Problem Fitting 10.5" NAB Spools to NAB Adapter

[DMcMahon]

Been checking out my Akai GX-630DB uisng small spools.

Now wanting to check it on 10.5" NAB spools using NAB adapters.

Somewhere I have at least 3 sets of NAB adapters but currently strugging to locate them. I have found 1 NAB adaper that looks new, I think it is one of a pair I purchased quite some time ago and have not attempted to use until now.

The problem is that with NAB adapter fitted to the machine I cannot pull forward the front part of the adapter sufficiently to be able to get above the level of the spool then to be able to rotate the front part of the adapter to lock the spool.

To me it seems to be a problem with the adapter, before I attempt to take it apart, thought wise to see if anybody can see if I am doing something stupid.

Photo 1 shows the adapter fitted to the Supply spool table. I think the front 3 lugs of the adapter should align with the rear 3 lugs, but the front part of the adapter will not rotate any further anti-clockwise to achieve this alignment.

Photo 2 shows the spool on the adapter but not locked as the front lugs are still in the 3 cut-outs in the spool and by pulling forward the front part of the adapter the lugs remain in the cut-outs, which stops the front part of the adapter being able to be rotated clockwise to lock onto the spool.

Photo 3 shows the rear view of the adapter in the spool (not in machine) as can be seen the rear lugs are not in the spool cut-outs and cannot be rotated any further ACW to align with the spool cut-out holes.

David

[Radio Wrangler]

The lugs HAVE to be aligned before fittin the spool.

The spool then sits on the spool table with the little rounded lugs, the ones just above the spool table fitting in the matching cutouts in the spool's hub. The tol of the adapter is trne turned with respect to the spool and the upper lugs (the squared off ones) prevent the spool coming off. As the top part of the adaptor rotates, cams inside put pressure on a rubber O-ring to press against the inside cylindrical face of the spool's hub, locking it in place unable to chatter.

Try with the adaptor off the machine, drop the rounded lugs into their slots in a spool. Now, holding the spool, can you rotate the upper of the adaptor to line the lugs up?

If not, can you slide a second spool onto the top of the adaptor, fitting its cutouts onto the squared lugs of the adaptor? now can you rotate one spool with respect to the other to line the lugs up?

These things can be quiote stiff.

David

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by Radio Wrangler

Try with the adaptor off the machine, drop the rounded lugs into their slots in a spool. Now, holding the spool, can you rotate the upper of the adaptor to line the lugs up?


David

Thankyou David, proplem is partially solved, your line about dropping the rounded lugs into the spool slots works OK, then one can fit the adapter + spool onto the machine. I was fitting the adapter to the machine first then fitting the spool but because the rear rounded lugs then do not align with the spool slots, the adapter was effectively sittting on the rear of the spool when it should be effectively be on the front side.

Impossible to get the front and rear lugs to align no matter how much force is applied. So I still think the root cause of the problem is the adapter not built or assembled correctly.

Will have to try and find my other adapters to compare/double check.

David

[Reelman]

Funnily enough I was looking at a pair of my adapters the other day and noticed just how stiff they are, I’m sure that they were never so difficult to twist before. I might try and introduce a little furniture polish into them as I don’t see an easy way to take apart. Actually I’ve just tried some Deoxit D5 and that has helped considerably.

I can’t tell from your photos but there should be a rubber “O” ring fitted in the internal groove. These do snap and my replacements came from eBay.

I attach two photos, one shows the adapter in the position before installation and the other shows what it would look like if it was actually fitted along with a new ring in the bag as supplied. I’m not fitting the ring until I need to use the adapter.

Peter

[DMcMahon]

Yes Peter mine does have the O-ring fitted and the adapter is quite easy to rotate, it is just impossible to rotate to get the rear and front lugs to align.

Actually I have just this minute removed the O-ring and the 3 little rollers, which are cheap looking roughly cut plastic discs, on ones I have had apart years ago the rollers were metal. On this one I cannot see any way to dismantle it any further.

David

[Reelman]

Yes David, I can’t see a way to disassemble either.
Before I lubricated with the Deoxit it was very, very difficult to align the lugs. I was seriously concerned it would break if I twisted harder…. But I did and it was ok!

Suggest you spray lubricate them, I’m certain you will achieve alignment if you do.

Good luck,

Peter

[Radio Wrangler]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

So I still think the root cause of the problem is the adapter not built or assembled correctly.

I have to agree.

