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TIMTAPE · 7th Feb 2019, 12:01 pm

It was me who suggested the head needed relapping. I assumed it would be easy to remove the baseplate from the head as many years ago I think I did, but it was on a Series 5 Ferro which may be a different head design. I no longer have the Ferro to check the head.

Even so without a relap the machine may still perform reasonably well. Relapping just gives the best, most consistent tape to head contact and means less head cleaning. It also allows adjustment of the azimuth without the tape riding up on the ridges of old the wear groove. The old Ferro's also used the felt pressure pads which created uneven wear on the head, were more suited to the earlier tape types and with modern plastic tapes became unnecessary. At least on the record/play head, I removed the felt pressure arm entirely, but without the head relapped you may have to retain the pressure pad for good contact.

7th Feb 2019, 12:01 pm	#30
TIMTAPE Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,969	Re: Ferrograph 4A: Restoration advice needed It was me who suggested the head needed relapping. I assumed it would be easy to remove the baseplate from the head as many years ago I think I did, but it was on a Series 5 Ferro which may be a different head design. I no longer have the Ferro to check the head. Even so without a relap the machine may still perform reasonably well. Relapping just gives the best, most consistent tape to head contact and means less head cleaning. It also allows adjustment of the azimuth without the tape riding up on the ridges of old the wear groove. The old Ferro's also used the felt pressure pads which created uneven wear on the head, were more suited to the earlier tape types and with modern plastic tapes became unnecessary. At least on the record/play head, I removed the felt pressure arm entirely, but without the head relapped you may have to retain the pressure pad for good contact.