What's the easiest cassette deck to rebelt?

Wigwam Jones

Wigwam Jones

Caesar non supra grammati
Just curious. Given that most cassette decks need new belts at this point, and that there are many good vintage decks out there for very little money, and that replacement belts are available for most of them, the thought occurred to me that one of the criteria for selecting a deck might be how easy it is to replace the belts.

I am struggling with my own Teac V-1RX at the moment. The instructions say it is dead easy - two screws and lift the unit out - but I can't get at the blessed things, and I'm making a mess of it. I thought maybe I'd set that aside for the moment and ask what those who repair these things more often think? What are the easy units, what are the harder ones?

Thanks!
 
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I would visit tapeheads.net Wigwam....those guys know everything about tape decks and are pretty friendly to boot....I have only changed one belt and it was a PITA and then the cassette deck had other prorblems. I think in general terms one usually removes the tape mechanism from the chassis, but of course each deck is a different story...
 
icenine said:
I would visit tapeheads.net Wigwam....those guys know everything about tape decks and are pretty friendly to boot....I have only changed one belt and it was a PITA and then the cassette deck had other prorblems. I think in general terms one usually removes the tape mechanism from the chassis, but of course each deck is a different story...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll do that. Seems most of the folks there are also here...:D

You would think that the engineers who designed the old tape machines would have given some thought to the eventual need to replace belts and whatnot and made it somewhat simpler. Like back in the day, you could replace your own danged spark plugs on your car. Now? I've been told that heard my mechanic speak of cars that have to have a fender removed and the motor mounts removed so the engine can be raised several inches in the air to change two of the plugs on one bank. Oh, freakin' joy.

:thmbsp:
 
Harman Kardon TD292.
Great sounding/recording two head deck.
Can be had for under $40.
The only problem may be the meter segments may not fully light up.

Lots of room to work with.
Remove one screw and back plate swings out to allow replacing both belts.
 
terra1 said:
Harman Kardon TD292.
Great sounding/recording two head deck.
Can be had for under $40.
The only problem may be the meter segments may not fully light up.

Lots of room to work with.
Remove one screw and back plate swings out to allow replacing both belts.
Click to expand...

Sounds simple, thanks!
 
Here are some pics.
I cheated and just used rubber bands.
Harman Kardon TD292

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