Does anyone remember 3.25-inch spools? - Page 3 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

TonyDuell · 11th Feb 2019, 3:46 pm

I think you're right. I have attached a scan of an tape advertisement that came with my Geloso machine.

Phil G4SPZ · 11th Feb 2019, 10:56 pm

This thread has grown into a really interesting collection of small tapes. I've now dusted off a few of mine...

- a Scotch 3" 'Tape a letter' alongside a Grundig 3" TDP7, which holds 400' of D.P. tape

- a similar Scotch reel hiding inside an Emitape box, together with a Grundig tape type T5 from an early Stenorette dictating machine. This is 85mm in diameter and designed for single direction play only; the centre hole is larger than standard tape reels and only has the three slots (at 120 degrees apart) in its lower surface, together with a spring clip to hold it firmly on the Stenorette's left hand turntable

- a rather cute Philips 3" LP8, alongside one of my newly-acquired 3 1/4" tapes, the reels of which are moulded with the words "85mm reel - Made in Japan" which compares with similar-looking standard 3" reels that say "76mm reel - Made in Japan"

I have measured the diameter of the Grundig Stenorette reel and one of the Japanese "85mm reels" and they are both exactly 85mm, which actually converts to 3 11/32", slightly over 3 1/4". Was 3 1/4" derived by converting 85mm to the nearest quarter inch, or did 3 1/4" become a British standard in its own right? I wonder if someone could kindly measure a British 3 1/4" reel?

Phil

Techman · 12th Feb 2019, 2:05 pm

I've been looking through a few of my tapes and in the first picture below I've shown a couple of 3.25 inch spools fitted to a Sanyo portable similar to the one mentioned by 'camtechman' in post #6. In the second picture I've placed a standard 3 inch spool of tape on top of the right hand spool on the machine to show the difference. In the last two pictures I've shown both 3 inch and a 3.25 inch spools in EMI cases. You'll note that it looks like the Sanyo tape recorder was designed to actually take 3.5 inch spools as a maximum size, but I'm not sure if I actually have any of this size to try. You may also notice that I seem to have lost the capstan speed change 'screw-on' for the Sanyo, which is a bit of a shame.

Phil G4SPZ · 12th Feb 2019, 6:15 pm

Just to say ‘thank you’ to Martin for the 3 1/4” reel of tape which arrived today

11th Feb 2019, 10:56 pm	#42
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Does anyone remember 3.25-inch spools? This thread has grown into a really interesting collection of small tapes. I've now dusted off a few of mine... - a Scotch 3" 'Tape a letter' alongside a Grundig 3" TDP7, which holds 400' of D.P. tape - a similar Scotch reel hiding inside an Emitape box, together with a Grundig tape type T5 from an early Stenorette dictating machine. This is 85mm in diameter and designed for single direction play only; the centre hole is larger than standard tape reels and only has the three slots (at 120 degrees apart) in its lower surface, together with a spring clip to hold it firmly on the Stenorette's left hand turntable - a rather cute Philips 3" LP8, alongside one of my newly-acquired 3 1/4" tapes, the reels of which are moulded with the words "85mm reel - Made in Japan" which compares with similar-looking standard 3" reels that say "76mm reel - Made in Japan" I have measured the diameter of the Grundig Stenorette reel and one of the Japanese "85mm reels" and they are both exactly 85mm, which actually converts to 3 11/32", slightly over 3 1/4". Was 3 1/4" derived by converting 85mm to the nearest quarter inch, or did 3 1/4" become a British standard in its own right? I wonder if someone could kindly measure a British 3 1/4" reel? Phil Attached Thumbnails __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

12th Feb 2019, 2:05 pm	#43
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Does anyone remember 3.25-inch spools? I've been looking through a few of my tapes and in the first picture below I've shown a couple of 3.25 inch spools fitted to a Sanyo portable similar to the one mentioned by 'camtechman' in post #6. In the second picture I've placed a standard 3 inch spool of tape on top of the right hand spool on the machine to show the difference. In the last two pictures I've shown both 3 inch and a 3.25 inch spools in EMI cases. You'll note that it looks like the Sanyo tape recorder was designed to actually take 3.5 inch spools as a maximum size, but I'm not sure if I actually have any of this size to try. You may also notice that I seem to have lost the capstan speed change 'screw-on' for the Sanyo, which is a bit of a shame. Attached Thumbnails

12th Feb 2019, 6:15 pm	#44
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Does anyone remember 3.25-inch spools? Just to say ‘thank you’ to Martin for the 3 1/4” reel of tape which arrived today __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts