How to remove capstan - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Rosshasavoice · 9th Feb 2023, 4:08 am

Hi there,
I've been trying to get a Matsushita model RQ-102S tape recorder from the 60s working and while I was trying to clean it a bit, I found I couldn't remove the capstan sleeve, it seems to be a screw on but it already turns the way you need to unscrew it, I'm not sure what to do. I don't know how recently it would have last been removed but wouldn't be surprised if it was over a decade ago at least (it was my grandad's machine, has been in storage a long while). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

brenellic2000 · 9th Feb 2023, 9:15 am

It may be left hand thread. If 'stiction', gentle heat may help. Check to see if the are any grub-screws. Good luck!

Analogue man · 9th Feb 2023, 1:09 pm

If the capstan is above the tape it is unlikely to be a left hand thread as it would tend to unwind itself as it moved tape, if no grub screws present then try dribbling a small amount of IPA down between the sleeve and the capstan shaft and then try to the sleeve gently off. Don't be tempted to use pliers as these will damage the sleeve. Looking at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eui-Evzu2PU it appears that the sleeve is in fact held on with a screw on the top which I assume you have removed but if not a pair of pliers could be used to persuade the screw to move.

DMcMahon · 9th Feb 2023, 4:33 pm

Yes from the video clip above and another similar YouTube clip the capstan sleeve (for 3 3/4 ips operation) is retained to the capstan shaft by the top large flat head knurled screw, unscrewing the screw anticlockwise and then removing it should allow the sleeve to be pulled off.

If sleeve is stuck then as stated above gentle heat or IPA etc should help to loosen it, maybe then helped by holding onto the sleeve with thumb and finger while capstan is rotating.

David

9th Feb 2023, 4:08 am	#1
Rosshasavoice New Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 1	How to remove capstan Hi there, I've been trying to get a Matsushita model RQ-102S tape recorder from the 60s working and while I was trying to clean it a bit, I found I couldn't remove the capstan sleeve, it seems to be a screw on but it already turns the way you need to unscrew it, I'm not sure what to do. I don't know how recently it would have last been removed but wouldn't be surprised if it was over a decade ago at least (it was my grandad's machine, has been in storage a long while). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

9th Feb 2023, 9:15 am	#2
brenellic2000 Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rye, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,647	Re: How to remove capstan It may be left hand thread. If 'stiction', gentle heat may help. Check to see if the are any grub-screws. Good luck!

9th Feb 2023, 1:09 pm	#3
Analogue man Hexode Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Raunds, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 353	Re: How to remove capstan If the capstan is above the tape it is unlikely to be a left hand thread as it would tend to unwind itself as it moved tape, if no grub screws present then try dribbling a small amount of IPA down between the sleeve and the capstan shaft and then try to the sleeve gently off. Don't be tempted to use pliers as these will damage the sleeve. Looking at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eui-Evzu2PU it appears that the sleeve is in fact held on with a screw on the top which I assume you have removed but if not a pair of pliers could be used to persuade the screw to move. __________________ Graham

9th Feb 2023, 4:33 pm	#4
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,600	Re: How to remove capstan Yes from the video clip above and another similar YouTube clip the capstan sleeve (for 3 3/4 ips operation) is retained to the capstan shaft by the top large flat head knurled screw, unscrewing the screw anticlockwise and then removing it should allow the sleeve to be pulled off. If sleeve is stuck then as stated above gentle heat or IPA etc should help to loosen it, maybe then helped by holding onto the sleeve with thumb and finger while capstan is rotating. David