Tape Curl @#%^&$%

[Scorpion8]

Okay, I've had a Sony TC-K71 on my work bench for a bit trying to correct a tape curl issue. The problem is, it doesn't do it with every tape, or any specific brand or even on both sides of a tape! It'll play one side of a tape fine, or not. It may start to curl the tape edge, or not at all. It may do one side, but not the other. It may do one TDK D, but not a different tape. Same with every brand.

And of course, using my head view cassette (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=4435) as specified by Sony .... well, it doesn't do it with that tape that's in the cassette (new Maxell UR used because the shells are sooooo clear). Argh!

Anybody got any ideas??? It seems to be the outer edge but without seeing it while the view cassette is in place it's maddeningly frustrating!

[390FE]

Scorp I had a Pioneer car deck that had a similar problem but only with spacific tapes. The tape that had the problem in this deck had no problems in other decks just the Pioneer car deck. The deck has been out of service for a couple decades partly due to that & the fact of only being abt 3 watts a ch.

I suspect it has to do with the pinch roller(s). As I suspect & felt that was the problem with my old Pioneer car deck.

Other possibilities are:

The capstan bearing/bushing being worn.

Pinch roller spring pressure being off.

Pinch roller pin/bushing being worn.

Pinch roller being worn, dirty, contaminated.

Tape head(s) being misaligned bad enough that the tape guide is impinging on the tape.

Tape guide(s) worn, dirty or misaligned.

Defective tape. The slit/tape width is wrong or bad.

The tape is too thin (could be a defect).

I know this is a royal *headache* as I too have had this happen to me.

[khongtiennang]

Okay, I've had a Sony TC-K71 on my work bench for a bit trying to correct a tape curl issue. The problem is, it doesn't do it with every tape, or any specific brand or even on both sides of a tape! It'll play one side of a tape fine, or not. It may start to curl the tape edge, or not at all. It may do one side, but not the other. It may do one TDK D, but not a different tape. Same with every brand.

And of course, using my head view cassette (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=4435) as specified by Sony .... well, it doesn't do it with that tape that's in the cassette (new Maxell UR used because the shells are sooooo clear). Argh!

Anybody got any ideas??? It seems to be the outer edge but without seeing it while the view cassette is in place it's maddeningly frustrating!



Check the tape path with mirrow cassette is good but you may check also the dual capstan belt, left pinch roller spring/back tension.

When the belt get loose the tape curl begins at beginning of tape by playing mostly.

As i experienced by sony decks, in most cases the position of left pinch roller gets to wrong position after longtime of using.

[Scorpion8]

Check the tape path with mirrow cassette is good but you may check also the dual capstan belt, left pinch roller spring/back tension.

When the belt get loose the tape curl begins at beginning of tape by playing mostly.

As i experienced by sony decks, in most cases the position of left pinch roller gets to wrong position after longtime of using.

Thanks. I was concentrating on the left pinch roller tape feed guide. I guess what I need to do is go thru some scrap tapes and find one that has this occur, and then turn THAT tape into a head view cassette but cutting out the slots to view and go from there.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

Okay, I've had a Sony TC-K71 on my work bench for a bit trying to correct a tape curl issue. The problem is, it doesn't do it with every tape, or any specific brand or even on both sides of a tape! It'll play one side of a tape fine, or not. It may start to curl the tape edge, or not at all. It may do one side, but not the other. It may do one TDK D, but not a different tape. Same with every brand.

And of course, using my head view cassette (http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=4435) as specified by Sony .... well, it doesn't do it with that tape that's in the cassette (new Maxell UR used because the shells are sooooo clear). Argh!

Anybody got any ideas??? It seems to be the outer edge but without seeing it while the view cassette is in place it's maddeningly frustrating!

I have head the same issue with one of my Revoxes . It happened only with Sony SR 100. As soon as I increased the pressure on pinch rollers the problem was gone.

D.

[Scorpion8]

Thanks D. I was just fiddling with it and a 2nd head view cassette I made (different brand) when the tape rode up over the outside of the LHS tape feed guide momentarily coming towards the outside of the deck and then rode back into the slot. In your opinion, does that sound like pinch roller pressure? Changing that is pretty easy on these.

[Scorpion8]

Check the tape path with mirrow cassette is good but you may check also the dual capstan belt, left pinch roller spring/back tension.

When the belt get loose the tape curl begins at beginning of tape by playing mostly.

Yea, it alwaays seems to be at the beginning of the tape but not the leader.

As i experienced by sony decks, in most cases the position of left pinch roller gets to wrong position after longtime of using.

Off hand in or out? I would say mine may need to be adjusted OUT.

[Dimitar Georgiev]

Thanks D. I was just fiddling with it and a 2nd head view cassette I made (different brand) when the tape rode up over the outside of the LHS tape feed guide momentarily coming towards the outside of the deck and then rode back into the slot. In your opinion, does that sound like pinch roller pressure? Changing that is pretty easy on these.


If the sound changes with Pinch roller pressure I did not notice it. Your pinch roller pressure should be as specified by service manual. If you get tape curling or slips out of the guide edge with nominal pinch roller pressure then you need to buy new pinch rollers.

D.

[390FE]

I have head the same issue with one of my Revoxes . It happened only with Sony SR 100. As soon as I increased the pressure on pinch rollers the problem was gone.

D.

I had the SAME problem with a Brand New newer Green Wraper Sony SR100 on my Proton 740 & with the same tape on my Nak 582 was even worse. Then tried a new latest edition Maxell XLII-S 100 & didn't have a problem. I then cleaned the pinch roller on the Proton 740 & tried another Brand New Green Wraper Sony SR100 & didn't have a problem. I also didn't have any problem with older used Sony SR100 tapes I have had for years. So I figured the one Brand New Green wraper Sony SR100 tape was defective and/or very very sensitive to even slightly dirty pinch roller & capstans.

[Scorpion8]

I need a new LHS pinch roller. Pretty sure that is it. Now, to find one....

[Dimitar Georgiev]

I had the SAME problem with a Brand New newer Green Wraper Sony SR100 on my Proton 740 & with the same tape on my Nak 582 was even worse. Then tried a new latest edition Maxell XLII-S 100 & didn't have a problem. I then cleaned the pinch roller on the Proton 740 & tried another Brand New Green Wraper Sony SR100 & didn't have a problem. I also didn't have any problem with older used Sony SR100 tapes I have had for years. So I figured the one Brand New Green wraper Sony SR100 tape was defective and/or very very sensitive to even slightly dirty pinch roller & capstans.


I think many of those green wrapper Sony 100SR have defective tape - either is thinner than what is supposed to or its surface does not provide the necessary for the pinch roller friction..

D.

[390FE]

I need a new LHS pinch roller. Pretty sure that is it. Now, to find one....

Scorp MCM still lists 1 cassette tape pinch roller in their 2009 # 53 catalog on page 158.

Order #/ Part # 42-3250

Size:

O.D. = 9mm

W = 6mm

I.D = 1.5mm

Price:

1-9 = $0.83

10-up = $0.63


Only problem is the last I knew they had a $25.00 Minimum Order. *fit*
So you may want to stock up on some Caig DeOxit or something.*Hi5*