the one found in the Pioneer RT-909: the screw that is inside of the spindle is used to regulate the height directly without the need of opening the deck.

[Skywavebe]

Hi JCMusic;
The way it is done in almost all decks is you get access to the lockdowns of the reel table mounts. This in Teac and Tascam is done by access to the side of the machine by taking off the metal case or the wood side panels. Then it is just a matter of loosening the Allen nuts or Philips screws or other type locking devices. With the reel of tape on that is at the beginning of the reel you tighten one nut and allows some rotation and observe the pack of the tape in the middle of the hub from the side. If is is not exactly in the middle then loosen the nut and tap the center shaft gently until the table seems correct then tighten a little on the nut and again observe the pack. During this pack if you are using good reels there should be no rubbing of any kinf on a flange. Once you are sure it is where it should be tighten the screws or nuts by hand but do not use real high force as in some equipment the threads are only in pot metal and it will strip leaving you with another problem. Hand tight is usually good enough. Care must be taken to not start this procedure with a badly bent in or out tension arm as this may be the problem and the reel table might already be correct. The above procedure assumes that the tension arms are correct to start. Studers are a lot different but the same idea of doing the job- just different mechanics. The Otari as I remember are pretty simple the Scully are more a pain.

[Scorpion8]

The spacers are used always when you use 10.5" metal reels because the width of the flanges is smaller than the common ones in plastic reels or most 7" reels, plastic or metal.

That makes sense. Ha! Ya learn something new every day. *Hi5*

[jcmusic]

Ok guys thanks alot.

Jay