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Thanks, Jeff.  That seems really clear.  I am going to do this.

Best,
John

On Sun, Jul 23, 2017 at 1:20 AM, Jeff Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> 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.
>> >> >>>>>>>
>> >> >>>>>>> בברכ׆,
>> >> >>>>>>> ש×™ דר×â•×¨×™.
>> >> >>>>>>> מומ×—ח׆ לשימוור
>> ודי×’’יטצי׆ À  של × ×•Ã—“×™—™×•
>> >> וי×“× ×• Õ ופיל×  8-35מ5ממ
>>
>> >>
>> >> >>>>>>> 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
>> >>
>> >
>>
>