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Old 23rd May 2016, 10:50 am   #1
whiskas
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Default Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

Hi Guys,

I'm finding some of my old videotapes are falling victim to Sticky Shed Syndrome.
I've read that baking them using a regular kitchen oven is a bad idea (and it would seem so from common sense) as it's hard to regulate temperatures, especially at the lower temperatures needed for this job (~50C I understand from some online reading)
Some are making suggestions of using a food dehydrator.. Does anyone on the forum have experience in successfully baking video tapes at home to allow sticky tapes to be played back safely?
Thanks in advance,
Rob
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Old 23rd May 2016, 12:37 pm   #2
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

I've heard of this trick before but it is only a temporary fix just to digitize the tape to save the material. You can also try a high-wattage lamp on top of the tape but you need to keep the temperature to 50 degrees.

Fivos
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Old 23rd May 2016, 2:03 pm   #3
stevehertz
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

"Digitize the tape"? Not sure I understand you.

Otherwise, what is the theory behind "baking" video tapes. If it is to purge any moisture from them, I'd be worried about the side effects of that procedure too.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 4:25 pm   #4
Dave Moll
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

By "digitise", I think Fivos simply means copying the tape to a digital format.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 7:28 pm   #5
m0cemdave
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

For Stevehertz and any others who haven't discovered the Sticky Tape problem, a classic article on the subject is here:
http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html
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Old 23rd May 2016, 8:36 pm   #6
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

I have baked my sticky tapes overnight in a Hostess trolley which is designed to keep food and plates warm and stays at a nice even 45-50⁰C overnight and are ready to use in the morning. It is not permanent only to make a new copy and then I wrap the tape and put it away, hopefully not needing it again. I have had heard of people constructing a wooden box heated by a light bulb so the light does not fall directly and varying the wattage with a cheap dimmer until you find the right temp and popping the tape in.
Chris
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Old 24th May 2016, 12:22 am   #7
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

Leave them on a sunny window ledge, perhaps? The sun through the window at this time of the year might just do the trick!
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Old 24th May 2016, 10:59 am   #8
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

I'm not too short about that method John as I think if the sun were strong it may cause the cassette housing to warp/melt.. the hostess trolley idea sounds good.. and safe
any other ideas chaps?
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Old 24th May 2016, 11:39 am   #9
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

Sunlight will not damage plastic if it has passed through window glass. Also the light through modern glass is no good for starting seedlings. They look like they have been grown on in the dark.
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Old 24th May 2016, 4:02 pm   #10
cheerfulcharlie
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevehertz View Post
"Digitize the tape"? Not sure I understand you.
You usually have about one chance to copy and save the contents of the tape once it's 'baked' so make the most of it, the entropy clock is ticking away.
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Old 24th May 2016, 5:37 pm   #11
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

Way back in the late 1970s we were sent to the Blackpool training school for a weeks course ran by Thorn. One of the major no no’s, was that the life of the tape and recorded data would be very reduce by allowing the tapes to get hot. At sunlight temp the recordings might only last a few hours, do not leave your demo tape on the car dashboard. We were also advised to inform our customers not to leave the tapes on top of the VCR or by the fire place.
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Old 26th May 2016, 9:56 am   #12
whiskas
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Default Re: Best homebrew way to bake sticky video tapes?

So it looks like I need a method getting good dry heat, of the lowest temperature that works, for the minimum amount of time to make the tape playable.
From what I read online that's 50C (max) for about 4-6 hours.
Do those who have successfully baked tapes with good playback results find that to be about right? (Or not)
Please share your experiences.. thanks chaps
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