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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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13th Sep 2019, 1:20 pm | #1 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 11
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Noisy Capstan
I have a 1/4 inch tape deck - a Teac A-3340 to be precise. The capstan runs all the time that the deck is on and is audibly rather noisy. I am not intending to use the deck at the moment but rather like having it turned on occasionally because it looks lovely with its four meters lit up - and it is probably good for it to have a run. Can I lubricate the capstan motor's bearings to hush it up a bit or is there anything else that I can do?
I know that it will always make a bit of a noise but I reckon it could be quieter than it is. Thanks hugely for any help that you can give. |
13th Sep 2019, 1:57 pm | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 2,113
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Re: Noisy Capstan
I suppose they're sintered bronze bearings. In my experience oiling gives no improvement after they become noisy
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13th Sep 2019, 5:51 pm | #3 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Noisy Capstan
Oh, so nothing one can do then.
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13th Sep 2019, 5:56 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Noisy Capstan
What's making the noise, capstan, capstan motor or both?
Lawrence. |
13th Sep 2019, 6:09 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Morden, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 1,559
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Re: Noisy Capstan
Worth checking that the pulleys are clean and the belt in good condition.
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13th Sep 2019, 7:46 pm | #6 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Noisy Capstan
It is a sort of shushing noise Lawrence so it sounds like a bearing.
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13th Sep 2019, 7:47 pm | #7 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Noisy Capstan
I had not thought that it might be driven by pulleys Barry. I need to take a look. Just sort of assumed that it was directly driven.
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14th Sep 2019, 2:31 am | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,969
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Re: Noisy Capstan
It's belt drive like many Teacs in that range. As mentioned it may be the belt is on the way out and/or the drive surfaces dirty. The original belt is of generous proportion and can keep going for 15 years or so, often only needing replacement because it has stretched enough to start slipping on the pulley.
The capstan motor can be switched off with the machine still powered up. Pay off some tape from the take up reel to allow the right hand tape arm to fall and untrip the internal microswitch. Incidentally, we technicians lubricate bearings not primarily to stop noise but to prolong the life of the bearing! The 3340 capstan bearing is long lasting. I've never seen one really worn out but many have been in need of cleaning and reoiling. On all three motors I think at least some of the 3340's have oiling tubes front and back. A total of six oiling points via small, clear plastic tubes, probably gone yellow with age. Tim |
16th Sep 2019, 2:46 pm | #9 |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 11
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Re: Noisy Capstan
Tim. Wow thanks for all that detail. Really useful. You know when you are made aware that you know something but were too stupid to see it yourself... Well, I replaced that microswitch because it had broken when I got the machine! Completely failed to manage to connect that memory with my current problem. Doh!
I will think about oiling activity. However, with the deck mounted vertically I don't look forward to removing it and taking it apart again - it weighs a ton! Still, should book that in sometime. Once again thanks, much appreciated Tim. Really useful. |