Akai 400DS (actually a 4000DS) - crumbled cam replacement

[P Donnelly]

I'm brand new to the Forum.
I have resurrected my lovely old AKAI 400DS only to find that it is not working. Lifting the cover, I find that a Play/record cam has disintegrated. I noticed some old (closed) discussions on the topic on the forum. Does anyone have a suggestion on how I could obtain the part or find a suitable repairer?
Many thanks

[Station X]

Can you post a clear picture of the assembled remains of your cam please. There are at least two types with the hole for the shaft at different angles.

[camtechman]

AKAI 400DS

Do you mean 4000DS?

[P Donnelly]

Sorry - 4000DS.
Pictures attached:

[Station X]

Sorry, but I can't help you with that type of cam.

[BassoonBloke]

Hello there,


I suppose you could try to find a breaker 4000DS and use it for spares and replace the cams from it. Trouble is that the replacement cams might do the same thing (or last forever!!) as the old ones. I seem to recall that there was a problem with a lot of these cams, but some are ok.


Good luck with your Akai.
Alan.

[dave walsh]

Yes this was a very big subject on here at one time. If you've seen the threads you will get the picture. Lots of great info re restoration though. Some people were able to make cams up in a harder substance but even then with frustrating slight variations. There didn't really seem to be a standard part produced. Despite that, one chap was looking to gather orders and try to supply but sadly, he's now deceased. It's a shame that they used pot metal/monkey metal/mazac or whatever the crumbly grey stuff was called, in the first place creating a [literally] weak link, in such a useful and versatile machine.

No one knows what the proportion of cam failures is but if it's yours
Mine is ok [so far]....I treat it with great care! As Alan said, it's all a matter of luck in the end. You may find someone who can help you one way or another.
It may be unlikely but the Forum constantly surprises us.

Dave W

[Station X]

I made a few of the pear shaped cams from aluminium, but there was no real interest so I gave up the project.

3D printing is a possibility. The blanks would need drilling and tapping for the securing screw.

[camtechman]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember the problem occurred on early versions of the 4000DS, later models had stronger material.

When I got my first 4000DS (an early version) both cams had the problem but I took the cams out of my later 4000DS and used them as pattern pieces and a friend got me a block of Aircraft grade aluminium (Duralumin) and, after many hours of trying to cut & file the very tough material, I eventually made replacement cams......but, never again.....for a few weeks I had arms like Popeye !!!!

Somewhere on the forum I pasted some pics, if I can the thread I'll be back.

[camtechman]

Some pics as promised:

[camtechman]

I'm trying to load 3 more pics but it's not letting me.......I'll try again tomorrow.

[camtechman]

Here's pics of variants (found on web)

[monaro0162]

There's some on e-bay at the moment, but although still together in one piece, they have the dreaded metal crumble. I have a MK1 spares unit which I think has good cams. I'll take a look and post some photos later.

[monaro0162]

Here you go:

Attached photo shows a pair of MK1 Cams temporarily fitted on top of a working MK11. Cam profiles are identical. Haven't looked at the other one underneath yet. I think the DB model might have different profiles.

[Kentode]

Hi, these are from my GX4000D, SERIAL NUMBER 8075016195 and there is no crumbling.

This may help you find a donor deck.

Has anyone researched the time period or serial numbers of these cams? It would help to know before purchasing whether to factor in the cost/search of replacement or fettling a new set.