Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

On the Philips N4307/4308 (and rebrands), there is a small plastic 'wall' in front of the right hand reel, in line with the left edge of the VU meter.

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philip...08_n_4308.html

Does anyone know what it's for? My best guess is that it's in such proximity to the right hand reel (when 7" reels are used) that it's some device to avoid tape spillage, somehow.

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

A good question, your suggestion sounds plausible.

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

Makes sense - the Collaro Studio had a similarly placed post for this purpose - which everybody promptly misused as a guide...

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

Sounds like a good guess to me.

The Akai XIV/XV portables had a single post near the take up spool's edge.

With my Revox A700 I place it on its back to transfer tapes. If I go away to do something else, I can come back and find the machine has stopped but the leader/tail tape has caught itself in between the reel platter and the surround bezel. It can make a mess of the leader but more of a mess of the tape if it had gone that far. When I leave the machine to play by itself I place a small block of wood close to the edge of the take up reel which seems to prevent the problem.

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

Is what you describe on the Akai the item identified as "Tape Holder" in the attached ?

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

It's barely visible in that photo but yes that's the one .

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

It denotes the max spool size.

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

The turntable spacing does that.

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

A slightly better view.

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

But what's the actual principle? Is it if for some reason a loop would form between the right hand guide post and the take-up reel (not unlikely when starting, especially with a full (well, almost full) reel on the right, which would have a bit of inertia), to avoid the loop slipping under the flange?

Re: Plastic bit on Philips N4307/4308 et al
 

I haven't actually observed the process, just seen the result. Perhaps someone could take a "slow mo" video of it!

I just assume the post stops the tape end - and further into the tape - from flying outwards with centrifugal force.