Otari MX5050 Capstan oil...?

[miroslav]

My Otari manual mentions that the capstan utilizes an Oilite bearing at the front end, which requires lubrication.

It says..."Use only Otari oil P/N PZ9E003"

There is a cup w/felt pad under the capstan dust cap...and while the manual doesn't say when or how much oil to use...I've seem mention on other websites that 2-3 drops/1000 hours of use.

Anyone here know what this oil really is...what is the generic type and where it can be purchased other than through Otari, which is harder these days?
I put an email in to AheadTek (the only official, current Otari distributor)...and I still have not heard back.

I just wanted to get some while Otari decks are still somewhat "current" in the open reel market.

Thanks
Miroslav

[Ki Choi]

If you have access to light synthetic motor oil (Mobile One), it works well.  It would be good to put few drops around the capstan shaft/oiled bushing and soak the felt washer but not so much that it would drip.

Ki

[miroslav]

Hmmmm...light synthetic motor oil....
5W...10W...?

If that's a good alternative to the recommeded Otari PZ9E003, then I don't have to worry about it being available down the road.

[Ki Choi]

5W worked well for me.  Besides, once you oil it properly, it should last you a long time.

Ki

[astrotoy]

Thanks, Ki.  Can one do the lubrication from the front, without taking apart anything?   Looks like a quart of Mobil One should provide a lifetime supply of capstan oil. By lifetime, I mean the lifetime of the earth. :-)  Larry

[miroslav]

I didn't think it needed lubrication too often...though I found in the manual where they say every 3-6 months and someone else said every 1000 hrs...but I just wanted to have some on hand.


Larry

On my BIII, the manual says you have to remove the pinch roller, the head cover, the right side tape guide next to the pinch roller and finally the "Rear Head Escutcheon" (fancy term for the back cover around the head block)...and then you can finally pull of the Capstan dust cap and place 2-3 drops on the felt collar inside...I guess just to make it wet, but not dripping.

[Studer Fool]

Try the folks at MDI Precision Motorworks.  They have the oil 1/2 oz. vial for Otari at $10.75.
see: http://www.precisionmotorworks.com/shop/enter.html?lmd=39899.101007

BTW fellow tape project enthusiasts, thats also where I got the Studer oil I needed for my A80.  Shipping was a little pricey though.  It was worth it to have - it should last so long probably will never need another vial of it.

-cdw

[miroslav]

Thanks...I'll have to check out that site.
What did it cost for shipping on a small vile of oil?

So...how many drops roughly in a .5 oz vile...?

Will that last for several lubes?