Ferrograph pinch wheel - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

saxmaniac · 28th Mar 2015, 11:00 pm

I have just got a series 5 Ferrograph into working order and on7"1/2 it sounds absolutely superb but is a little bit warbly on3.75 probably because the pinch wheel has microscopic cracks due to starting to perish. As a Newby on these, is it an expensive specialist job to re rubber it or is there an easy solution? I know rubber renovation compound will not work as that will not remove cracks. Has anyone tried adding a thin outer skin to one?

Michael Maurice · 29th Mar 2015, 1:18 am

I dont know how to re-rubber pinch rollers, but it involves grinding the rubber so that it is perfectly concentric.

If I were you, I'd send the roller to terrys rubber rollers and have it done professionally.

TIMTAPE · 29th Mar 2015, 2:42 am

The Series 5 has a brass pinch roller.

saxmaniac · 29th Mar 2015, 7:55 am

Tim, sorry, it's a series 2. The rubber is attached to the capstan spindle, the pinch roller is brass. I think in the interests of economy I might try to shave down the rubber in the lathe and try to turn a rubber "bush" to fit. Probably end in tears!

sp10mk11 · 29th Mar 2015, 9:19 am

Well worth a try though, if I had a lathe I would do allsorts of jobs.

Terry does do an amazing job, he uses very high quality rubber that won't perish in a few years, basically you are getting a brand new part.

There used to be a guy down here who specialised in re-rubbering ferrograph rollers etc but he moved to france some years ago

Good luck
Gary

Tractorfan · 29th Mar 2015, 12:32 pm

Hi,
Of course, the diameter of the capstan is critical to correct tape speed, whereas the pinch roller isn't. So, it'd be an interesting exercise. Luckily, the capstan on my Series Five is still good (so far!)
Cheers, Pete.

saxmaniac · 29th Mar 2015, 11:21 pm

I'm thinking of getting a lump of rubber from a vehicle rubber mount such as a Mini exhaust mounting unless anyone has any bright ideas for a source of rubber.

nutteronthebus · 31st Mar 2015, 6:37 pm

Hi David Durrant remakes pinch rollers for the series 7 try him at Mouse Hall
South Lane
Houghton
BN18 9LN

dseymo1 · 31st Mar 2015, 8:37 pm

A redundant printer will offer a selection of rubber rollers to experiment with.
Keep it in the freezer before trying to machine it.

saxmaniac · 1st Apr 2015, 2:36 pm

Good ideas both. The biggest fun will be boring out the centre I think.

28th Mar 2015, 11:00 pm	#1
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Ferrograph pinch wheel I have just got a series 5 Ferrograph into working order and on7"1/2 it sounds absolutely superb but is a little bit warbly on3.75 probably because the pinch wheel has microscopic cracks due to starting to perish. As a Newby on these, is it an expensive specialist job to re rubber it or is there an easy solution? I know rubber renovation compound will not work as that will not remove cracks. Has anyone tried adding a thin outer skin to one?

29th Mar 2015, 1:18 am	#2
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,222	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel I dont know how to re-rubber pinch rollers, but it involves grinding the rubber so that it is perfectly concentric. If I were you, I'd send the roller to terrys rubber rollers and have it done professionally. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

29th Mar 2015, 2:42 am	#3
TIMTAPE Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,969	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel The Series 5 has a brass pinch roller.

29th Mar 2015, 7:55 am	#4
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel Tim, sorry, it's a series 2. The rubber is attached to the capstan spindle, the pinch roller is brass. I think in the interests of economy I might try to shave down the rubber in the lathe and try to turn a rubber "bush" to fit. Probably end in tears!

29th Mar 2015, 9:19 am	#5
sp10mk11 Octode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,275	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel Well worth a try though, if I had a lathe I would do allsorts of jobs. Terry does do an amazing job, he uses very high quality rubber that won't perish in a few years, basically you are getting a brand new part. There used to be a guy down here who specialised in re-rubbering ferrograph rollers etc but he moved to france some years ago Good luck Gary

29th Mar 2015, 12:32 pm	#6
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,180	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel Hi, Of course, the diameter of the capstan is critical to correct tape speed, whereas the pinch roller isn't. So, it'd be an interesting exercise. Luckily, the capstan on my Series Five is still good (so far!) Cheers, Pete. __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

29th Mar 2015, 11:21 pm	#7
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel I'm thinking of getting a lump of rubber from a vehicle rubber mount such as a Mini exhaust mounting unless anyone has any bright ideas for a source of rubber.

31st Mar 2015, 6:37 pm	#8
nutteronthebus Hexode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Glossop, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 487	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel Hi David Durrant remakes pinch rollers for the series 7 try him at Mouse Hall South Lane Houghton BN18 9LN __________________ Any tool can be used as a hammer but a screwdriver makes the best chisel

31st Mar 2015, 8:37 pm	#9
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel A redundant printer will offer a selection of rubber rollers to experiment with. Keep it in the freezer before trying to machine it.

1st Apr 2015, 2:36 pm	#10
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Ferrograph pinch wheel Good ideas both. The biggest fun will be boring out the centre I think.