Hi everyone, I've just restored a Sony TC-D5 Pro: new speaker, all 3 belts replaced (new kit from phonohifishop), gears cleaned and greased. The pinch roller is original but looks in good shape, not glazed. The situation: Commercial pre-recorded cassettes from the 80s/90s play fine. Brand new Philips Type 1 Ferro blanks slow down after a few seconds of play. I tested two sealed tapes and both do the same. Interesting detail: the tape runs fine over the clear leader and for a moment at the start of the brown tape, then the slowdown begins. The same Philips tape plays fine in a cheap Sony TCM-939 cassette-corder. Fast-forwarding and rewinding the full tape didn't help. I'm attaching videos showing the behaviour. Old tape playing good: New tape slowing down (front): New tape slowing down (gears): Is this normal for a healthy TC-D5, or does it suggest my motor/speed regulator is weak under load? Should a good TC-D5 handle these modern blanks? Any experience with these decks and modern tape would be very appreciated. Thanks!
Don't think the tape has any problem. Even with the pre-recorded tape the speed jumps quite a bit and it's audible. It's just that the pre-recorded has a different formulation which is not as slippery. To me it looks like a polished capstan problem, as in third video it can be seen motor and flywheel are still rotating, but tape is not moving. I would proceed with etching the capstan with ferric chloride: whiile rotating in REW keep a cotton swab soaked in substance against the capstan (area that comes in contact with tape). Clean with IPA both capstan and roller after.
Thanks for the advice! Didn't know about that, I'll try Would this one work? https://www.biolaboratorium.com/en/products/eisenchlorid-37-100ml-biomus Thanks!
In case the capstan is harder than normal, I've used Rubber Renue to soften it up. Sometimes it lasts awhile, sometimes it helps with finding problems before getting replacement rubber.
@jvlobo That product look good for the job yes. Rubber Renue is good for rubber things, there's also a similar one in Europe called Nowa Guma which does the same thing. But for the most part if roller isn't glazed or hard as a rock I wouldn't suspect it.
Awesome, thanks guys. I think I'll try the ferric chloride first and see what happens, if it doesn't solve I'll put my attention on the rubber parts. I'll let you know how it goes.
