It was my first boombox back in 1983, and today I received one via eBay. Surprisingly good condition for something 38 years old, though with one slider missing. Gave the heads, capstan and roller a flipping good clean (and they needed it), and aligned the head. Playback is so far acceptable. On recording however, the previous recording on a tape is not erased. This suggests the erase head is at fault. I did manage to get a lot of oxide off of it, but so far to no avail. Are Philips erase heads known to fail? Any suggestions are welcome. Also if anyone can recommend a suitable size of replacement belt, that would be lovely. The current one appears to go slack when the motor starts and stops, but otherwise drives well.
It is great to find a box like you had years ago. Unless it is a permanent magnet there is far more to go wrong than just the head. Having said that most cassette recorders have a large multiway slide switch inside that switches all the circuitry between playback and recording. Dirty contacts on it can cause all sorts of problems. Try spraying some contact cleaner in then go between play and record many times.
I managed to access and spray the multiway slide switch, and this did nothing to cure the lack of erase head activity. No matter. Another feature that needs tackling is the "hydraulic eject" system - a cog that is normally lubricated with something thick, so the cog will be stiff in movement. What kind of lubricant is used here? Right now this thing does not pass the Dad Test™.
And because it is a Philips, it comes with those famous gears made of cheese. Removing the capstan flywheel reveals a mounted gear with ten diagonal spokes, and a visible crack down it. This seems to interfere with the takeup spool in play mode, leadign to tapes being eaten. Has anyone ever successfully 3D printed repalcement gears? Should I attempt to just superglue it back intact?
I wonder how all these are made ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/fotoelek...sB0AAOSw96xgjAlp&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562 It might be worth contacting the seller.
Not just Philips.. I have 3 Sharp MiniDisc portables that all suffer from a cracked, tiny gear. Supposedly press fit on the sled axle, but after 15+ years no fit and TOC error as a result. You see the crack in the small gear (white background showing) that meshes with the worm gear part of the larger gear assembly.
