Cassette deck re-belting help! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Kigma01 · 15th Mar 2016, 8:25 pm

I recently got an "Eagle C7800" for free from a secondary school, I have no idea why they had it, it was on a table next to an old t.v. in the caretaker's shed (Don't worry I didn't steal it, the caretaker asked me if I wanted it) and all the electronics/ mechanisms seem work properly but I can't for the life of me figure out what way the belts go on. Whats left of the old belts has turned to black mush and fallen off the wheels, so can't go off that, and there is next to nothing about this cassette deck on the internet, so that's down the drain too. I've experimented around with different combinations and I still can't figure out what way they are supposed to be attached... if anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated as I would love to see this deck up and running again!

dseymo1 · 15th Mar 2016, 10:42 pm

Rather than experimenting at random, I'd spend a while studying the mechanism. Start with the motor pulley, noting which way it turns. Belts usually run parallel to the rest of the mechanism, so see which pulleys are in line. Consider relative speeds, direction of motion and pulley sizes, and what needs to engage for each function. It shouldn't be too difficult to work out what goes where. If unsure, ordinary rubber bands will provide proof of concept before you commit to purchasing proper belts.

crackle · 16th Mar 2016, 6:13 pm

It was reported on a past Ebay auction that the Eagle 7800 was similar to a Pioneer CT-F.
Is your Eagle machine similar to any of these Pioneer cassette recorders. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=PI...w=1242&bih=829
If so you may be able to locate the Pioneer service information.

Mike

Nickthedentist · 16th Mar 2016, 8:05 pm

Pic of one here: http://www.proradioantic.ro/data/anu...1245591712.jpg

Very much it bears anything more than a passing resemblance to a Pioneer though.

dseymo1 · 16th Mar 2016, 9:47 pm

Kigma, can you post a clear picture of the rear of the mechanism, please? I'm sure we can work it out between us.

Kigma01 · 23rd Apr 2016, 4:40 pm

Okay, sorry for the long time it took to reply, (computer problems ugh). Since my last post, I thought I had partially figured out the mechanism, but it only spilled the cassette's tape everywhere, back to the drawing board! Anyways I've attached some pics of the machine itself.

vidjoman · 23rd Apr 2016, 7:13 pm

Those belts and idler wheels look in one hell of a mess. They need to be taken out and cleaned or replaced and all surfaces cleaned. It's either age related failure of a 'fake' rubber. Or has been cleaned with something that has dissolved it. As it is you won't get any good performance without major servicing.

ben · 24th Apr 2016, 12:04 am

Holy crap, it's a wonder that transport does anything at all in that state. Get rid of that sticky goop before you do anything else. And that includes cleaning the belts too, as they're contaminated.

sp10mk11 · 24th Apr 2016, 9:32 am

Yes that is a big job! seeing as it uses tyres that will reduce the amount of belts hopefully you need to replace.
It looks solidly built so may be worth doing.
Good luck
Gary

Kigma01 · 20th Jun 2016, 9:45 pm

Hey guys, I've decided to keep it in the garage as it was taking up too much space in my room and I already have a number of cassette players/recorders. I recently picked up a Philips portable reel-to-reel player and that's what I'll be focusing on for the foreseeable future. If I do decide to revive the deck I'll make a thread called "Repaired Eagle cassette deck" or something like that

. Thanks for all of your suggestions and advice, everyone!

15th Mar 2016, 8:25 pm	#1
Kigma01 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 4	Cassette deck re-belting help! I recently got an "Eagle C7800" for free from a secondary school, I have no idea why they had it, it was on a table next to an old t.v. in the caretaker's shed (Don't worry I didn't steal it, the caretaker asked me if I wanted it) and all the electronics/ mechanisms seem work properly but I can't for the life of me figure out what way the belts go on. Whats left of the old belts has turned to black mush and fallen off the wheels, so can't go off that, and there is next to nothing about this cassette deck on the internet, so that's down the drain too. I've experimented around with different combinations and I still can't figure out what way they are supposed to be attached... if anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated as I would love to see this deck up and running again!

15th Mar 2016, 10:42 pm	#2
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Rather than experimenting at random, I'd spend a while studying the mechanism. Start with the motor pulley, noting which way it turns. Belts usually run parallel to the rest of the mechanism, so see which pulleys are in line. Consider relative speeds, direction of motion and pulley sizes, and what needs to engage for each function. It shouldn't be too difficult to work out what goes where. If unsure, ordinary rubber bands will provide proof of concept before you commit to purchasing proper belts.

16th Mar 2016, 6:13 pm	#3
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! It was reported on a past Ebay auction that the Eagle 7800 was similar to a Pioneer CT-F. Is your Eagle machine similar to any of these Pioneer cassette recorders. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=PI...w=1242&bih=829 If so you may be able to locate the Pioneer service information. Mike

16th Mar 2016, 8:05 pm	#4
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,844	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Pic of one here: http://www.proradioantic.ro/data/anu...1245591712.jpg Very much it bears anything more than a passing resemblance to a Pioneer though.

16th Mar 2016, 9:47 pm	#5
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Kigma, can you post a clear picture of the rear of the mechanism, please? I'm sure we can work it out between us.

23rd Apr 2016, 4:40 pm	#6
Kigma01 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 4	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Okay, sorry for the long time it took to reply, (computer problems ugh). Since my last post, I thought I had partially figured out the mechanism, but it only spilled the cassette's tape everywhere, back to the drawing board! Anyways I've attached some pics of the machine itself. Attached Thumbnails

23rd Apr 2016, 7:13 pm	#7
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Those belts and idler wheels look in one hell of a mess. They need to be taken out and cleaned or replaced and all surfaces cleaned. It's either age related failure of a 'fake' rubber. Or has been cleaned with something that has dissolved it. As it is you won't get any good performance without major servicing.

24th Apr 2016, 12:04 am	#8
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Holy crap, it's a wonder that transport does anything at all in that state. Get rid of that sticky goop before you do anything else. And that includes cleaning the belts too, as they're contaminated. __________________ Regards, Ben.

24th Apr 2016, 9:32 am	#9
sp10mk11 Octode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,275	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Yes that is a big job! seeing as it uses tyres that will reduce the amount of belts hopefully you need to replace. It looks solidly built so may be worth doing. Good luck Gary

20th Jun 2016, 9:45 pm	#10
Kigma01 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 4	Re: Cassette deck re-belting help! Hey guys, I've decided to keep it in the garage as it was taking up too much space in my room and I already have a number of cassette players/recorders. I recently picked up a Philips portable reel-to-reel player and that's what I'll be focusing on for the foreseeable future. If I do decide to revive the deck I'll make a thread called "Repaired Eagle cassette deck" or something like that . Thanks for all of your suggestions and advice, everyone!