Clean your 8-Track...it's worth it...Believe Me!

[cb123]

A how to video that you can't afford to miss...it's that important!!!



http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQY7jFT9RMs

 

[desiredname]

What is an 8-track? Jk. haha

 

[cb123]

It's kinda like Peabody's Wayback Machine!

 

 

[tolivac]

did this same thing with radio station "cart" machines and RR machines.The part the fellow keeps calling the soleniod coil is NOT the soleniod coil-its the soleniod switch the sense foil in the tape goes over to activate the soleniod coil to move the head.Magnetized parts will slowly erase your tapes--esp the High frequencies.For really valueable tapes--the machine is "demaged" between each pass.And the demagging is done when you are using alignment tapes!!!The demagging will erase the HF tracks on your alignment tape making it no longer accurate.Its easier to clean the capstan when it is running.Use a DAMP swap-not one where the cleaner is dripping out of it-the cleaner then gets into the capstan bearing-same with RR machines.You won't need to lube the bearing as much.For really DIRTY capstans-use a clean rag-handle the rag carefully so it won't wrap in the capstan.Got very good at this.

 

[cb123]

tolivac,

thanks for sharing, that was some terrific information!

 

[tolivac]

For most radio stations now-and with young DJ's---they ask--"Whats a turntable?""Whats a cart machine?""What is a cart?""Whats a reel deck?"They are used to Scotts Studios and other radio station music and spot management systems.No more records,carts,reels,or even CD's-the programs are stored in a computers hard drive.The unit has a touchscreen monitor-you touch the item on the screen from the list that you want to play.You can play the item on air or audition it.Carts were sorta like 8 tracks-an endless loop tape cartridge.Unlike 8 track they ran at a higher tape speed and were stereo or mono single track.8 tracks had a pinch roller in the cart-NAB carts in the machine.Cue tones were recorded onto the tape to stop the machine at the end of play.Aux(tertiery) cue track was used to signal the jock the item played is about to end-or for program automation machines to cue up and even start another event.Cart machines had 2 track(mono) or 3 track heads(stereo)the upper tracks for program-bottom for cue tones.Museam displays often used carts-the tertiery tone was used often to automate the museam display.Sometimes when I needed carts or parts-called a museam supply!Now,I am sure the museam displays are digital,too!I have a few cart machines for old times sake.Came from a station junkpile-they still work.

 

[tolivac]

Another reason 8-tracks and cart decks have to be cleaned often-the lubricant on the tape to keep the layers "slipping' as they wind and unwind in the tape pack.When the lubricant wears off-thats when the 8-track or cart gets "eaten".Tape is no longer lubed-and stretches and breaks.Reel-reel tapes didn't have this special graphite like lube.Another reason you would find broken tape 8-tracks by the road!!Tape stops playing-driver throws it out the window!and if the car is moving cartridge gets smashed and tape flutters all over!!

 

[cb123]

tolivac

I know what you mean...Great Points, but I've found if you open the tape and use a fine nonmagnetic screw driver and kinda like a messaging motion with your hand, you can free the tape which is stuck together. Once your finished, you have a perfect sounding tape, of course, I always replace the sensing foil and pads, because the glue has usually turned to dust. I think for the most part high heat and humidity ( barring the machine being played upside down ) has a good deal to say about how a tape holds up. 

 

[cb123]

Here's a photo, the ones to the left haven't been repaired yet.

The ones on the right have been fully refurbished.

 

[cb123]

The sensing foil on the top is new, the remainder represents different stages of decomp.

 

[tolivac]

Glad there is someone that can repair the 8-tracks.Can you get the lubricant?would think this should be done too.Apply lube to tape as the tape lube wears away from playing the tape.-and it ends up in your machine.And when I spliced carts for the radio stations-gets on your hands.

 

[cb123]

tolivac

When the tape was new, the magnetic side of it was slightly abrasive/that new sticky feel to it, and the lube the manufactures used was to keep the tape from bonding together...ruining the tape. I think about 99.9 percent of your tape failures " Now " is due to the sensing foil as it breaks down, fusing with the tape above it, and that will get a tape tighter than a rich man's wallet...quick! When the tape has any " good use " on it, most of that lube is gone anyway, but the upshot is: the tape now has that smooth burnished effect by natural use, thus no more need for The Jiffy Lube...and in this case viscosity is an 8-Track's best friend. After I'm finished restoring one, the sound quality is just as good as if the day it was new, but you must always replace the sensing foil and nearly always your pads...they have passed their expiration date, just like that Crystal Pepsi echolalia...I meant to say cola!

 

[arh1953]

Here's a hot little number

From Magnavox, early 1970's. 



http://www.ebay.com/itm/185-Vintage...inet-1V9050-/141381993346?hash=item20eb060382

 

[cb123]

That's a pretty nice setup!

 

[cb123]

tolivac,

you'll never guess what came in the mail today....I can't wait to use it! What do you think, should I use it about once every 6 months?