Akai GXC-325D - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

buggies · 8th Jun 2020, 7:19 pm

I decided to test my GXC-325D cassette recorder as it has been sitting unused for a decade or so.
It played a few old commercial tapes without any problem so just needed to check it was recording properly. First find a source with a line output that both worked and was the correct level. (Pause for diversion to repair the Goodmans portable CD player - duff cap - and then the intermittent ESR meter - crap IC socket).
Eventually used signal generator at the right 0.775V level and an unused Memorex C60 - which the machine promptly chewed.
I have searched for the model number but nothing found in this forum.
I took it apart and used IPA on the pinch rollers and takeup pulleys and it has been ok so far - anything else need doing?

DMcMahon · 9th Jun 2020, 8:27 am

I would give the heads and tape guides, anything in fact in the tape path, a good clean with IPA.

Also visibly check the mechanical mechanisms for any stiff operations, cleaning and re-lubing if required.

ben · 9th Jun 2020, 11:53 am

Those pinch rollers look shiny and a bit barrel shaped, they're almost certainly shot and will crinkle tapes.

TIMTAPE · 9th Jun 2020, 12:27 pm

This is a dual capstan machine which is good but makes it a little more complicated. The left capstan should run a little slower than the right. When that situation is reversed, tape damage is likely.

A nice machine but being that old, pretty much everything which has a bearing in it probably should have the old grease or oil cleaned out and replaced. The pinch rollers can drag when the lubricant dries out. Both reel tensions in play should be checked as per the service manual. Wrong tensions can lead to tape damage.

buggies · 10th Jun 2020, 2:20 pm

Thanks for the pointers gentlemen. I took the top off again today and did a bit more cleaning with IPA. The grease seems (to me) to be ok - I can smear it with my finger. All the controls work and latch as required.
The rollers were shiny (well spotted). I think they have rounded corners rather than swollen in the middle. Wiping them with IPA on a cloth seems to just give black cloth for ever (see pic) - rather than brown tape deposit.
I have found no trace of a service manual (unless there is a similar model number) so feel I cannot take this any further. It will probably go back in its original packing box in the loft for my executor to deal with later.

ben · 10th Jun 2020, 4:55 pm

You could try giving the rollers a once-over with fine sandpaper to remove the glazed surface. Retry with a rewound c90 (thin tape) - if it plays okay, then you've likely solved it.

Whaam68 · 10th Jun 2020, 6:41 pm

New rollers are available for this model from a guy in Germany on eBay but they are not cheap!
Mike

Michael Maurice · 10th Jun 2020, 7:09 pm

I would persevere with this if it was mine, the chewing of the tape could be due to a faulty cassette.

I would fit new belts and pinch rollers after I have checked the torque of the T/U reel in play.

Seems like a nice machine in very good condition.

buggies · 10th Jun 2020, 10:19 pm

Just a quick note.
The machine has not had a lot of use - mainly recording some LPs which were on loan to me at the time.
I won't be spending any money on it as have no real use at the moment.

The tape that failed was brand new blank and I noticed that the takeup spool was hesitating and not winding tightly. The tape finished up wrapped round the take up pulley.
I will try some sandpaper tomorrow and see what happens with a new (old) C90 blank.

ben · 11th Jun 2020, 12:06 am

Most likely the rubber idler driving the take up spool is also shiny - same applies as to pinch roller. Some spool tables of that era also had a rubber rim.

You can easily repair a tape that has tangled at the start, simply cut out the damaged section (first 2 mins or whatever) and splice it back to the leader.

TIMTAPE · 11th Jun 2020, 9:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggies

...and I noticed that the takeup spool was hesitating and not winding tightly.

That's important information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggies

The tape finished up wrapped round the take up pulley.

No surprise there!

buggies · 11th Jun 2020, 7:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIMTAPE

That's important information.

I know - always remember after hitting send...

Pulleys and pinch rollers sanded and re-cleaned and four C90s played today - nice listening to music I had forgotten.

Thanks to all for the assistance - still not sure what will happen to the unit but I can honestly say it is in reasonable working order (today!)

8th Jun 2020, 7:19 pm	#1
buggies Heptode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Lothian, UK. Posts: 762	Akai GXC-325D I decided to test my GXC-325D cassette recorder as it has been sitting unused for a decade or so. It played a few old commercial tapes without any problem so just needed to check it was recording properly. First find a source with a line output that both worked and was the correct level. (Pause for diversion to repair the Goodmans portable CD player - duff cap - and then the intermittent ESR meter - crap IC socket). Eventually used signal generator at the right 0.775V level and an unused Memorex C60 - which the machine promptly chewed. I have searched for the model number but nothing found in this forum. I took it apart and used IPA on the pinch rollers and takeup pulleys and it has been ok so far - anything else need doing? Attached Thumbnails __________________ George

9th Jun 2020, 8:27 am	#2
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,604	Re: Akai GXC-325D I would give the heads and tape guides, anything in fact in the tape path, a good clean with IPA. Also visibly check the mechanical mechanisms for any stiff operations, cleaning and re-lubing if required.

9th Jun 2020, 11:53 am	#3
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Akai GXC-325D Those pinch rollers look shiny and a bit barrel shaped, they're almost certainly shot and will crinkle tapes. __________________ Regards, Ben.

9th Jun 2020, 12:27 pm	#4
TIMTAPE Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,970	Re: Akai GXC-325D This is a dual capstan machine which is good but makes it a little more complicated. The left capstan should run a little slower than the right. When that situation is reversed, tape damage is likely. A nice machine but being that old, pretty much everything which has a bearing in it probably should have the old grease or oil cleaned out and replaced. The pinch rollers can drag when the lubricant dries out. Both reel tensions in play should be checked as per the service manual. Wrong tensions can lead to tape damage.

10th Jun 2020, 2:20 pm	#5
buggies Heptode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Lothian, UK. Posts: 762	Re: Akai GXC-325D Thanks for the pointers gentlemen. I took the top off again today and did a bit more cleaning with IPA. The grease seems (to me) to be ok - I can smear it with my finger. All the controls work and latch as required. The rollers were shiny (well spotted). I think they have rounded corners rather than swollen in the middle. Wiping them with IPA on a cloth seems to just give black cloth for ever (see pic) - rather than brown tape deposit. I have found no trace of a service manual (unless there is a similar model number) so feel I cannot take this any further. It will probably go back in its original packing box in the loft for my executor to deal with later. Attached Thumbnails __________________ George

10th Jun 2020, 4:55 pm	#6
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Akai GXC-325D You could try giving the rollers a once-over with fine sandpaper to remove the glazed surface. Retry with a rewound c90 (thin tape) - if it plays okay, then you've likely solved it. __________________ Regards, Ben.

10th Jun 2020, 6:41 pm	#7
Whaam68 Hexode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 457	Re: Akai GXC-325D New rollers are available for this model from a guy in Germany on eBay but they are not cheap! Mike

10th Jun 2020, 7:09 pm	#8
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,225	Re: Akai GXC-325D I would persevere with this if it was mine, the chewing of the tape could be due to a faulty cassette. I would fit new belts and pinch rollers after I have checked the torque of the T/U reel in play. Seems like a nice machine in very good condition. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

10th Jun 2020, 10:19 pm	#9
buggies Heptode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Lothian, UK. Posts: 762	Re: Akai GXC-325D Just a quick note. The machine has not had a lot of use - mainly recording some LPs which were on loan to me at the time. I won't be spending any money on it as have no real use at the moment. The tape that failed was brand new blank and I noticed that the takeup spool was hesitating and not winding tightly. The tape finished up wrapped round the take up pulley. I will try some sandpaper tomorrow and see what happens with a new (old) C90 blank. __________________ George

11th Jun 2020, 12:06 am	#10
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Akai GXC-325D Most likely the rubber idler driving the take up spool is also shiny - same applies as to pinch roller. Some spool tables of that era also had a rubber rim. You can easily repair a tape that has tangled at the start, simply cut out the damaged section (first 2 mins or whatever) and splice it back to the leader. __________________ Regards, Ben.