NAB spools? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Sean Williams · 19th Jun 2018, 8:21 pm

Hi All,

Bit tricky to figure where to put this thread, it cuts through Computing and Audio really.

I am trying to help a friend clear a vast quantity of mainly scrap metals and rubbish from a site local to me, but today I have unearthed a lot (50+) LEO Data tapes.

To my admittedly untrained eye, these look a lot like standard recording tape on NAB spools.

The site clearance is costing a small fortune, with rather a lot of asbestos to have removed, so my friend is looking to try to make some cash.

Assuming these reels are usable in some way, what should I be asking for them?

Is there anyone that wants this srt of stuff for computing, or is it best to go down the audio route - I have a tape here, and even after all the years of less than ideal storage, the tape is still in good physical condition.

Cheers
Sean

barrymagrec · 19th Jun 2018, 9:36 pm

Data tape does not have ideal characteristics for audio though it will work - it is also usually thinner than standard play audio tape.

I am sure someone would want it, if only for the NAB spools.

jamesperrett · 19th Jun 2018, 9:49 pm

Are these computer tape reels? If so, they will probably be half inch tape rather than quarter inch tape and I'm fairly sure that the reels aren't compatible with NAB hubs (although I didn't get my half inch recorder until computer reels were long obsolete so I've never actually tried a computer reel on it).

Sean Williams · 19th Jun 2018, 10:03 pm

Yes, these are 1/2" tapes, so perhaps they aren't that useful then

Radio Wrangler · 19th Jun 2018, 10:39 pm

Can the centre spacer be turned down to narrow the space between the flanges? the centre hole looks like a NAB fitting.

I used to have some LEO spools kicking around, but I've not seen them in years... Came from M&B's in Leeds.

David

19th Jun 2018, 8:21 pm	#1
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	NAB spools? Hi All, Bit tricky to figure where to put this thread, it cuts through Computing and Audio really. I am trying to help a friend clear a vast quantity of mainly scrap metals and rubbish from a site local to me, but today I have unearthed a lot (50+) LEO Data tapes. To my admittedly untrained eye, these look a lot like standard recording tape on NAB spools. The site clearance is costing a small fortune, with rather a lot of asbestos to have removed, so my friend is looking to try to make some cash. Assuming these reels are usable in some way, what should I be asking for them? Is there anyone that wants this srt of stuff for computing, or is it best to go down the audio route - I have a tape here, and even after all the years of less than ideal storage, the tape is still in good physical condition. Cheers Sean __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

19th Jun 2018, 9:36 pm	#2
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,557	Re: NAB spools? Data tape does not have ideal characteristics for audio though it will work - it is also usually thinner than standard play audio tape. I am sure someone would want it, if only for the NAB spools.

19th Jun 2018, 9:49 pm	#3
jamesperrett Octode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Liss, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,873	Re: NAB spools? Are these computer tape reels? If so, they will probably be half inch tape rather than quarter inch tape and I'm fairly sure that the reels aren't compatible with NAB hubs (although I didn't get my half inch recorder until computer reels were long obsolete so I've never actually tried a computer reel on it).

19th Jun 2018, 10:03 pm	#4
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: NAB spools? Yes, these are 1/2" tapes, so perhaps they aren't that useful then __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

19th Jun 2018, 10:39 pm	#5
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: NAB spools? Can the centre spacer be turned down to narrow the space between the flanges? the centre hole looks like a NAB fitting. I used to have some LEO spools kicking around, but I've not seen them in years... Came from M&B's in Leeds. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done