So you know tape machines?

craschowder · 10th August 2008, 07:48 AM

If you have experience with tape machines (especially the "table top" type) I have a question for you.

I picked up a Tascam 32 today. Just a basic 1/4" 2 track stereo (mixdown) deck. And the weirdest problem has materialized.

The two round areas where you attach the reels (not sure what to call them) Appear to be "sunken in" a tad. About two centimeters. Both of them. SO... when a reel(s) is loaded it scrapes against the machine, hindering or even stopping the spinning.

Weird thing is, I don't think those round "loading" areas are adjustable... at all... so how would they get sunken it without breaking the interior to pieces?

Any ideas? It's a nice machine, and matches my 38 so I would love it to work out. Any help is appreciated. This is a great forum!

norman_nomad · 10th August 2008, 08:18 AM

It may be that the top panel itself is not secured tightly against the machinery beneath it.

Are there any screws from the top panel that are missing?

craschowder · 10th August 2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norman_nomad

It may be that the top panel itself is not secured tightly against the machinery beneath it.

Are there any screws from the top panel that are missing?

Unfortunately not, any other thoughts?

norman_nomad · 10th August 2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craschowder

Unfortunately not, any other thoughts?

Have you opened it up to see what might be impeding the spools from being flush with the face plate?

My hunch is still that this is a simple mechanical thing...something just needs to be "pushed" back into place.

Ken Paul · 10th August 2008, 10:03 AM

It's been awhile but I seem to recall a rubber pad over that surface that acted as a spacer. Does yours have something like that??

Ken Paul
Kengineering

craschowder · 10th August 2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Paul

It's been awhile but I seem to recall a rubber pad over that surface that acted as a spacer. Does yours have something like that??

Ken Paul
Kengineering

There is a very thin ribber surface affixed but they're still sunken in...

And norman, I opened the back and the machine and the motors are firmly in place. Don't see where they could be moved within the unit.

John Willett · 10th August 2008, 11:27 AM

If I remember correctly, Tascam NAB adaptors had a clip-on ring round the bottom to raise the spool up a bit ?????

dbbubba · 10th August 2008, 04:43 PM

I have a 34 and used to have a 38 about twenty years ago.

The reel tables (the proper word for those) should be about approx. 3/16 ABOVE the front panel (called a deck plate.)
There are surrounds that are tapered and the top of the reel table, including the rubber reel table surface should be a bit more than 1/16" above that.

If you look an the back of the reel table there is a set screw that secures the reel table to the take up and supply motor shafts.
It is hard to see, but it IS there.

The deck has probably fallen over on it's face and the reel tables and spindles were pushed back.
Just hope that they are not bent and pray that the motor shaft is not bent.

I know all about this because I once re-built a TASCAM 52 and I had to replace the reel table on one side because the spindle was broke off.
All of the TASCAMs from that era use the same part for the reel table.

Look and you'll see the set screw.
It might be a hex screw, but it's there.

All tape decks have a screw to attach the reel table and set it's height.
Motors don't come as one piece... think about it.
It is two different materials (motor shaft and reel table.)

theblue1 · 10th August 2008, 04:45 PM

If your model 32 is like the 3240 and 3340's I had, I believe there are set screws in the spool spindles that allow the spools to slide up or down on the shafts their mounted on.

Assuming the frame inside the machine and the motor mounts, etc, are not damaged or loose and your 32 does have such set screws, it's a matter of simply loosening them, finding the right position, and re-tightening them. If you can find a manual, you might even be able to get the precise measurement for them. But I did it by eye the first time and then set up a sort of defacto caliper thingie with the right spool height marked on it so I could just hold it up against the spool and check the adjustment quickly. It took a little while but worked fine.

[EDIT]
Looks like Danny beat me to it with specifics (and even proper terms

). I'm not absolutely sure his measurements will apply to your 32 (assuming they were based on his much different machines [I also had a model 3700 8 track, more different still]. But the principle remains.

dbbubba · 10th August 2008, 05:26 PM

The reel table height needs to be fairly precise because you don't want the tape to band as it goes onto the supply side tension roller or it's brother on the take-up side.

I set the one on the 52 by eye.
You could measure it, but the height at the tension rollers on the tension arms will determine where it needs to be.

Those tension rollers have a crappy design using a teflon washer that is supposed to keep the cap from preventing the actual roller from spinning.
They always get messed up and need attention.
The teflon washers have been missing on most of the decks I ever see.

craschowder · 10th August 2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbbubba

I have a 34 and used to have a 38 about twenty years ago.

The reel tables (the proper word for those) should be about approx. 3/16 ABOVE the front panel (called a deck plate.)
There are surrounds that are tapered and the top of the reel table, including the rubber reel table surface should be a bit more than 1/16" above that.

If you look an the back of the reel table there is a set screw that secures the reel table to the take up and supply motor shafts.
It is hard to see, but it IS there.

The deck has probably fallen over on it's face and the reel tables and spindles were pushed back.
Just hope that they are not bent and pray that the motor shaft is not bent.

I know all about this because I once re-built a TASCAM 52 and I had to replace the reel table on one side because the spindle was broke off.
All of the TASCAMs from that era use the same part for the reel table.

Look and you'll see the set screw.
It might be a hex screw, but it's there.

All tape decks have a screw to attach the reel table and set it's height.
Motors don't come as one piece... think about it.
It is two different materials (motor shaft and reel table.)

