Help please to identify this tape deck (Collaro Studio) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jim221 · 4th Jan 2018, 3:53 pm

I bought this deck to make a unit to run some tapes through to remove mould from the tape. This seemed to be ideal but now having received the deck I need to identify the deck to know what voltage the motors run at. I hope I have attached a top view and underside view to help identification. I will need some more info when it is identified.

Thank you in advance.

Jim

barrymagrec · 4th Jan 2018, 4:09 pm

It is a Collaro Studio deck from the early sixties - they were available as a deck only as well as being fitted to a range of moderately good domestic machines.

I'm not sure if it is possible to tell the supply voltage from the pictures and 110 volt versions were available for about £10 from a surplus supplier in the late sixties.

I would be inclined to apply 110 volts to it initially and see how it goes.

ms660 · 4th Jan 2018, 4:21 pm

Confirmation pics and link to service data:

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/collaro_studio.html

http://www.service-data.com/product.php/817/1200/t10817

Lawrence.

Edward Huggins · 5th Jan 2018, 12:20 pm

A really well built deck. Their motors are powerful and should do the job well.
It helps to moderate the VERY fast "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" speeds by just lightly pressing on the "Stop" control (but not fully) in the faster winding sections so as to dampen the speed. Also the winding speeds will not be even - depending on the tape on each spool.

Orakle42 · 5th Jan 2018, 12:22 pm

The attached circuit diagrams may be of help...

Hartley118 · 5th Jan 2018, 12:39 pm

It's a good deck, capable of performance comparable with a Ferrograph, given decent electronics. I used one for many years and it gave excellent service. I found that the idler wheel needs to be cleaned with solvent from time to time because it can get contaminated, leading to a noisy drive.

Your deck is fitted with the later Bradmatic heads which give a good high frequency response.

I see that the grey polystyrene covers are missing. That's not surprising because they're very brittle and the mounting points tend to break - always a weak point in the design I'm afraid.

Martin

Edward Huggins · 5th Jan 2018, 6:49 pm

Mine has the round Collaro standard supplied heads. Were those Bradmatic heads a later standard fitting or a Collaro recommended option? I know also there was at least one supplier who offered a re-worked/re-machined version.

Ted Kendall · 6th Jan 2018, 12:31 am

Reps refined this deck for the R10 model, re-grinding the capstan shaft, making detail changes and fitting Bogen heads. Some R10s had polyurerhane idlers, too.

jim221 · 6th Jan 2018, 1:10 pm

Well gentlemen, you have excelled yourselves once again. you have answered all my questions.
thank you once again i think we can now close this thread.

4th Jan 2018, 3:53 pm	#1
jim221 Pentode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dereham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 140	Help please to identify this tape deck (Collaro Studio) I bought this deck to make a unit to run some tapes through to remove mould from the tape. This seemed to be ideal but now having received the deck I need to identify the deck to know what voltage the motors run at. I hope I have attached a top view and underside view to help identification. I will need some more info when it is identified. Thank you in advance. Jim Attached Thumbnails

4th Jan 2018, 4:09 pm	#2
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,560	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck It is a Collaro Studio deck from the early sixties - they were available as a deck only as well as being fitted to a range of moderately good domestic machines. I'm not sure if it is possible to tell the supply voltage from the pictures and 110 volt versions were available for about £10 from a surplus supplier in the late sixties. I would be inclined to apply 110 volts to it initially and see how it goes.

4th Jan 2018, 4:21 pm	#3
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck Confirmation pics and link to service data: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/collaro_studio.html http://www.service-data.com/product.php/817/1200/t10817 Lawrence.

5th Jan 2018, 12:20 pm	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck A really well built deck. Their motors are powerful and should do the job well. It helps to moderate the VERY fast "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" speeds by just lightly pressing on the "Stop" control (but not fully) in the faster winding sections so as to dampen the speed. Also the winding speeds will not be even - depending on the tape on each spool. __________________ Edward.

5th Jan 2018, 12:22 pm	#5
Orakle42 Pentode Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK. Posts: 131	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck The attached circuit diagrams may be of help... Attached Thumbnails

5th Jan 2018, 12:39 pm	#6
Hartley118 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 2,198	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck It's a good deck, capable of performance comparable with a Ferrograph, given decent electronics. I used one for many years and it gave excellent service. I found that the idler wheel needs to be cleaned with solvent from time to time because it can get contaminated, leading to a noisy drive. Your deck is fitted with the later Bradmatic heads which give a good high frequency response. I see that the grey polystyrene covers are missing. That's not surprising because they're very brittle and the mounting points tend to break - always a weak point in the design I'm afraid. Martin __________________ BVWS Member

5th Jan 2018, 6:49 pm	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,335	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck Mine has the round Collaro standard supplied heads. Were those Bradmatic heads a later standard fitting or a Collaro recommended option? I know also there was at least one supplier who offered a re-worked/re-machined version. __________________ Edward.

6th Jan 2018, 12:31 am	#8
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck Reps refined this deck for the R10 model, re-grinding the capstan shaft, making detail changes and fitting Bogen heads. Some R10s had polyurerhane idlers, too.

6th Jan 2018, 1:10 pm	#9
jim221 Pentode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dereham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 140	Re: Help please to identify this tape deck Well gentlemen, you have excelled yourselves once again. you have answered all my questions. thank you once again i think we can now close this thread.