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Old 30th Jun 2013, 7:15 am   #4
ricard
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lund, Sweden
Posts: 1,631
Default Re: Philips EL 3541/15K tape recorder

The decomposed studs on the spool holders can be replaced by good quality cork to good effect. I bought a bag of wine corks from which I cut out pieces using a sharp knife. For the EL3541 (et al) I cut out octagonal shaped pieces just oversize so that the peaks of the octagon get compressed when pushed into the holes in the spool holders. Final adjustment of the height can be done with a file once the pieces are in situ. Takes longer than just putting replacement parts in but is of course much cheaper.

I agree it's amazing how well the rubber parts on these old Philips machines hold up, especially considering they did a 180° turn a couple of years later and started using rubber which turns to the notorious goo found in later 60's machines.

Occasionally I've found an EL3541 with a stretched belt, but I've then just cut away a couple of centimeters and glued it with superglue and it's ready to go again.
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