When I open the back I see the motors (grey box's each with a spinning "pinwheel" on the back. There are several screws there but they do not appear to effect the reel tables. Are the set screws (or screw) that you mentioned "in front of" the motors? Do I need to remove the motors to get to these adjustment screws? Thanks for your help!!!!

craschowder · 11th August 2008, 04:30 AM

twotracker · 11th August 2008, 12:42 PM

The set screws are accessed from the top/front not from the back. It takes a little allen wrench, and you don't want to loosen too much and have it fall out.

I've done this on several Tascams, including a 32. Easy fix

craschowder · 11th August 2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twotracker

The set screws are accessed from the top/front not from the back. It takes a little allen wrench, and you don't want to loosen too much and have it fall out.

I've done this on several Tascams, including a 32. Easy fix

I took the front face off and I just don't see any adjusters? I'm sure I'm just looking in the wrong place. Where are they within the body exactly are they located? I REALLY appreciate everyones help so far! You guys are awesome!

craschowder · 12th August 2008, 03:51 AM

I GOT IT!!! Thanks to everyone for their advice!! Another problem solved with the help of the gear slutz of the world! Now I'm chillin'

dbbubba · 12th August 2008, 07:45 AM

There you go!!!!!

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10th August 2008, 07:48 AM	#1
craschowder Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 71	So you know tape machines? If you have experience with tape machines (especially the "table top" type) I have a question for you. I picked up a Tascam 32 today. Just a basic 1/4" 2 track stereo (mixdown) deck. And the weirdest problem has materialized. The two round areas where you attach the reels (not sure what to call them) Appear to be "sunken in" a tad. About two centimeters. Both of them. SO... when a reel(s) is loaded it scrapes against the machine, hindering or even stopping the spinning. Weird thing is, I don't think those round "loading" areas are adjustable... at all... so how would they get sunken it without breaking the interior to pieces? Any ideas? It's a nice machine, and matches my 38 so I would love it to work out. Any help is appreciated. This is a great forum!

10th August 2008, 11:27 AM	#7
John Willett Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,052	If I remember correctly, Tascam NAB adaptors had a clip-on ring round the bottom to raise the spool up a bit ????? __________________ John President - Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons (and lots more - please look at my Profile)

10th August 2008, 04:43 PM	#8
dbbubba Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,901	I have a 34 and used to have a 38 about twenty years ago. The reel tables (the proper word for those) should be about approx. 3/16 ABOVE the front panel (called a deck plate.) There are surrounds that are tapered and the top of the reel table, including the rubber reel table surface should be a bit more than 1/16" above that. If you look an the back of the reel table there is a set screw that secures the reel table to the take up and supply motor shafts. It is hard to see, but it IS there. The deck has probably fallen over on it's face and the reel tables and spindles were pushed back. Just hope that they are not bent and pray that the motor shaft is not bent. I know all about this because I once re-built a TASCAM 52 and I had to replace the reel table on one side because the spindle was broke off. All of the TASCAMs from that era use the same part for the reel table. Look and you'll see the set screw. It might be a hex screw, but it's there. All tape decks have a screw to attach the reel table and set it's height. Motors don't come as one piece... think about it. It is two different materials (motor shaft and reel table.) __________________ Danny Brown

10th August 2008, 04:45 PM	#9
theblue1 Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 5,791	If your model 32 is like the 3240 and 3340's I had, I believe there are set screws in the spool spindles that allow the spools to slide up or down on the shafts their mounted on. Assuming the frame inside the machine and the motor mounts, etc, are not damaged or loose and your 32 does have such set screws, it's a matter of simply loosening them, finding the right position, and re-tightening them. If you can find a manual, you might even be able to get the precise measurement for them. But I did it by eye the first time and then set up a sort of defacto caliper thingie with the right spool height marked on it so I could just hold it up against the spool and check the adjustment quickly. It took a little while but worked fine. [EDIT] Looks like Danny beat me to it with specifics (and even proper terms ). I'm not absolutely sure his measurements will apply to your 32 (assuming they were based on his much different machines [I also had a model 3700 8 track, more different still]. But the principle remains. __________________ biz \| profile \| songblog \| acoustic \| mutant roots pop \| instrumentals

10th August 2008, 08:18 AM	#2
norman_nomad Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,978	It may be that the top panel itself is not secured tightly against the machinery beneath it. Are there any screws from the top panel that are missing?

10th August 2008, 10:03 AM	#5
Ken Paul Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 368	It's been awhile but I seem to recall a rubber pad over that surface that acted as a spacer. Does yours have something like that?? Ken Paul Kengineering

10th August 2008, 05:26 PM	#10
dbbubba Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,901	The reel table height needs to be fairly precise because you don't want the tape to band as it goes onto the supply side tension roller or it's brother on the take-up side. I set the one on the 52 by eye. You could measure it, but the height at the tension rollers on the tension arms will determine where it needs to be. Those tension rollers have a crappy design using a teflon washer that is supposed to keep the cap from preventing the actual roller from spinning. They always get messed up and need attention. The teflon washers have been missing on most of the decks I ever see. __________________ Danny Brown

11th August 2008, 04:30 AM	#12
craschowder Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 71

11th August 2008, 12:42 PM	#13
twotracker Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 151	The set screws are accessed from the top/front not from the back. It takes a little allen wrench, and you don't want to loosen too much and have it fall out. I've done this on several Tascams, including a 32. Easy fix

12th August 2008, 03:51 AM	#15
craschowder Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 71	I GOT IT!!! Thanks to everyone for their advice!! Another problem solved with the help of the gear slutz of the world! Now I'm chillin'

12th August 2008, 07:45 AM	#16
dbbubba Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,901	There you go!!!!! __________________ Danny Brown

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