Better Deck for use with Heathkit STR–1? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chris55000 · 6th Apr 2020, 10:29 pm

Hi!

Is there a better three–speed (1⅞, 3¾ & 7½ in/s), ideally three motor, with ¼ track heads suitable for transistor operation I can look into acquiring for my Heathkit STR–1?

I have a Robuk type Motek deck but the horrible fragile head cover you can't secure properly puts me off using it!

(I believe the P.W. Stereo Tape Recorder used a late Motek deck that was already virtually unobtainable at the time the prototype pictured on PW's Jan 1971 cover was made!)

The reason I ask is the BSR TD10 that came as standard with it is making an awful cacophony of mechanical noises in operation – would a strip–down, re–lubrication and reassembly help?

Chris Williams

PS!

I'd love a Robuk "Statesman" if I could get one – the Marriott heads originally in the Heathkit would probably fit this!

Ted Kendall · 7th Apr 2020, 9:12 am

The PW deck was a Collaro Studio, a decent enough deck with a few weaknesses, most of which were addressed by Reps when they used it in the R10. The Moteks were a bit rough-and-ready - the Statesman came and went in short order, and in any case only takes 5" reels. Rather like the Walter Metropolitan, it was an ambitious final fling that failed. There is always the Brenell - there are a few of these sculling about with open circuit Bogen heads, and the mountings are quite similar to the Marriotts. A Magnavox 363 would pitch you from the frying pan into the fire, but if you could both find and refurbish a Planet U1...

All this said, the TD10 wasn't bad for what it was. Hardened idlers are the usual cause of rumbles and general racket, and ideally should be replaced, an expensive option these days. You may get lucky with RubberRenue or similar, but in my experience there is no guarantee of success, and the stuff is absolutely foul - best to use it outdoors. A good clean and relubrication would help in any case.

Chris55000 · 16th Apr 2020, 5:37 pm

Hi!

Would these idlers fit the TD10?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184048825196

Failing that, I've now procured another Tandberg 15 for spares to refurbish the first one that went up in smoke – could I transplant a Tandberg 15 deck into the Heathkit's amplifier?

Chris Williams

PS!

I've now managed to find an original BSR TD10 s.m., now on it's way to me!

Techman · 16th Apr 2020, 8:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris55000

Would these idlers fit the TD10?

Well, that's a good question. They look new but it says they're used. It would be interesting to know what they're actually for. Almost like there's no such thing as a good BSR TC8 cartridge, the same can be said of the BSR TD10 tape deck in that there's no such thing as one with good idler wheels, although there's been the odd exception regarding both.

Below is a picture of the two idler wheels in a TD10, for the record, both idlers shown were duff and the capstan flywheel drive one made a terrible noise. Covering the driving edge with a stuck on rubber band helps, but it's only a bodge.

ricard · 17th Apr 2020, 4:49 am

I've had success using the idler(s) from the Philips EL3516/3536/3542 and EL3546/3547 for the flywheel idler in the TD10. The shaft and outer diameter are the same, but the bearing is not in the same relative axial position compared to the outer rim, so it requires some shimming with washers to get the rim in the correct axial position. The rubber used for the idlers in the aforementioned Philips machines seems to predate the later 'turn-to-goo' rubber that Philips started using in the 1960s.

I just had my only TD10 deck based machine out the other week, which has undergone the above treatment, and it was still playing fine.

(Incidentally, although the mechanical design of the EL3516/3536/3542 and EL3546/3547 are completely different, the motor-to-flywheel idlers on the former and the flywheel-to-right-hand-reel-holder idlers on the latter are identical. A nice bit of reusing what was already available at Philips. On the former you even get three per machine, one per tape speed.)

Chris55000 · 17th Apr 2020, 8:47 am

Hi!

Member Ricard, thank you for your kind tip!

I'll post dimensions of the BSR TD10 idlers when I next get round to dismantling my Heathkit!

