Vibration

[xcortes]

My Technics machine vibrates a lot when rewinding tapes. So much that I cannot push the rewind button and leave it or it would probably jump off the shelf. The level of vibration, however, seems to be tape dependant. Some tapes vibrate much more than others. My guess is that the center od the reels on the offender tapes is far from being a perfect circle and that naturally causes the vibration.

Experiences and opinions are, as always, appreciated.

[Ben]

I tend to have vibration only on the 10.5" reels, but then I have my R2R on a
shakey plant stand.

[ironbut]

Hey Xavier, you can minimize that vibration sometimes by rotating the flanges (doesn't always work though). I've found that the reels that vibrate the most are ones where the flanges are oriented with the triangles matching. An easy way to work on them is to put a piece of tape over the barrel bolts and run the end out over the hub hole (I use blue easy release tape, often called painter's tape). That way the barrel bolts don't fall out as you loosen them on the other side. You will need to put a finger over the tape while you get the screws loosened but once they're loose you can lay the reel down for your rotating. Try and eyeball the hub into the center the best you can and either line up the squares or the circles. For some reason, one is always better. Then, just screw it snug, pick up the reel carefully and put your finger over the tape/barrel bolt head and tighten it (don't go crazy, this is pretty soft aluminum) and pull the tape off (this is where having the end loose over the hub hole comes in handy since you can mar the aluminum picking the tape off of the flange). Sometimes it takes a couple of tries but one you get it, you'll never have to do it again.