I was looking at getting a Toshiba KT-AS2, but was wondering if anyone had any insight or opinions on this model? The only information I could find anywhere else was just that one person said it was "complex" to repair, but that could be subjective. If anyone has any experience re-belting one of these at the very least I would like to know if it really is a daunting task. I'm no stranger to replacing belts on gear and even doing recaps, but I wouldn't want to bite off more than I can chew.
Main problem on these units (KT-AS1/AS2) are the cracked table reel gears and reel table retainers. This is the complex part in the repair, it's pretty tricky to get it right especially the table reel retainers which must be kept in the same position relative to the table reel otherwise it will become eccentric. The gears' holes have to be enlarged with a drillbit (so no longer a press fit) then glued to the shaft at the right depth. Same with the retainers, if hole not enlarged the hexagon connecting to the table reel will be too tight and the spring pushing reel up/down won't be able to push it up. It's definetely a complex repair, not just a re-belt. Replacing just the belt is pretty straight-forward to do, requiring some wires to be desoldered and a flywheel platet to be removed. Of course, while doing all these, cleaning and re-lubricating the main rotating parts (capstan bearings, reel bushings, motor) is also recommended. Another issue on these is volume potentiometers tend to fail, the wiper separating itself from the center part that rotates it. To be noted the cracked gears and retainers happens on all of them.
Ah, that's disappointing to hear. Not that I'm naive enough to think everything lasts forever, but it's a shame that it truly involves some complex repairs. Sounds like that's best left to someone with more experience than myself. Thanks for the detailed response! Any idea if a lot of Toshiba models share the same mech?
Have a list at post #42 here: https://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/list-of-walkman-portable-recorders-common-problems.7535/page-3 But there may be more. There are units like RT-KS1 (only one takeup reel presses for FF/REW, not both) which look similar but not identical.