I was lucky enough to get the full Assembly Manual as well, so I don't need to make special note of where everything went and I've got a deck S.M. on the way!

Chris Williams

6th Apr 2020, 10:29 pm	#1
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,873	Better Deck for use with Heathkit STR–1? Hi! Is there a better three–speed (1⅞, 3¾ & 7½ in/s), ideally three motor, with ¼ track heads suitable for transistor operation I can look into acquiring for my Heathkit STR–1? I have a Robuk type Motek deck but the horrible fragile head cover you can't secure properly puts me off using it! (I believe the P.W. Stereo Tape Recorder used a late Motek deck that was already virtually unobtainable at the time the prototype pictured on PW's Jan 1971 cover was made!) The reason I ask is the BSR TD10 that came as standard with it is making an awful cacophony of mechanical noises in operation – would a strip–down, re–lubrication and reassembly help? Chris Williams PS! I'd love a Robuk "Statesman" if I could get one – the Marriott heads originally in the Heathkit would probably fit this! __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed! Last edited by Chris55000; 6th Apr 2020 at 10:35 pm.

7th Apr 2020, 9:12 am	#2
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,674	Re: Better Deck for use with Heathkit STR–1? The PW deck was a Collaro Studio, a decent enough deck with a few weaknesses, most of which were addressed by Reps when they used it in the R10. The Moteks were a bit rough-and-ready - the Statesman came and went in short order, and in any case only takes 5" reels. Rather like the Walter Metropolitan, it was an ambitious final fling that failed. There is always the Brenell - there are a few of these sculling about with open circuit Bogen heads, and the mountings are quite similar to the Marriotts. A Magnavox 363 would pitch you from the frying pan into the fire, but if you could both find and refurbish a Planet U1... All this said, the TD10 wasn't bad for what it was. Hardened idlers are the usual cause of rumbles and general racket, and ideally should be replaced, an expensive option these days. You may get lucky with RubberRenue or similar, but in my experience there is no guarantee of success, and the stuff is absolutely foul - best to use it outdoors. A good clean and relubrication would help in any case.

16th Apr 2020, 5:37 pm	#3
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,873	Re: Better Deck for use with Heathkit STR–1? Hi! Would these idlers fit the TD10? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184048825196 Failing that, I've now procured another Tandberg 15 for spares to refurbish the first one that went up in smoke – could I transplant a Tandberg 15 deck into the Heathkit's amplifier? Chris Williams PS! I've now managed to find an original BSR TD10 s.m., now on it's way to me! __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed! Last edited by Chris55000; 16th Apr 2020 at 5:45 pm.

17th Apr 2020, 4:49 am	#5
ricard Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 1,632	Re: Better Deck for use with Heathkit STR–1? I've had success using the idler(s) from the Philips EL3516/3536/3542 and EL3546/3547 for the flywheel idler in the TD10. The shaft and outer diameter are the same, but the bearing is not in the same relative axial position compared to the outer rim, so it requires some shimming with washers to get the rim in the correct axial position. The rubber used for the idlers in the aforementioned Philips machines seems to predate the later 'turn-to-goo' rubber that Philips started using in the 1960s. I just had my only TD10 deck based machine out the other week, which has undergone the above treatment, and it was still playing fine. (Incidentally, although the mechanical design of the EL3516/3536/3542 and EL3546/3547 are completely different, the motor-to-flywheel idlers on the former and the flywheel-to-right-hand-reel-holder idlers on the latter are identical. A nice bit of reusing what was already available at Philips. On the former you even get three per machine, one per tape speed.)

17th Apr 2020, 8:47 am	#6
Chris55000 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK. Posts: 2,873	Re: Better Deck for use with Heathkit STR–1? Hi! Member Ricard, thank you for your kind tip! I'll post dimensions of the BSR TD10 idlers when I next get round to dismantling my Heathkit! I was lucky enough to get the full Assembly Manual as well, so I don't need to make special note of where everything went and I've got a deck S.M. on the way! Chris Williams __________________ It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed!