pioneer cassette deck - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Malcolm G6ANZ · 16th Aug 2006, 8:40 am

Hi guys, I am in need of some assistance. My Pioneer cassette deck, model CT200,has eaten its drive belts and reduced them to a sticky black mess. Does anyone know where I can buy new ones ?
I've tried a quick Gooogle search but nothing relevent comes up.

Malcolm

Nickthedentist · 16th Aug 2006, 5:32 pm

Malcolm,

I think you'll need to be inventive.

First, work out what their diameter was. One way of doing this is by using a bit of white cotton threaded in the way the original belt ran. Overlap the ends, then make a mark on the overlapping portion with a felt-tip. Take the cotton off and measure the length between the 2 marks (in mm), which is the circumference. Divide this by 3.14 to get the diameter.

If it was a flat belt, try to work out from the remnants how wide it was. 4mm is typical.

Similarly, if it was square, try to guess the width - about 1mm is normal, but some machines used fatter ones (like you'd find in a reel to reel machine or an old VCR) and some thinner (Walkman style).

Then come back to us with the details, and I'll have a look in my CPC catalogue - they do a lot of generic drive belts for cassette recorders. You might need to buy a few different sizes and see which one fits best.

Nick.

percival007 · 16th Aug 2006, 6:37 pm

What he said!!!!
Pioneer certainly don't stock them any longer. Equivalents can be purchased from CPC though.

Mike Phelan · 17th Aug 2006, 8:15 am

My Pioneer CTF500 capstan belt broke a month ago - first time I have ever had to open it up since new.
I had a bit of a surf, found a site that sells various belts at £10 a time, then spotted that CPC sell them (by thickness, length, width) for 49p.
HTH

Malcolm G6ANZ · 17th Aug 2006, 8:29 am

Many thanks guys. The cotton measuring trick will be essential as all the belts have melted to a black goo.
By strange chance CPC delivered their full catalog to me yesterday so I'll work out sizes and order from them.
Thanks again.

Malcolm

16th Aug 2006, 8:40 am	#1
Malcolm G6ANZ Octode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 1,042	pioneer cassette deck Hi guys, I am in need of some assistance. My Pioneer cassette deck, model CT200,has eaten its drive belts and reduced them to a sticky black mess. Does anyone know where I can buy new ones ? I've tried a quick Gooogle search but nothing relevent comes up. Malcolm

16th Aug 2006, 5:32 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,844	Re: pioneer cassette deck Malcolm, I think you'll need to be inventive. First, work out what their diameter was. One way of doing this is by using a bit of white cotton threaded in the way the original belt ran. Overlap the ends, then make a mark on the overlapping portion with a felt-tip. Take the cotton off and measure the length between the 2 marks (in mm), which is the circumference. Divide this by 3.14 to get the diameter. If it was a flat belt, try to work out from the remnants how wide it was. 4mm is typical. Similarly, if it was square, try to guess the width - about 1mm is normal, but some machines used fatter ones (like you'd find in a reel to reel machine or an old VCR) and some thinner (Walkman style). Then come back to us with the details, and I'll have a look in my CPC catalogue - they do a lot of generic drive belts for cassette recorders. You might need to buy a few different sizes and see which one fits best. Nick.

16th Aug 2006, 6:37 pm	#3
percival007 Heptode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 852	Re: pioneer cassette deck What he said!!!! Pioneer certainly don't stock them any longer. Equivalents can be purchased from CPC though.

17th Aug 2006, 8:15 am	#4
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: pioneer cassette deck My Pioneer CTF500 capstan belt broke a month ago - first time I have ever had to open it up since new. I had a bit of a surf, found a site that sells various belts at £10 a time, then spotted that CPC sell them (by thickness, length, width) for 49p. HTH __________________ Mike.

17th Aug 2006, 8:29 am	#5
Malcolm G6ANZ Octode Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 1,042	Re: pioneer cassette deck Many thanks guys. The cotton measuring trick will be essential as all the belts have melted to a black goo. By strange chance CPC delivered their full catalog to me yesterday so I'll work out sizes and order from them. Thanks again. Malcolm