Teac 40S playback problem

[sstange]

I recently got a Teac 40S that my father used to own. The most obvious problem that I have noticed is that it squeezes the tape out between the capstan and pinch roller. If the tape stays between the capstan and pinch roller, play back appears to be ok. I have double checked that the tape is correctly threaded over th idler arm between the capstan and take-up reel.

Is this likely a pinch roller problem? Any ideas where to start?

Also opinions on if this model is worth spending any time and money on are also welcome. I would use it primarily for the nostalgia of it. I have not tested the recording function.

Steve S.

[ironbut]

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the forum.
It's possible that it's a problem with the tape rather than the recorder. If you have other tapes around you should try them.
If a tape is in good condition, it takes some effort to make it climb over the guides that it travels through which would make it move out from under the roller. The roller/capstan is there to control the speed that the tape travels across the heads while the guides should only be "helping" to keep the tape centered on the heads. If the tape is damaged from something like improper storage or exposure to heat, it could be that it's edges are no longer straight and/or even.
It could also be that your tension arm is bent which is not uncommon with Teacs.
You should also be sure that all the guides, heads and anything else that the tape comes in contact with is spic-n-span.
Another common problem with Teacs is the pinch roller mechanism could be sticking. The grease that they used has a tendency to harden after a while and keeps the pinch roller from making good contact with the capstan. That allows the tape to shift more easily.

I'm not familiar with the 40s. Is it one of the machines with the transport and electronics in two chassis?

BTW, removing the headcover and watching how and where the trouble starts is always a good start.

[Tim]

Your deck is exhibiting "tape skew".   It's an unwanted force vector, generated at the capstan/pinch roller junction, which pushes the tape up or down within the tape path.  If minor, it will cause the tape to buckle at the top or bottom of the adjacent guides.  If major, the tape will completely exit the guide.  This is a common defect in the 40S.  There are many causes and many remedies.

Causes of skew:

-A misaligned PR (pinch roller) .  Either azimuth or zenith error will do this. There are no adjustments for this in the 40S, however.

-A defective PR: get a new one from Teac

-Polished capstan shaft: replace or get sand-blasted

-Improper right tension-arm height/zenith.

-Low back-tension (if you drag your fingers on the supply reel, you may see the skew reduce):  adjust motor resistor

-Too much take-up tension (drag your finger on the take-up reel to see if this reduces skew): adjust motor resistor

Most often, it's not just one of the above defects causing the skew, but several (and sometimes all of the above).

 

Excess skew is just one of many defects you will encounter with this deck.  It's very old and has the potential of being a real bucket of worms.