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

knobtwiddler · 28th Nov 2022, 10:03 pm

Belts are (usually) easy to replace, and the modern non-OEM replacements aren't as bad as people make out (I have a couple of machines running >factory spec W+F with new belts). Pinch rollers are a serious concern, as it can be a major job to change them, and finding the right replacement may not be easy.

If you're putting decks into storage, I would suggest being concerned about grease turning to Evostik (got a couple of decks with completely seized head carriages - and it's a major job to strip everything down to nuts and bolts, clean and re-grease), as well as electrolytic caps being left powered down for months on end.

Rollers, grease and caps worry me more than belts TBH.

28th Nov 2022, 10:03 pm	#7
knobtwiddler Octode Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 1,046	Re: Keeping cassette deck belts going Belts are (usually) easy to replace, and the modern non-OEM replacements aren't as bad as people make out (I have a couple of machines running >factory spec W+F with new belts). Pinch rollers are a serious concern, as it can be a major job to change them, and finding the right replacement may not be easy. If you're putting decks into storage, I would suggest being concerned about grease turning to Evostik (got a couple of decks with completely seized head carriages - and it's a major job to strip everything down to nuts and bolts, clean and re-grease), as well as electrolytic caps being left powered down for months on end. Rollers, grease and caps worry me more than belts TBH.