i know this is probly a common problem but why does one of my box's play tapes differently sometimes it'll be fine with some tapes and not others.it will slow down or wobble,put a different album in and perfect for hours.But the tape's all play perfect in my other machines.
sorry about the dumb arse question but I'm still learning thanks

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e with some tapes and not others.it will slow down or wobble,put a different album in and perfect for hours.But the tape's all play perfect in my other machines.

Could be the sign of a stretched belt, the one tape that slows down is probably tighter and exhibits more friction, putting more strain on the decks mechanism and it turn causing the problems you mention. Only way to be sure is to open up the box and check the tension of the belt: is it securely driving the pulley?

with Phil1212

Some tapes are tighter than others and other (healthier) machines may have more torque available to pull the tape through smoothly whilst the problematic box will struggle if the belt is slipping and this will cause speed fluctuation, to a very noticeable degree.

If it's affecting the sound it's more likely the capstan drive belt than the take-up pulley belt, a lazy take up spool will tend to cause the tape to chew up.

are the belts still out there?? chaps before i rip it apart....LOL

put a search in google for CPC...you can get a few belt sets there.....i got a mix of 10 different sizes for about £3-95....worked a treat on one of my boxes.......still got another 9 to repair though...........see you next year LOL

thanks dave will do

Try cleaning the pinch roller.
Will give the tape a better grip.

yer I have done that transwave it worked better but then slowly returned to the same..I've bought some belts now so hopefully that'll do the trick

rebelted it and still the same well maybe not the same what it does now is at first it's ok then it slowy gets muffled ,,take the tape out and in again and the same !!! cleaned the head alot better but then returns to muffled again and after a long period it gets very quite is it the head no good!!

First, have you tried adjusting the head azymuth screw? It can make a world of difference.

Gradually getting muffled is generally a sign that the tape path is wandering off, which can sometimes be caused by a worn capstan bearing.
Take the capstan silver spindle in your fingers and pull gently up and down, does it move?
If yes, then it's going to drift during play and the tape will shift by a minute fraction, a similar effect as adjusting the azymuth.
Some boxes (JVC M70's notably) can exhibit this tendency when rocked back and forth.
This can also be caused if the nylon screw in the back of the capstan flywheel has been loosened for whatever reason, again the whole assembly can drift back and forth.

Another idea to throw into the pot anyway

i think the pinch roller has had it,i've had this problem,knackered pinch roller can cause all sorts of problems..can cause wobble,dull sound,varying speeds,allsorts..

I haven't tried any of them ideas can you tell me what the azymuth screw is and what it does and where it is...thanks

I have no problems

It's a small screw on one side of the tape head, used for 'fine tuning' the alignment of the rec/pb head in relation to the pattern recorded on the tape. It allows one side of the head to be raised/lowered by a tiny amount. There's usually (but not always) a small hole that will allow a jewellers screwdriver to be inserted and used for this task.

*Generally these screws are sealed with Loctite compound and it's usually unneccesary to mess with it unless someone else has tinkered previously*

yer I see what ya mean I won't touch it unless all else fails thanks mate

Check the takeup wheel the pull on the wheel might be to high. (takeup torque).

If you can get good sound from it the heads are probably still good.

Prabably the belt is week.
Starts to stretch after a while of playing.

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right this the update I believe it to be something to do with the motor as I have now found that the fast forward is slow....also my other machine the crown which is brand new never used as such is running very slighty slow which direction do i turn the motor shrew ???thanks for all these helpful suggestions I'm still learning!

yes it's going better now I have put it together right!!!! I think it maybe a capston wheel as all the belts are new!!! no movement on the spindle.sound is improved only small problem is on very long tapes which is the capston wheel not gripping proply would i be right in this??? only a small amount of wobble liveable with but would like to get it going as new can you get the capstons