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Vintage Tape (Audio), Cassette, Wire and Magnetic Disc Recorders and Players Open-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, 8-track players etc.

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Old 20th Nov 2014, 7:24 pm   #1
EF80TVVALVE
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Default 'New' 8 track tape suggestions and help

Hi everyone!
I have been collecting some 8 track tapes for a short while now and I need some help. I have decided that any 8 track I have that is beyond use (with excessive tape wear) I am going to use to put new tape in and use them for recording. I thought this to be a good idea as since 8 tracks ceased production, tape technology has become much better and using older 1/4" tape in comparison to new tape shows how well it has progressed. Hopefully with a good recorder, I should be able to get some much better results than using old tapes.

It does all seem fairly simple to just re-spool some fresh tape on the reel but one thing that is different with 8 track tape from regular is the graphite coated backing that it has. I need to find a way to replicate this on modern tape so the tape can pass freely through the cartridge without stopping due to tightening. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could replicate the graphite backing or does anyone know how they backed the tapes with graphite in the first place? It does have to be well applied as original tapes do not seem to shed it onto the other layers of tape, or when you run your finger across.

It would be easier to just buy some old blanks but I'd like to give this a try, see if it shows any improvement and create a good supply of new tapes to use.

Thanks
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Old 20th Nov 2014, 11:33 pm   #2
Restoration73
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Default Re: 'New' 8 track tape suggestions and help

Conventional acetate or mylar glossy backed tape won't be any good, although I am sure
that some of the tape sold as "Concertape" (Radio Shack) was in fact surplus 8 track tape.
You'll need LP or DP matt-backed tape (black back) which can usually be found as old
stock - the matt back could be written on with wax pencil so should hold a lubricant.
However avoid Ampex tape at all costs as this is a known oxide shedder.
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Old 21st Nov 2014, 1:32 am   #3
emeritus
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Default Re: 'New' 8 track tape suggestions and help

I remember a Philips advert of the early 1970's comparing the 8 track and compact cassette systems which said that the life of an 8 track cartridge was designed for 500 plays, whereas the compact cassette was designed for 1500 plays. No personal experience with 8 track, but graphite is simply pure carbon, and dry graphite powder is obtainable from numerous on-line sources and isn't expensive. I believe it is used for things like electroplating non-conductive objects such as leaves. It was/is also used industrially. I have the remains of a small tin of my dad's that he brought home to lubricate the wheels of my train set in the early 1960's. I think he may have used it at work to coat the mating surfaces of pipe gaskets to inhibit sticking. It is a very fine impalpable, slightly sticky, powder. You can smear it on things using a finger, and it stays put. You could try crushing the lead of a very soft pencil, 6B or softer, but pencils always have a binder, clay I think, mixed in with the graphite.

Last edited by emeritus; 21st Nov 2014 at 1:43 am.
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Old 21st Nov 2014, 9:36 am   #4
Focus Diode
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Default Re: 'New' 8 track tape suggestions and help

I once tried using conventional open reel 1/4" tape in an 8-track case- big mistake! This tightened very quickly despite leaving plenty of slack.
The silver backing used on 8-track tape would appear to act as a lubricant and seems very long lasting. I have a good collection of tapes which still play perfectly despite being over 40 years old once the perished pressure pads were replaced.

Personally I think old new stock blank 8-track tapes would be preferable, they pop up on Ebay quite frequently.

Cheers,
Brian
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Old 21st Nov 2014, 9:42 am   #5
G6Tanuki
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Default Re: 'New' 8 track tape suggestions and help

My last contact with such cartridges was on an old "CALCOMP" map-plotter which loaded its operating-system software from the 8-track! I'm sure those cartridges were read more than 500 times since the thing was shut down overnight so had to be rebooted every morning.

Graphite powder is available from any good locks/security-system suppliers: they use it to lubricate the tumbler-mechanisms of padlocks etc.
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Old 21st Nov 2014, 4:20 pm   #6
llama
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Default Re: 'New' 8 track tape suggestions and help

A new "pancake" of graphite-backed tape stock for loading broadcast NAB cartridges might be available from the likes of Canford.

Let us know if you track any down.
Graham
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