What are these called? Philips EL3548.

[tukka74]

I bought a Philips EL 3548 tape recorder. I thought it might be a fun project to get it back on its feet.

It was only when i got it home I realized the posts that hold the tape in place were sheared off. One of them was salvageable with a bit of plastic modelling glue. The other was completely gone.

The question is what are these things called? Does anyone sell them? Does anyone 3D print them?

Any help would be great.

[Radio Wrangler]

Spool tables, I think

David

[tukka74]

I really thought I would have no problem finding replacements for these. But they don't seem to exist.

[DMcMahon]

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

This is really bad news, I also have received a couple of recorders (not Philips) where these parts (the spindle the tape spool fits onto) have arrived broken off, I am hoping to glue repair.

In Philips documentation they are generally called "Turntable Upper", sometimes they are identical for the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) parts. Sometimes they are not identical so then become "Turntable Upper LH" and "Turntable Upper RH".

Looking at a Philips Service manual for the EL3548 the left part is shown as item 42 and the right hand part item 115, the fact that they have different item numbers to me implies they are not identical parts (maybe some slight difference on the underside). This particular manual does not list the parts item number verses description wise.

They are also commonly called spindles/reel tables etc .

Big problem finding compatible replacements, may occasionally see people selling them online such as eBay, but there are many different versions of these parts, if you could find a cheap scrap compatible machine could be an option.

Do not know about 3D printed possibility.

Maybe someone else has an inventive solution.

David

[tukka74]

Thanks for reply. I am considering two options.
1. creating a 3d model and getting a 3d print made
2. taking a mold and using resin to cast a new part.

I didn't expect this to be the hard bit.

[tukka74]

I spent the day building a 3d model of these spool tables.

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/dqbHaTrWZgP

go to that link and you can download the model in STL format. This file can then be uploaded to a 3d printing company.

https://www.treatstock.co.uk/

I have made an order - it only cost £6.99 for 2 (that includes cost of posting)
So we'll see how it goes.

[tukka74]

3D printer sent me this photo of my order. They look pretty good. Hopefully they work.

[DMcMahon]

Great work, you obviously have the knowledge and ability to be able to do the 3D modeling, I would not have a clue where to start.

David

[its ur aerial]

I must also say, I am very impressed.

Ken, G6HZG.

[ricard]

I concur, very well done.

As noted earlier in the thread, these parts are a custom design for each individual recorder, although for some manufacturers the same parts might be used on more than one machine, ranging from just a couple with similar design, like Philips, to a whole range of machines (such as Tandberg).

In this particular case, parts from an EL3549 which has a similar push button design might work, comparing the service manuals might help.

[tukka74]

UPDATE***

Just got the spool holders in the post today. (See photos)
They fit. Although i did have to drill a hole in the bottom to make them sit on the center post correctly.

I have modified the 3d model to include an indented recess - this should be a better fit.

The ones i have fit - with a bit of bodging - so i am happy with them for now.

If anyone has the same issue, feel free to download the Updated model
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/g39zSo4AAfL

then upload it to
https://www.treatstock.co.uk/

[DMcMahon]

They look good.

So were the 2 original parts identical ? from my Post # 4 the fact they have different item numbers in the service manual to me seemed to indicate they were not identical.

David

[tukka74]

The two original parts are almost identical. The only difference is (see photo) the one on the left has a small circle of plastic poking outwards from the center and the one on the right has a dent inward.

The difference is so small i cant see how it matters.
The 3d printed parts seem to work. I can fast forward and rewind no problem. But i don't have a drive belt, so i can't be sure the play works properly. However, i can spin the drive wheel by hand and it seems to work.

So - i will let you know how it goes once i get the belts swapped over for new ones.

Barry.

[toshiba tony]

At Sony we always called them spool turntables, it just sort of stuck. Of course we were able to supply part numbers so that helped.

[tukka74]

UPDATE FINAL ***

I got drive belts - and all works.
So , all i can say is, for this model, these 3d printed spool tables will work as a replacement.
(if anyone wants to try them on their tape machine, use the download link above and give them a go)

Barry

[tukka74]

I have made a slight change to the design. I increased the size of the center spindle.
This is the final version of this. You can go to this link and download it.

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/7QYUu3pasAu

[DMcMahon]

I have no idea on this whole process for 3D printing parts.

In simple terms how do you get all the correct dimensional and shape information on a part in the first place ?

David

In simple terms how do you get all the correct dimensional and shape information on a part in the first place ?

You do a drawing on a computer in 3D and hope all the different scales of dimension work out. The drawing package (programme) tells the other end what unit it is using (inch, metre and I bet there is a cubit selection there too), even knowing how it all works I find it quite magical.

I wanted a box for a project of mine and a work colleague knocked up the drawing in 10 minutes, sent it to one of our huge (1m cube!) 3D printers, I had the piece the next morning, the printer just slotted it at the side of a larger job being done.

[Refugee]

Originally Posted by DMcMahon

I have no idea on this whole process for 3D printing parts.

In simple terms how do you get all the correct dimensional and shape information on a part in the first place ?

David

The printer reads the drawing and produces a stack of thin layers.
When it actually prints it lays the layers down on a flat base to slowly build the part up.
Because of the way it works a single part can be made that would otherwise be made up of several traditional plastic parts glued together due to the ability to create internal structures.

[DMcMahon]

Long ago in my job I did have some limited exposure to CAD and 3D modeling for production of engineering drawings but all forgotten now.

Still cannot envisage how one gets all the detailed dimensions, angles, shapes etc into the drawing package, the spool turntable is a good example, do you have to measure everything first ?

David