We have had problems with tape on this same type of reel - it appears there is a kind of adhesive that holds the metal clips in, and it causes some chemical _eating_ of the tape surface on those spots, from the hub outwards for up to an inch. Many years ago I went through our 7-inch reels of tape to find all those solid reels with the metal clips, and I transferred the tapes to new reels, and ditched the old reels with metal clips. Many of those tapes have now been transferred, so any further deterioration by residue will not affect the preservation copies. Sue Susan T Stinson, Curator Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive Syracuse University Library 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 315-443-3477 / fax 443-4866 >>> [log in to unmask] 09/14/05 5:58 PM >>> I just transferred a reel of acetate tape that had been stored on a Scotch/3M auto-threading reel. It has solid sides (no windows) and three springy clips in the walls near the hubs. From the outside, the clips are chrome-ish. From the inside they are green. There was some starting of blocking (layer-to-layer adhesion) of the wraps of tape near the hub. There was no significant vinegar smell. The tape/reel had been stored at approx. 21C 43%RH with limited swings for the last year, prior to that I don't know, but I think it had been in climate controlled storage. I suspect this odd reel is not allowing the centre of the tape back to breathe much and concentrating whatever outgassing of the tape pack. Also, another very loose tape pack on the outside (not in the centre). I'm not sure what this means, but I would think this supports the need to at least examine the acetate tapes in your collection and also look especially if you have this reel. Cheers, Richard Richard L. Hess email: [log in to unmask] Vignettes Media web: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/ Aurora, Ontario, Canada (905) 713 6733 1-877-TAPE-FIX Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm