UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Studio263 · 22nd Oct 2015, 12:24 pm

It seems pointless to try and re-make the whole machine when the vast bulk of the parts in the existing ones don't wear out, just the heads, the rubber drives and some of the plastic gears do in my experience.

Also the heads make it a complete no-go, I remember being told that a video head gap is the most accurately measured dimension in the domestic environment. It's positioning on the drum is also critical, 'Television' did a feature on the rebuilding line that MCES had, it was amazing to see what was involved. Remember too that they were buying the head chips in, they where just doing the "easy" bit of putting them on the drums.

A skilled machinist with a toolroom lathe and mill (and near infinite time and patience) could probably make most of it bar the head drum but 3D printing is kid's stuff by comparison, no chance!

22nd Oct 2015, 12:24 pm	#8
Studio263 Octode Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,577	Re: 3D Printing a Philips N1500/N1700 Player It seems pointless to try and re-make the whole machine when the vast bulk of the parts in the existing ones don't wear out, just the heads, the rubber drives and some of the plastic gears do in my experience. Also the heads make it a complete no-go, I remember being told that a video head gap is the most accurately measured dimension in the domestic environment. It's positioning on the drum is also critical, 'Television' did a feature on the rebuilding line that MCES had, it was amazing to see what was involved. Remember too that they were buying the head chips in, they where just doing the "easy" bit of putting them on the drums. A skilled machinist with a toolroom lathe and mill (and near infinite time and patience) could probably make most of it bar the head drum but 3D printing is kid's stuff by comparison, no chance!