Philips EL3542
 

Does any one know what I could use to replace the 3 clutch pads under each spool on these recorders.


Just as important, does anyone know the height that these protrude above the housing?

Re: Philips EL3542
 

I vaguely recall someone suggesting rubber erasers out of pencils.

Re: Philips EL3542
 

These are domed Neoprene plugs, which protrude about a millimetre above the surround. Eraser rubber may be too grippy for smooth operation, but easy enough to try. Hellyer's "What's in a clutch", tape recorder ca 1968, may be helpful.

Re: Philips EL3542
 

I have a distant memory of using cut rubber grommets which seemed to do the job quite well.Peter.

Re: Philips EL3542
 

If you don't mind using cork i replaced mine with 8mm Natural Cork Balls from a firm called 'Just Cork'
https://www.just-cork.co.uk/natural-...all-p-371.html

They are a good easy push fit and all that needs to be done is to gently file the top so that they protrude above the metal circular holders by about 1.5 mm or so.

Rod

Re: Philips EL3542
 

I've cut down (homogeneous, not made of cork shavings) cork wine stoppers in the past using a small knife (I've cut them into a hexagonal shape for simplicity which works well enough), but those cork balls seem really ideal.

Someone I read about had used rather hard rubber, the type used for door stoppers, with success. I too think that pencil eraser rubber will be too soft and will probably shed shavings in use.

Re: Philips EL3542
 

I did what ricard above did - cutting slivers from a wine bottle cork and fitting hexagonal pieces into the receptacle. With a bit of trial and error to get the height right, it worked reasonably well.

Ian

Re: Philips EL3542
 

I used 8mm rubber cord from eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8mm-O-Rin...oAAOxy4dNSy-j9

I cut six slices slightly too long, inserted them in the holes (is nice snug fit), then gently filed down until there was no drive to turntables unless in fast wind.