The head mounting is spring loaded so when you
remove the screw the head will move a little
bit. Before I remove the screw I carefully
measure the distance from the head mounting plate
to the chassis metal beneath the head. When I
replace the screw I tighten it until I have the
same measurement as before, then I fine tune the
azimuth with the usual procedure. With careful
measurement I find that I only need to make a
small (much less than one turn) adjustment to get
the AZ tape to reproduce correctly. I usually
measure several times until I'm confident I have a good repeatable number.
Jeff
At 08:26 PM 7/22/2017, you wrote:
>Great idea, Jeff. If I remove the Philips-head screw to replace it, will
>that foul anything up with the head mounting? If things will stay where
>they are, that would be pretty easy. Sometimes the simplest solutions are
>the best ones.
>
>Thanks,
>John
>
>
>On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 7:34 PM, Jeff Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > I replace the Philips AZ screw with a socket head screw exactly because I
> > have seen the Philips heads get worn out. AZ adjustment with a long shank
> > Allen key is then a piece of cake.
> >
> > Jeff
> >
> >
> >
> > At 04:47 PM 7/22/2017, you wrote:
> >
> >> Tim, that is really a dandy mod. Azimuth adjustment is sooo critical on
> >> cassettes, yet hard to adjust on the Tascam machine, a popular workhouse
> >> pro cassette machine. I adjust my 122 MkIII with a very small Philips
> >> head
> >> screwdriver, but it is no fun getting to the screw, and I worry about the
> >> screw head becoming "carved out" as so many Philips-head screws do over
> >> time. Doing the adjustment gets very delicate. Can one even find
> >> replacement screws? One with a long shank sticking out that you could
> >> turn
> >> by hand might be an easy mod?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> John Haley
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Jul 22, 2017 at 2:28 AM, Tim Gillett <[log in to unmask]
> >> >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Thanks Corey,
> >> >
> >> > Yes maybe you saw the mod by (I think ) Thal Engineering for Studer open
> >> > reel machines. Now that's classy looking, and probably with a price to
> >> > match.
> >> >
> >> > Thing is with many cassette machines it's a harder design, as the head
> >> > platform moves in and out, and there can be very limited space. I made
> >> 6
> >> > or 8 of them by hand for Tascam 122 MkII and III's for a big cassette
> >> > archiving project but it wasnt simple. The heart of it is a tiny ball
> >> and
> >> > socket arrangement (not visible in the photo). Cost of parts is trivial.
> >> > More the idea and the implementation. Mine is really only a prototype
> >> but
> >> > demonstrates what can be done.
> >> >
> >> > Cheers
> >> >
> >> > Tim Gillett
> >> >
> >> > Perth,
> >> > Western Australia
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Corey Bailey" <
> >> [log in to unmask]
> >> > >
> >> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> > Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2017 1:12 PM
> >> >
> >> > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Hi Tim,
> >> >>
> >> >> Now, that's pretty slick! For those cassette decks that need access to
> >> >> the azimuth screw, I usually drill a hole so the azimuth screw can be
> >> >> accessed with a screwdriver (my own studio, of course). I've seen the
> >> >> thumbscrew mod on some 2tr. machines where the studio tech had access
> >> to a
> >> >> machine shop.
> >> >>
> >> >> Cheers!
> >> >>
> >> >> Corey
> >> >> Corey Bailey Audio Engineering
> >> >> www.baileyzone.net
> >> >>
> >> >> On 7/21/2017 6:02 PM, Tim Gillett wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>> Yes bridging the "cassette in" switch is another cleaning work around.
> >> >>> The advantage of the cassette tool is that it can be used on almost
> >> any
> >> >>> cassette machine with no machine mods needed.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Machine mods could be a whole other discussion. I feel the single most
> >> >>> useful mod for cassette decks for a
> >> >>> transfer engineer is a front panel user azimuth adjuster. Here is an
> >> >>> example on a Tascam 122 MkII. I have also made these for Tascam 122
> >> MkIII's
> >> >>> and Nakamichis.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> http://imgur.com/rERTQaw
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Tim Gillett
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Perth,
> >> >>> Western Australia
> >> >>>
> >> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ellis Burman" <
> >> >>> [log in to unmask]>
> >> >>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>> Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2017 3:51 AM
> >> >>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Ours kept shutting off. I traced it to an intermittent leaf switch
> >> that
> >> >>> detects whether a cassette in inserted. I jumpered the switch with a
> >> >>> blob
> >> >>> of solder, and now it works great and can be run with no cassette
> >> >>> inserted
> >> >>> for easy cleaning.
