Is anyone familiar with early Sony U-Matic VCRs? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

cjacek2000 · 27th Apr 2014, 3:29 am

Hi,
I just rescued an old (but really clean and low use) VO-1800 Sony U-Matic VCR from the dumpster, been working on it for a few weeks and it's almost back to its former glory. One small issue: I need to remove the bottom cover/plate. I have unscrewed the 4 feet but there are still several screws left, with one being rather unique. Is anyone familiar enough to say WHICH screws need to be undone? I don't want to risk it by removing all these screws, in case something is fastened that needs to stay in place. Anyway, I'd appreciate some advice. Attached is a photo. Thank you.

beamcurrent · 27th Apr 2014, 7:21 pm

Sony screws often have a small arrow mark next to the ones to undo, failing this if you part undo them you may be able to tell if anything is loose. I would just undo them anyway, I'm sure the bottom just comes off.

cjacek2000 · 27th Apr 2014, 11:14 pm

Thanks very much Brian but I figured it out before you replied. In fact, I did as you suggested by carefully checking each screw and then undoing all of them.

For anyone in a similar situation, here's how it's done for this particular model: I'm not sure if you need to remove the feet (I did) but all the other screws need to be removed as well. That's not all. There are two long additional screws (at the back of the unit) which need to be removed as well. Then you will be able to lift off the entire bottom along with the entire wooden structure (which also comprises the sides and back). Just pull the whole thing up carefully. You will then expose the entire bottom and sides of the VO-1800.

27th Apr 2014, 3:29 am	#1
cjacek2000 Tetrode Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: British Columbia, Canada. Posts: 54	Is anyone familiar with early Sony U-Matic VCRs? Hi, I just rescued an old (but really clean and low use) VO-1800 Sony U-Matic VCR from the dumpster, been working on it for a few weeks and it's almost back to its former glory. One small issue: I need to remove the bottom cover/plate. I have unscrewed the 4 feet but there are still several screws left, with one being rather unique. Is anyone familiar enough to say WHICH screws need to be undone? I don't want to risk it by removing all these screws, in case something is fastened that needs to stay in place. Anyway, I'd appreciate some advice. Attached is a photo. Thank you. Attached Thumbnails

27th Apr 2014, 7:21 pm	#2
beamcurrent Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Camberley, Surrey, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Is anyone familiar with early Sony U-Matic VCRs? Sony screws often have a small arrow mark next to the ones to undo, failing this if you part undo them you may be able to tell if anything is loose. I would just undo them anyway, I'm sure the bottom just comes off. __________________ Regards Brian Visit the Virtual Broadcast TV Camera Museum

27th Apr 2014, 11:14 pm	#3
cjacek2000 Tetrode Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: British Columbia, Canada. Posts: 54	Re: Is anyone familiar with early Sony U-Matic VCRs? Thanks very much Brian but I figured it out before you replied. In fact, I did as you suggested by carefully checking each screw and then undoing all of them. For anyone in a similar situation, here's how it's done for this particular model: I'm not sure if you need to remove the feet (I did) but all the other screws need to be removed as well. That's not all. There are two long additional screws (at the back of the unit) which need to be removed as well. Then you will be able to lift off the entire bottom along with the entire wooden structure (which also comprises the sides and back). Just pull the whole thing up carefully. You will then expose the entire bottom and sides of the VO-1800.