Otari MX 5050 Mk. I

[ironbut]

While I don't condone giving up on trying to get that Otari running right, if your motivation is to get those 8 track tapes transferred, you might look into having a professional do that for you. It sounds pretty obvious that the tapes need baking/cold playing to get some good sounding digital transfers done. There are folks all over this blue marble that do tape transfers for a living and they will almost certainly get a better transfer done than someone who's never done it or have the specialized gear and software it takes to get the best sound off of something like a sticky tape.
Of course they aren't free but even though what's on  these tapes is obviously important to you, don't let them nickel and dime you to death.
Depending on the condition of the tapes and how many hours are on them, it could easily be more cost effective to have them transfered professionally.

Here's a link to a couple of restoration/archivists;

http://www.theaudioarchive.com/
http://www.sonicraft.com/A2DX/articles.html

[neilslade]

Well, I spoke with Steve at Sonicraft- and he was extremely helpful and generous with his time in regards to my situation.

He encouraged me to get a new reel of tape and try the recorder.

Son of a gun-- it works perfectly.

One thing I will note-  the "test" for motors, grabbing the spinning hub as suggested, does not seem to be a particularly accurate
way to test. Per this method, my motors were shot. However, in use with good tape, they apparently are working 100%.

The problem all along was sticky tape, and sticky tape alone.

It was gumming up the works to the extent that the deck would not play, rewind or fast forward properly. And the shedding
was so bad, this happened even after completely and thoroughly cleaning the tape path.

Steve encouraged me to not play or rewind my old tapes a single time more without baking.

So- although he charges $125 per reel to bake and transfer, I simply don't have that kind of money at present, and not sure
when I will.  It's on to the SNACKMASTER.

The F-50 is out of production, and the new models have the fan on top- so, I trust now you put the tape on the bottom rack of the unit.

Steve told me they bake their tapes for 12 hours at 130 degrees, and then cool for the same period of time. 

I will scour this site for baking info-- but anyone with experience with recommendations here is welcome.

Thanks everyone.

Whoooopeeee!!

Neil

www.NeilSlade.com

[ironbut]

Yeah, Steve is very generous.
I'm glad you solved those issues with your machine.
There are a few threads where members have done their own baking will good success. I think if you do a search with the word "bake" you should find a few.
I believe that astrotoy bought his American Harvester food dehydrator at Beds Bath and Beyond for a really good price. I you like beef jerky, it could become a real asset to your kitchen.
There's also a few things on sticky shed in the Beginner's Guide located in a sticky above the General Forum.
Bear in mind that baking isn't a total cure. It only lasts for a while so it's a good idea to have all your ducks in a row as far as making the digital transfer.

Here's a good article on baking that Steve may have already pointed out to you.

http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html

[Tim]

Grabbing the reel hubs to get a rough, preliminary idea of proper reel torque (or proper motor function) is a legitimate test.  I've been professionally repairing tape decks for 39 years, and it's always worked for me.  Also, I told you early on that there was nothing wrong with your deck, that all your tapes were defective and that if you tried a new tape, the deck would work fine. For some reason, you chose to ignore my assessment. Steve at Sonicraft tells you the exact same thing and now it's a big Revelation?

[neilslade]

It all turned out good

1) I purchased brand new tape and put it on my machine. (Purchased a 3M tape from Tapetape on ebay for about $39)

2) The tape recorder works perfectly in all respects. This was after cleaning the sticky tension guide)

3) I successfully baked my old tape in a new Snackmaster FD-60 dehydrator (motor and fan on top).
It cost under $50 (with 20% off coupon from $59 regular price) at Bed Bath and Beyond.

A) I inserted a 1/8" inch metal shaft photographic  thermometer in a small hole drilled under the bottom tray to
accurate monitor the temperature. The Snackmaster temperature dial is off at least 15 degrees from real temperature.

B) The Snackmaster remains constant temperature over a 12 hour period.

C) I baked my tapes for 12 hours, and then let cool for 12 hours.

D) After baking, the tape worked perfectly in my Otari.


4) It appears that the suggested test for the Otari motors is not a good indication of whether the motors have sufficient power to run tape. They could not operated the old sticky tape, but were sufficiently strong to run new tape, or the old bake restored tape.


Happy ending. I got the recorder for $50.  Apparently my brain radar is in good working order.

Neil Slade
www.BrainRadar.com

[ironbut]

Good deal Neil.

Be aware that later production 3M tapes are only second to Ampex as far as being subject to sticky shed.
It may be a little more money to buy the new production tapes but at least you don't have to worry about that problem rearing it's ugly head a few years down the line.