https://ibb.co/Ww2YJ3K It plays sorta on speed the beginning and further into the gets slower or severely then eventually to a halt. Belts are fine ieven made sure I got the right thickness and tension cleaned the tape path pinch roller has a very tiny wear but looks fine. But if you look at the pinch roller I bet that's the problem. Seens the pinch roller part was never an available item I looked for the usual aftermarket makers but could find anything. Do you reckon polishing the shaft or with the right sandpaper could fix it? I know similar fixes have been good on the bigger tape reel players.
The capstan is indeed polished. Assuming the motor still runs and only tape stops, that's your problem. You need to etch the capstan with ferric chloride and a Q-tip. Soak a Q-tip in the substance and rub it against the capstan while running (in FF/REW so roller is disenegaged). After this clean everything thoroughly with IPA before using any tape.
