I've never dared splice DAT tape. With a broken tape I will trim the broken
end and then attach it to an empty spool and then replace it in the
housing. If I need to play both sections of the tape, I will transplant the
other section to a new housing (I still have a small stock of unused DAT
tapes that I can use for this).

On Fri, 30 Oct 2020 at 22:57, Tim Gillett <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> A trick I sometimes use with baking cassette tapes is to loosen or remove
> the case screws then hold the case halves apart  by inserting a few wooden
> match ends. It allows the humidity to clear better but affords some
> protection for the tape pack from dust and dirt.   Tim------- Original
> Message ----------
>
> I had to open the shell anyway - it will be interesting putting it
> back together! Had to be opened to allow me to get to the tape as it
> had stuck to it self inside the shell so I had no choice I will er on
> the side of caution and bake in a open shell. As the tape ripped
> across a 4 inch section I will have to cut that out and rejoin. I will
> manually wind past the splice a few turns before attempting to play
> again so hopefully it will never have to come into contact with the
> head. The tape is a full movie score, an edited version having already
> been issued on CD (which as luck would have it was my remaster). I'm
> keeping my fingers crossed that the damaged section is part of the
> released version! Thanks for all your advice. Richard On Fri, 30 Oct
> 2020, 21:30 Dave Radlauer, [log in to unmask] wrote: Fascinating
> thread. Keep in mind that U-matic are at least, what, three or four
> times the width of DAT. And, I suspect, much thicker. So the wider
> bakes longer rule applies. But U-matics could also contain as little
> as 2:00 minutes worth of tape for mass distribution of commercial
> spots for instance. DAT is extremely thin tape and pretty wispy and
> easy to lose wrap once removed from the shell. Perhaps our colleagues
> might share any experience with this? What about drilling ventilation
> in the old shell for baking, then transferring to a working shell for
> playback. Dave R On Fri, Oct 30, 2020 at 12:48 PM Haudy Kazemi
> [log in to unmask] wrote: This article
> says there are several different causes for the problem, and not all
> tapes are affected equally, due to manufacturing differences. It also
> says cased U-matic tapes don't bake as effectively as uncased tapes.
> I'd guess that uncased would dry best, if you can safely uncase it. If
> not, perhaps longer drying times will help.
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky-shed_syndrome I've not tried
> splicing videotape, only audiotape, but I assume the methods are
> similar. If the tape broke close to the beginning of the reel, you
> could add extra 'filler' tape to create new leaders. I don't know if
> there are good options for recovering content from wrinkled tape.
> Pyral is a French brand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyral Thanks,
> Haudy Kazemi On Fri, Oct 30, 2020, 14:10 Mint Records
> [log in to unmask] wrote: Thanks Graham. Will give it a try -
> its currently unplayable, so don't think I have much to lose. Best
> baked out of it the shell or in do you think? Richard On Fri, 30 Oct
> 2020, 18:41 Graham Newton, [log in to unmask] wrote: On
> 10/30/2020 10:10 AM, Mint Records wrote: Came across an oddity this
> morning. I've been transferring some DAT Tapes when all o f a sudden
> one snapped. It's a brand i'd never come across before called "PYRAL".
> On taking aprt the shell it's clear that the tape is stuck together -
> The original break was a tear across rather than a snap and when i
> tried to loosen the tape on the reel, more started to tear. PYRAL is a
> well known French trademark... they used to make very good lacquer
> disc recording blanks. It has the appearance of sticky shed, but i've
> never come across this in a DAT before. Very rare, indeed.... I've
> only come across one like the problem you describe. Has anyone else
> come across this? Can the tape be baked? If so, for how long. Yes, it
> can be baked like regular reel to reel tape, use low baking
> temperature (120 degrees F) and long time (48 to 72 hours), and be
> sure it has fully returned to room temperature before you try to do
> anything with it. You may need to bake it a second time at slightly
> higher temperature, say 125 degrees F. Some cautious experimentation
> with it may be needed. Hope this helps! ... Graham Newton -- Audio
> Restoration by Graham Newton, http://www.audio-restoration.com World
> class professional services applied to tape or phonograph records for
> consumers and re-releases, featuring CEDAR's CAMBRIDGE processes. --
> cell and text# 510-717-5240 www.JAZZHOTBigstep.com
>


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