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Ellis
> >> >>>
> >> >>> On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 11:53 PM, Tim Gillett <
> >> >>> [log in to unmask]>
> >> >>> wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>> True, and a nice bright light - and glasses if you need them for
> >> close
> >> >>>> viewing.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Campbell" <
> >> >>>> [log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 11:39 AM
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> ...flipping-off the cassette door facia panel and aslo mouting the
> >> >>>> player
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>> in a rear-ward-sloping rack mounting....does help a little visual
> >> and
> >> >>>>> physical access to capstan and pinchroller and head access wrt
> >> access.
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >> >>>>> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:
> >> >>>>> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Gillett
> >> >>>>> Sent: Friday, 21 July 2017 8:28 AM
> >> >>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> >>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Hi Corey,
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Interestingly, the 122 the owner's manual states the pinch roller
> >> and
> >> >>>>> capstan should be cleaned "at least once a day the deck is used"...
> >> >>>>> but
> >> >>>>> without resorting to extra expedients as we've both described, even
> >> >>>>> as a
> >> >>>>> techie I'd struggle to perform this basic first line daily
> >> maintenance.
> >> >>>>> Even with the non standard expedients the pinch roller and capstan
> >> are
> >> >>>>> still tricky to clean, and I'd suggest without such expedients, or
> >> a
> >> >>>>> custom machine mod, almost impossible.
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Human nature being what it is, unless a basic daily task like this
> >> is
> >> >>>>> easy to perform, it will tend to be skipped. A basic error by
> >> Tascam
> >> >>>>> IMO
> >> >>>>> especially as the machine was marketed and regarded as a pro
> >> machine,
> >> >>>>> and
> >> >>>>> now seems almost a defacto standard for archives and transfer
> >> >>>>> engineers.
> >> >>>>> A
> >> >>>>> shame as in so many other ways an excellent machine.
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Cheers,
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Tim Gillett
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Perth,
> >> >>>>> Western Australia
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >> >>>>> From: "Corey Bailey" <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>>> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 2:44 AM
> >> >>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>> Hi Tim,
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>>> As you learned the hard way, this list does not accept attachments
> >> and
> >> >>>>>> will strip them from your post.
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> Regarding the picture of the cassette that you posted:
> >> >>>>>> I have made a few variations of these for those pesky decks where
> >> the
> >> >>>>>> cassette sensor is hard to get to. Generally, I will put a small
> >> piece
> >> >>>>>> of
> >> >>>>>> tape across the tape sensor lever (located at the top of the
> >> cassette
> >> >>>>>> bay)
> >> >>>>>> to hold it up which allows the transport to function and gives the
> >> >>>>>> tech
> >> >>>>>> full access to the transport mechanism. The modified cassette shell
> >> >>>>>> certainly makes sense for routine cleaning by non-techies.
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> Cheers,
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> Corey
> >> >>>>>> Corey Bailey Audio Engineering
> >> >>>>>> www.baileyzone.net
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> On 7/19/2017 9:35 PM, Tim Gillett wrote:
> >> >>>>>>
> >> >>>>>> Attached photo. Nothing fancy in looks but a tool that works.
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> In the Tascam I think both reels also need to be turning to avoid
> >> >>>>>>> activating "Stop" so I retained the hubs and tape, but with a
> >> smaller
> >> >>>>>>> diameter pack to avoid fouling when cleaning the parts. It makes
> >> >>>>>>> things
> >> >>>>>>> easier on various other cassette machines too, especially later
> >> >>>>>>> models
> >> >>>>>>> which only go into play mode when a cassette is inserted.
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> I first made a few of these in the 90's when a Talking Book
> >> >>>>>>> production
> >> >>>>>>> organisation I worked for bought new Tascam 122 MkIII's and the
> >> staff
> >> >>>>>>> struggled to perform daily tape path cleaning. Of course I
> >> regularly
> >> >>>>>>> use
> >> >>>>>>> the tool myself.
