Reloadable cassette?!

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

Hey all--

I've just had delivered to me here at the studio two of what were
identified to me as "reloadable cassette" tapes. The request is that I
put them into conventional shells.

The reels *look* like standard 1/8" compact cassette, so I think it'll
work--I've been through this nightmare before. However, it occurred to
me that I'd ask if anybody else out there had ever run across this
format, and if so were there any pitfalls I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance--

Gordon Rice
Chief Engineer
Sigma Sound
Philadelphia PA

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

Hey hey--

Believe it or not, they were intentionally out of the shells. I did a
little research; a company in Texas called INFOmotion
(www.info-motion.com) sold the "reloadable cassette" format primarily
to insurance companies (who need to save storage space). They
apparently still manufacture snap-together shells; after looking the
constructions over on the website I decided that their snap-together
shell looked a little flimsy and impermanent so I sacrificed a couple
of Maxell blanks--result: Client is happy.

--gmr

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

On 2005-02-22 mrivers@d-and-d.com said:
>blanks--result: Client is happy. Interesting. Radio Shack used to
>sell a "Cassette Repair Kit" which included a screw-together shell
>and, I think, some splicing tabs and new reels. You could
>transplant as much as necessary from a cassette with a broken shell
>or jammed reel. I doubt they still have it in the catalog, but I
>haven't "webbed." No matter, since you don't need it, but just an
>interesting piece of history. --
IIRC National Audio in MIssouri used to sell loadable cassette shells
and bulk 1/8" tape for loading your own.
SEems to me at one time many higher quality cassettes had screw
together shells making repairs easier.

AT one time I had the cassette GIbson Girl type spklicing apparatus as
well. tHink it came from the Shack as well.

I think libraries for the blind etc. who did a lot of audio books on
cassette half speed four-track mono used to buy these white reloadable
cassette shells. National Audio was one source and there were others.
A little web surfing might turn up what the original poster needs.





Richard Webb,
Electric SPider Productions, New Orleans, La.
REplace anything before the @ symbol with elspider for real email

--



A good captain is one who is hoisting his first drink in a
bar when the storm hits.

My company MJS Magnetic tapes has been manufacturing cassettes including custom bulk loads since the late 70's. We also had clients for whom we duplicated cassette products. We still sell replaceable cassettes screw type so our customers can rebuild their tapes. Several people on this site have given their ideas to take apart old cassettes by cutting them open with a blade. That seems like a lot of work. Most of the record companies that made pre recorded tapes used much higher grade tape than voice quality and some even used high bias. I like the idea of rerecording the tape if the used tape is in good shape. If you go from a cd to a decent cassette deck the quality should be very good to excellent. With a lot of people going to cd cassette collections can be bought for 25 cents per. Go to the flea market and hunt around. Go to the used record stores I have seen a ton of great artists for 25-50 cents each. We sell screw type cassettes with all the inside workings at $1 each plus ship. We also have brand new high bias bulk loaded TDK Pro cassettes for sale on ebay. You can record the music and take the hubs out and replace your old cassette inards with the new product. Good luck.