nobody
03-22-2012, 08:33 AM
I'm not going to argue the merits of cassettes or anything like that, but I do have fun with a tape deck from time to time, either making mixes for friends or parties or for a few stacks of new cassettes by some less mainstream artists I still pick up from time to time. I've been using a Denon dual deck for a while now, but casually looking around I came across a Nakamichi RX-202 on Craigslist that I could grab for $20. The guy said it all worked perfectly and I could bring it back if it did not.
Well, he was wrong. It would play a tape, but it would not rewind or fast forward. But instead of just running it back, it was cheap enough that I figured even if I put a few bucks into it I'd be OK in the end. So I poked around online and saw a few different opinions as to what was likely wrong. The most likely culprit to me looked to be the idler tire or maybe the belts so I ordered a kit for just under $20 that had all those parts in there and figured I didn't have a ton to lose.
I opened her up and looked for a few things people online had mentioned, but most of the belts were hidden unless I wanted to start risking a lot of disassembly that I am nowhere near experienced enough to venture into. The main drive belt, which I had a nice view of looked in fine shape and was spinning smoothly and there seemed to be no slipping or anything and the belts seemed to be turning the idler smoothly so I figured I'd skip replacing the belt and try replacing the idler tire. I came across step-by-step instructions for the procedure, read them a few times and felt fairly confident that I could do it without screwing anything up too badly.
Here's the link for the instructions, complete with pictures for anyone interested: DIY RX-202 Idler Tire Replacement (http://www.nakremotes.com/Geo/RX-202_Idler.htm)
Taking things apart was actually pretty easy, even the arm that holds the tape in place. Pulling off the tiny rubber washer that held the wheel in place without damaging it was a bit tricky but I managed. Once I had the wheel off, slipping on the new tire was simple enough as was getting it back in place; and using a piece of tape, even replacing the small washer was simple enough. Time for testing. And... perfect. Fast forward, rewind, play, smooth as silk. Not a hitch.
Now came the tough part. Putting it all back together. I admit to some serious struggles with reattaching the lock arm, especially getting it all to hold still while I screwed in the bracket that holds it and perhaps even more so getting the tiny spring to get where it needed to be. But, with some difficulty I eventually managed. Deep breath, go slow, don't rush... Once that arm was back in place closing up everything else was a snap.
The only thing I did differently from the instructions at the link above was I was able to fiddle off the back plate without rotating the flipping mechanism. My screwdriver reached without having to move it out of the way and I thought best not to start messing with those gears unless absolutely necessary. I still have a belt set and perhaps down the road I will need them, but I am just now happy to be up and running and decided my lack of know how and desire to not fix what isn't broken would serve me well in this instance.
Anyway, all's well that ends well and now I am the owner of a fully functioning Nakamichi RX-202. I hadn't listened to a tape on a Nak for probably over 20 years but I was always fond of their signature sound and when I threw some headphones on as soon as everything was back together, I could hear why again. Got it all hooked up to the rest of the stereo last night, now maybe I'll have to check out how this one records and make up a mix over the weekend.
Anyway, just figured I'd share my mini-success story since I must admit I am not experienced messing around on the internals of these things so I was quite excited to have gotten this thing all spiffed up. Any of the rest of you even mess with tapes at all anymore? I've not gone reel-to-reel yet, but I've been keeping my eyes peeled in case I ever come across a deal on one.
Well, he was wrong. It would play a tape, but it would not rewind or fast forward. But instead of just running it back, it was cheap enough that I figured even if I put a few bucks into it I'd be OK in the end. So I poked around online and saw a few different opinions as to what was likely wrong. The most likely culprit to me looked to be the idler tire or maybe the belts so I ordered a kit for just under $20 that had all those parts in there and figured I didn't have a ton to lose.
I opened her up and looked for a few things people online had mentioned, but most of the belts were hidden unless I wanted to start risking a lot of disassembly that I am nowhere near experienced enough to venture into. The main drive belt, which I had a nice view of looked in fine shape and was spinning smoothly and there seemed to be no slipping or anything and the belts seemed to be turning the idler smoothly so I figured I'd skip replacing the belt and try replacing the idler tire. I came across step-by-step instructions for the procedure, read them a few times and felt fairly confident that I could do it without screwing anything up too badly.
Here's the link for the instructions, complete with pictures for anyone interested: DIY RX-202 Idler Tire Replacement (http://www.nakremotes.com/Geo/RX-202_Idler.htm)
Taking things apart was actually pretty easy, even the arm that holds the tape in place. Pulling off the tiny rubber washer that held the wheel in place without damaging it was a bit tricky but I managed. Once I had the wheel off, slipping on the new tire was simple enough as was getting it back in place; and using a piece of tape, even replacing the small washer was simple enough. Time for testing. And... perfect. Fast forward, rewind, play, smooth as silk. Not a hitch.
Now came the tough part. Putting it all back together. I admit to some serious struggles with reattaching the lock arm, especially getting it all to hold still while I screwed in the bracket that holds it and perhaps even more so getting the tiny spring to get where it needed to be. But, with some difficulty I eventually managed. Deep breath, go slow, don't rush... Once that arm was back in place closing up everything else was a snap.
The only thing I did differently from the instructions at the link above was I was able to fiddle off the back plate without rotating the flipping mechanism. My screwdriver reached without having to move it out of the way and I thought best not to start messing with those gears unless absolutely necessary. I still have a belt set and perhaps down the road I will need them, but I am just now happy to be up and running and decided my lack of know how and desire to not fix what isn't broken would serve me well in this instance.
Anyway, all's well that ends well and now I am the owner of a fully functioning Nakamichi RX-202. I hadn't listened to a tape on a Nak for probably over 20 years but I was always fond of their signature sound and when I threw some headphones on as soon as everything was back together, I could hear why again. Got it all hooked up to the rest of the stereo last night, now maybe I'll have to check out how this one records and make up a mix over the weekend.
Anyway, just figured I'd share my mini-success story since I must admit I am not experienced messing around on the internals of these things so I was quite excited to have gotten this thing all spiffed up. Any of the rest of you even mess with tapes at all anymore? I've not gone reel-to-reel yet, but I've been keeping my eyes peeled in case I ever come across a deal on one.