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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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29th Dec 2020, 9:56 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK.
Posts: 466
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Akai 4000D cam
Wilkinson's Hi-Fi of Lancashire are now making replacement cams for the Akai 4000D. They cost £20 plus £3 postage.
I've just bought one which works a treat. I found them helpful and prompt. Now the drive is working, the next job is aligning the record/playback heads... |
30th Dec 2020, 1:15 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
That is good to know, good luck with the head alignment. I must get my 4000D out for a check up.
David |
30th Dec 2020, 3:10 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex.
Posts: 5,817
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
This is very interesting. It's the first time I've ever seen a commercial source. Sounds like they'd be worth a visit when I make it through Lancashire customs. There have been periodic surges in requests over the years eg for R1115's, Round Ekco's, AR88 Mains Transformers and the Akai TR Cam. All of them exceeding rare [at different times]. The Akai was a constant subject on the Forum about 15 years ago and there seemed to be no end of recorders with the "monkey metal" crumbling away! It was the "I've just bought a Record Player" of it's day
There was no ready solution although one or two individuals machined replacements on a small scale. There a cam in in little bag pinned on the wall here. I had the chance to buy it just in case but the original one has held up so far. Perhaps because I was careful with it! I have to be more so with the track change switch to keep that going as well. Maybe the demand for replacement cams has gone up along with the current interest in vintage HI Fi? Good news anyway! Dave W |
30th Dec 2020, 6:38 pm | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,902
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
Out of curiosity, is this firm related to Wilkinson Cameras, also of Lancashire? I've dealt with them over a number of years and found them to be good people.
THese cams should make a number of people very happy. Anyone with a 4000D series recorder may be thinking of getting a pair in stock, ready for 'when' David
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Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
31st Dec 2020, 1:45 am | #5 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 70
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
Hi,
3D printed Akai/Roberts cam sets are readily available on Ebay. A quick search found these three, https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Roberts-...frcectupt=true https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-repl...sAAOSw7tJfYNGp https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Akai-Cam...MAAOSw0C1c2bTD Regards David |
31st Dec 2020, 10:47 pm | #6 | |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK.
Posts: 466
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
Quote:
True. But they are a good deal more expensive than the one I got from Lancashire. |
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18th Jan 2021, 10:29 am | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
Your second link is a set of 5 cams, so if one needed all 5 or even 3, it is then quite good value for money compared to the prices being asked/charged by other people for a single cam.
Looks like the various 3D printed cams stick close to the original design, whereas the Wilkinson's cam is a pruned down version (no spigot, no securing screw and no raised boss section). I am still unsure as to the long term reliability of the various 3D cams, I have not experienced any 3D printed part so do not know how strong/tough they can be. David |
19th Jan 2021, 11:44 pm | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashhurst, Manawatu, New Zealand
Posts: 571
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
Any idea if they can be obtained direct from Aussie? Seems to be fraught with problems with the current crisis - trying to buy things from overseas means delivery time is now counted in months rather than days!
I'll do a bit of research from this end before jumping into the deep end. My GX4000DB is now about 40 years old and still going strong but..... Aah - my mistake - they are actually made in the USofA even though they are advertised on the Oz Ebay. However I did find this... https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4188780/files ...anyone got a 3D printer.....
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Cheers - Martin ZL2MC Last edited by majoconz; 19th Jan 2021 at 11:56 pm. |
20th Jan 2021, 10:42 am | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 6,604
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
One of the 3D links was UK.
Well done Martin on finding those 3D file downloads. I have no experience at all with 3D printing. David |
21st Jan 2021, 2:14 pm | #10 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 88
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Re: Akai 4000D cam
Here's some duckduckgo search results for 3d printing services. Dunno how much they cost or if they're any good though.
You can do 3d printing with sintered metal, but no idea of the durability versus plastic printing. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=3d+printin...=v243-1&ia=web Might be worth looking into CNC machining from proper steel as well. Last edited by garry71; 21st Jan 2021 at 2:21 pm. |