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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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Thread Tools |
17th Jan 2020, 1:22 pm | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK.
Posts: 569
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Akai X-1800SD
There is a cleaning pad on this recorder and it has gone dry any one now what I could put on it to clean again please
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17th Jan 2020, 4:49 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
I have lots of Akai's, but am not familiar with this particular model. You can download from hifiengine.com (and other sites) the User and Service manuals. A quick look at the User manual and it references using 1 or 2 drops silicon oil on the pad and to rotate the pad halfway when it gets contaminated, then replace pad when both sides are contaminated.
I guess the oil is more for function rather than cleaning the pad. |
17th Jan 2020, 5:08 pm | #3 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 141
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
I have the same model and I take it you are describing the felt pad enclosed in its canister, it's approx 1/2" tall. According to the instruction book it says to impregnate it with silicone oil but I would advise against this, I've left mine dry.
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17th Jan 2020, 5:15 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
Currently I cannot remember which one, but one of my Akai's has the cleaning pad, I have never done anything thing to the pad, but saying that I have not used that machine much.
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17th Jan 2020, 5:35 pm | #5 |
Pentode
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 141
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
Putting any sort of lubricant onto a pad that touches tape surely can't be right even though the instruction book says to do it.
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17th Jan 2020, 5:56 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
Yes I must admit it does seem counter-intuitive ? perhaps someone will know the history behind it.
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17th Jan 2020, 9:34 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 3,675
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
Akai transports use high tape tensions and this, coupled with the dubious quality of 1960s Japanese tape, could cause tape squeal. A trace of lubricant on a pad would trap loose oxide and ease the passage of tape over the heads. The pad was abandoned in the early seventies.
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17th Jan 2020, 10:13 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai X-1800SD
Great explanation !
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