Reel to reel speed slows after playing long time

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

I am trying to restore a Sony TC-630 reel-to-reel recorder. It records fine,
but after I play the recording for a period of time, say ten minutes, the
speed starts to slow down and gets worse with time. After turning the unit
off and letting it rest awhile, the speed is correct again for a time, then
slows down again. I have lubricated and cleaned everything that I should.
Any ideas???

Thanks,
Steven

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

On Tue, 08 Mar 2005 20:32:48 -0500, Arny Krueger wrote:

> "csblue" <csblue@socal.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:U3rXd.3357$Mf.122@twister.socal.rr.com
>> I am trying to restore a Sony TC-630 reel-to-reel recorder. It
>> records fine, but after I play the recording for a period of time,
>> say ten minutes, the speed starts to slow down and gets worse with
>> time. After turning the unit off and letting it rest awhile, the
>> speed is correct again for a time, then slows down again. I have
>> lubricated and cleaned everything that I should. Any ideas???
>
> My recollection is that the TC-630 is a single motor deck that used rubber
> wheels and bands in its drive mechanisms. They slip particularly if dirty,
> and slip more when warm. You might see what you can do by cleaning the drive
> pulleys and rubber bands with a good rubber-friendly cleaner.

Rubber parts also harden with age and slip. It could also be the internal
lubrication of the motor itself or a worn bearing. If either of these, it
could require replacement of the part to make an effective fix.


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Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

csblue wrote:
> I am trying to restore a Sony TC-630 reel-to-reel recorder. It
records fine,
> but after I play the recording for a period of time, say ten minutes,
the
> speed starts to slow down and gets worse with time. After turning the
unit
> off and letting it rest awhile, the speed is correct again for a
time, then
> slows down again. I have lubricated and cleaned everything that I
should.
> Any ideas???
>
> Thanks,
> Steven

Sony TC-630/630D have a cross-hatched pulley and rubber roller to
control the speed. These wear and age where the tapes gets slower and
slower over time. You should see these when you lubbricated the deck,
and it can be checked with a calibration tape. Unfortunately there is
no real solution for this as the deck isn't serviced by anyone that I
can find anymore, and parts aren't available. A few years ago Sony
recommended a shop in Chicago which specializes in older stereo
equipment, but I didn't check into it to fix mine as Sony said they no
longer carry parts (pulley, bands, heads are the usual stuff replaced
in a service and calibration).

If you still want one for parts, let me know. Mine still works and has
only been used sparingly since the last service in the mid-1980's, just
enough to copy tape-only stuff onto DAT's and CD's. I don't know how
long it has left before it slows from pulley wear and the last time it
was used (about a year ago) and 45 minute tape timed ok to the end.

The alternative is get another reel-to-reel. Some cities have used
equipment stores which may have ones to get you through. Or, there
still are some new reel-to-reel decks available, mostly highend
(expensive) ones.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

"Doug" <rarpa50@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1110551505.206581.250590@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Once I was able to repair a Sony with a speed problem by replacing the
> "run" capacitor connected to the motor. I believe there is usually a
> "start" capacitor also.
> Has anyone else tried this?
>
> Doug

Hey Doug,

thanks for your input. I have heard that this model is notorius for the
capacitor problem. If I can get one I might try that fix and see if I can
get away cheaply.

Thanks,

Steven