Is it OK to scrap this? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PJL · 8th Apr 2006, 12:03 am

Rescued from my local tip for £3. No identifying marks other than 'studio' on the deck. I was surprised to see it had 3 motors but I know nothing about reel to reel although I did own an Akai 4000 in my youth. Not powered it up as it would need the caps reforming but it looks lightly used.

If I were to guess I would say it is a kit from the late 50's? I am looking for someone to ease my sense of guilt - it has some valves I need for radios and the PSU looks useful too.

Tim · 8th Apr 2006, 12:42 am

You knever know.............it might be the last one of it's kind in the world.......

Mike Phelan · 8th Apr 2006, 8:54 am

I would restore and keep/sell it, but that is just my opinion.

The tape deck is the Collaro Studio - a much better deck than the usual BSR TD1/TD2, and easy to restore.

Brased · 8th Apr 2006, 11:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Phelan

The tape deck is the Collaro Studio - a much better deck than the usual BSR TD1/TD2, and easy to restore.

The Collaro deck was sold separately and so was used for a lot of home constructed tape recorders. Mullard produced a booklet with a design for the electronics.

Some companies produced kits. I assembled one from Martinkit (I think that was the name) about 1960 which included everything except the deck and just involved making a few connections as the amplifier, etc were preassembled on a pcb. It was a neat result with its vinyl covered case and served for a few years until I could afford a Tandberg 12. I don't think there was any badge to indicate the source of the kit.

Edward

nokia2010 · 8th Apr 2006, 5:58 pm

Don't scrap it! It's cool!
Give power to the tubes!

DOFFERY · 8th Apr 2006, 6:07 pm

Yes Yes & Yes. As mentioned it is the Collaro Studio deck, if it has been unused & in the tip for any length of time forget it. It is not a deck of any repute & unless you are desperate for something to do tip it back.

Doffery

reelguy · 8th Apr 2006, 8:06 pm

It looks in clean condition and I would have a go at restoring it..
It may only need a good clean and a small drop of oil.
Check the rubber idlers and pinch wheel, If ok restore it . If not dont waste time on it. Just my opinion

A few manufacturers such as Elizabethan used this deck as it had three speeds and sometimes had 4 track heads fitted..
Peter Reelguy
{ After all, It is something to play with}

Steve_P · 8th Apr 2006, 8:13 pm

Those decks work well when they do work, but they do have what I call Collaro Motor Syndrome. Not as bad as others, though. They can sometimes be stripped and repaired if you've got time! They are good and if you get them running too well, the rewind and FF motors can break the sound barrier! Well, one of mine did!

The other thing to watch is the brakes. They are made of, if memory serves, Petersham. You can adjust them position wise if its not already been done.

Don't scrap ANYTHING - that's my view.

Need I say check the electronics before you power it up?

Cheers,

Steve_P

yestertech · 8th Apr 2006, 10:12 pm

The parts are of far more use than the whole - It's not even a particularly good transport !
Be bold, and use the parts for something YOU will enjoy keeping !!
Andy

Paul Stenning · 8th Apr 2006, 10:56 pm

Unless any of the people who are against scrapping it want to offer it a good home.......

PJL · 9th Apr 2006, 10:36 am

Thanks everyone. It looked like a kit to me and I think 'brased' is exactly right - the electronics were pre-assembled.

If anyone is interested as a complete unit let me know. There are a few faults: One knob on the deck requires repair, the head cover has the clip missing/broken on one side, a group of small drill holes next to the deck, a very small tear to the rexine on the outer. Otherwise it is in good condition and looks to have been stored dry.

The deck only or parts from the deck I am happy to send for the cost of postage.

PJL · 10th Apr 2006, 1:16 pm

Well, you've all missed your chance.

The motors still run silently and the idler and drive rubber are still good so I have decided to have a go myself. The heads are pretty worn but I guess it will still work and I am not exactly expecting HIFI!

Is there a lifestyle course available on "Learing how to throw things away"?

Nickthedentist · 10th Apr 2006, 7:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJL

Is there a lifestyle course available on "Learing how to throw things away"?

Many of my favourite pieces of hifi etc. have been things I've scavenged with the intention of pulling them apart for bits, but then decided to try out just for fun - and then realised how nice they actually are

. So, I sympathise with you

Nick.

8th Apr 2006, 12:03 am	#1
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Is it OK to scrap this? Rescued from my local tip for £3. No identifying marks other than 'studio' on the deck. I was surprised to see it had 3 motors but I know nothing about reel to reel although I did own an Akai 4000 in my youth. Not powered it up as it would need the caps reforming but it looks lightly used. If I were to guess I would say it is a kit from the late 50's? I am looking for someone to ease my sense of guilt - it has some valves I need for radios and the PSU looks useful too. Attached Thumbnails

8th Apr 2006, 12:42 am	#2
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? You knever know.............it might be the last one of it's kind in the world....... __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

8th Apr 2006, 8:54 am	#3
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? I would restore and keep/sell it, but that is just my opinion. The tape deck is the Collaro Studio - a much better deck than the usual BSR TD1/TD2, and easy to restore. __________________ Mike.

8th Apr 2006, 5:58 pm	#5
nokia2010 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 2	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? Don't scrap it! It's cool! Give power to the tubes!

8th Apr 2006, 6:07 pm	#6
DOFFERY Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 1,488	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? Yes Yes & Yes. As mentioned it is the Collaro Studio deck, if it has been unused & in the tip for any length of time forget it. It is not a deck of any repute & unless you are desperate for something to do tip it back. Doffery

8th Apr 2006, 8:06 pm	#7
reelguy Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 746	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? It looks in clean condition and I would have a go at restoring it.. It may only need a good clean and a small drop of oil. Check the rubber idlers and pinch wheel, If ok restore it . If not dont waste time on it. Just my opinion A few manufacturers such as Elizabethan used this deck as it had three speeds and sometimes had 4 track heads fitted.. Peter Reelguy { After all, It is something to play with}

8th Apr 2006, 8:13 pm	#8
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? Those decks work well when they do work, but they do have what I call Collaro Motor Syndrome. Not as bad as others, though. They can sometimes be stripped and repaired if you've got time! They are good and if you get them running too well, the rewind and FF motors can break the sound barrier! Well, one of mine did! The other thing to watch is the brakes. They are made of, if memory serves, Petersham. You can adjust them position wise if its not already been done. Don't scrap ANYTHING - that's my view. Need I say check the electronics before you power it up? Cheers, Steve_P __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

8th Apr 2006, 10:12 pm	#9
yestertech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,135	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? The parts are of far more use than the whole - It's not even a particularly good transport ! Be bold, and use the parts for something YOU will enjoy keeping !! Andy

8th Apr 2006, 10:56 pm	#10
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,073	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? Unless any of the people who are against scrapping it want to offer it a good home....... __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

9th Apr 2006, 10:36 am	#11
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? Thanks everyone. It looked like a kit to me and I think 'brased' is exactly right - the electronics were pre-assembled. If anyone is interested as a complete unit let me know. There are a few faults: One knob on the deck requires repair, the head cover has the clip missing/broken on one side, a group of small drill holes next to the deck, a very small tear to the rexine on the outer. Otherwise it is in good condition and looks to have been stored dry. The deck only or parts from the deck I am happy to send for the cost of postage.

10th Apr 2006, 1:16 pm	#12
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: Is it OK to scrap this? Well, you've all missed your chance. The motors still run silently and the idler and drive rubber are still good so I have decided to have a go myself. The heads are pretty worn but I guess it will still work and I am not exactly expecting HIFI! Is there a lifestyle course available on "Learing how to throw things away"?