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> Hope it helps.
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> Cheers
> >> >>>>>>> Tim
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> Perth,
> >> >>>>>>> Western Australia
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shai Drori" <
> >> [log in to unmask]
> >> >>>>>>> >
> >> >>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 11:59 AM
> >> >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> Please upload the picture. Sounds interesting.
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> בברכה,
> >> >>>>>>> ×©× ×“×¨×•×¨×.
> >> >>>>>>> ×××××—×”
> ×ש×××ור
> ×ד××’’××צ××” À ×©× × ×די×
> >> ×××“× × • ×פ××× 8-35×5מ×
> >>
> >> >>>>>>> Cheers
> >> >>>>>>> Shai Drori
> >> >>>>>>> Expert digitization services for Audio Video
> >> >>>>>>> Hi Res scanning for film 8mm-35mm
> >> >>>>>>> Timeless Recordings Music Label
> >> >>>>>>> www.audiovideofilm.com
> >> >>>>>>> [log in to unmask]
> >> >>>>>>> Tripadvisor level 5 contributor, level 10 restaurant expert
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 4:12 AM, Tim Gillett
> >> >>>>>>> <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>>>>> wrote:
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>> Hi Ben,
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> There are no belts in that machine, one reel drive idler rubber
> >> tyre
> >> >>>>>>>> and
> >> >>>>>>>> of course a rubber pinch roller. They're usually reliable
> >> machines
> >> >>>>>>>> but
> >> >>>>>>>> are
> >> >>>>>>>> getting old and may have had a lot of work.
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> The tape path needs regular cleaning or tapes may be damaged or
> >> jam
> >> >>>>>>>> inside. Cleaning the capstan and pinch roller is a lot easier
> >> with a
> >> >>>>>>>> custom
> >> >>>>>>>> dummy cassette to trick the capstan motor to run and engage the
> >> >>>>>>>> pinch
> >> >>>>>>>> roller in play mode for cleaning. I can upload a photo of a dummy
> >> >>>>>>>> cassette
> >> >>>>>>>> if that would help.
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> I service these but unfortunately am in Australia... It may also
> >> >>>>>>>> need
> >> >>>>>>>> a
> >> >>>>>>>> skilled local serviceman to check it out.
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> Best of luck
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> Tim Gillett,
> >> >>>>>>>> Perth,
> >> >>>>>>>> Western Australia
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Fisher"
> >> >>>>>>>> <[log in to unmask]
> >> >>>>>>>> >
> >> >>>>>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >> >>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 5:27 AM
> >> >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>> Check for tight belts and good rubber tires.
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> Martin
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >> >>>>>>>>> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:
> >> >>>>>>>>> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of 6295LARGE .
> >> >>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 3:23 PM
> >> >>>>>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> >>>>>>>>> Subject: [ARSCLIST] Much Trouble with my two TASCAM 122 Mk 2s
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> Hello everybody
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> I was cut off from ARSC for about 2 months, because their email
> >> was
> >> >>>>>>>>> being
> >> >>>>>>>>> rejected by my computer for some reason.
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> I have 2 TASCAM 122 Mk 2 recorders.
> >> >>>>>>>>> They seem to have week mechanisms.
> >> >>>>>>>>> I was told I can use only high quality cassettes.
> >> >>>>>>>>> Is that how it should be?
> >> >>>>>>>>> I don't use junk, but the mechanism struggles and moans, then it
> >> >>>>>>>>> stops
> >> >>>>>>>>> or
> >> >>>>>>>>> eats the tape.
> >> >>>>>>>>> The cassettes have gotten stuck in one of them and I had to take
> >> >>>>>>>>> off
> >> >>>>>>>>> the
> >> >>>>>>>>> cover to make the mechanism give them up.
> >> >>>>>>>>> Is that how it should be? Maybe the rubber parts need to be
> >> >>>>>>>>> cleaned.
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> *Are there any service centers for TASCAM in south Florida?*
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> HELP!
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> Regards,
> >> >>>>>>>>> Ben Roth
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>> ---
> >> >>>>>>>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus
> >> software.
> >> >>>>>>>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>>>
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >>
> >> ---
> >> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> >> http://www.avg.com
> >>
> >
|