My adaptors go onto the Revox with lugs aligned, fot spool, turn the accessible part of the adaptor and the spool is snug and rattle-free.

David

[DMcMahon]

Cannot find my Deoxit or Supersolve so tried some PTFE Super Lube spray and it has helped a little.

Now holding the rear with one hand and turning the front with the other hand I can now get the lugs to align. But it takes a lot of force to align and then to turn back out of alignment, there is a loud crack when the lugs align and go out of alignment.

Far too stiff at the moment to practically use, will keep operating to see if it will free up further.

David

[DMcMahon]

Peter, which of the many Deoxit products did you use ?

David

[Reelman]

I used Deoxit D5 just because it was nearby in the kitchen cupboard. I see that it is still made but I’ve had this can for many years. It’s expensive (£30! On Amazon) so I’ve made it last! I assume it is similar enough to that sold by the BVWS.

I wouldn’t buy a tin just for this, try a squirt of furniture Polish, Servisol or dare I say it WD40.

Peter
Sorry, just seen that you have tried something.

[DMcMahon]

No improvement after spraying with PTFE Super Lube and exercising it many times.

Washed away the PTFE lube using IPA and left to dry.

Found my Deoxit D5 and gave it a good spray, no obvious improvement, will see what it is like tomorrow.

I know we generally frown upon WD40 for lubrication use, but see many people on-line saying it helped this exact problem, but type of WD40 never stated.

I have to purchase some WD 40 Specialist PTFE spray for recommended maintenance of my Window cleaning telescopic pole, so will also try that if the Deoxit D5 does not help.

I also see that there is a WD40 Specialist Silicon spray as well.

David

[LittleGeoff]

Maybe you need a reel adjusting sheet something like this.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjusting-Silicone-Temperature-Resistant-Recorder/dp/B0CGNK4M8X

They come in varying thicknesses the ones I have are pioneer and are0.9mm

[DMcMahon]

Thankyou, but I do not think that would help this particular issue.

However, this morning I fitted the 10.5" spool onto the Supply reel table using the same NAB adapter and can see by manually rotating the spool that the rear of the spool flange is lightly fouling the wooden case, so the adjusting sheet would help for that.

I have used 10.5" spools before on the same machine (quite some time ago), I think I then had the same issue of the back of the spool flanges fouling the wooden case but then that was overcome by adjusting the adjustable shims that were integral to the NAB adapters I then was using.

David

[DMcMahon]

Strangely a plastic 10.5" NAB spool does not foul the wooden case even though its flanges visibly look thicker than the metal spool ?

David

[vidjoman]

A circle cut from a cornflake packet also works - other cereals are available.

[jamesperrett]

Have you tried the proper Akai NAB adaptors for the machine rather than the Revox adaptors that you are using? I am wondering if there is a subtle design difference which is needed for the softer rubber reel tables that the Akai uses compared to the hard reel tables that the Revox uses.

I'll bet the Akai adaptors compress the reel against the NAB adaptor's backing plate rather than compressing the reel against the reel table which is what the Revox adaptor does so the reel stays further above the deck plate.

[DMcMahon]

No not yet, I still only have the single Revox style NAB adapter, still to find where my other adapters (which does include the Akai adapters) are hiding.

Dave

[LittleGeoff]

Originally Posted by jamesperrett

Have you tried the proper Akai NAB adaptors for the machine rather than the Revox adaptors that you are using? I am wondering if there is a subtle design difference which is needed for the softer rubber reel tables that the Akai uses compared to the hard reel tables that the Revox uses.

I'll bet the Akai adaptors compress the reel against the NAB adaptor's backing plate rather than compressing the reel against the reel table which is what the Revox adaptor does so the reel stays further above the deck plate.

If using Revox/Studer NAB adaptors you need the spacers as sugested above.

[Welsh Anorak]

Incidentally, when fitting the new O-ring it's not a bad idea to check the pucks are all there. Many replaciement rings on eBay come as a kit including the three pucks.

[DMcMahon]

Have just found the 2nd NAB adapter that goes with the problem adapter, i.e. originally purchased as a pair.

Like the first problem adapter, it also is extremely stiff to align.

No improvement in the extreme stiffness of the first problem adaper despite trying various lubricants.

I wish now that I had checked them when I purchased them, if they were that stiff then I would have asked for my money back.

They have been in a hot attic for more than 4 years.

A real shame cannot dismantle them. Still to locate my other NAB adapters.

David