Date   : Mon, 27 Apr 2020 16:02:42 +0100
From   : lug@... (Rob Malpass)
Subject: Rescuing cassette tapes

Thanks all

The major issue I'm having is mechanical.   The spools inside the cassette 
(which as has been said is a compact cassette so not suitable for 1960s reel
to reel machines) are stuck fast.   No pencil, no fast forward is shifting
them - well apart from the 10s I managed then they lock up.

The only thing I can think of is crack the tape open - but that means I'm
going to struggle to play them again!

Cheers
R

-----Original Message-----
From: bbc-micro-bounces+lug=getiton.myzen.co.uk@... <bbc-micro-bounces+lug=getiton.myzen.co.uk
at lists.cloud9.co.uk> On Behalf Of Adam Sampson
Sent: 27 April 2020 13:46
To: 'BBC micro mailing list' <bbc-micro@...>
Subject: Re: [BBC-Micro] Rescuing cassette tapes

"Rob Malpass" <lug@...> writes:

> What I?d really like is some sort of reel to reel device which plays 
> standard cassettes which allowed me to easily fix (by cracking the 
> tape open and just taking the spools) any problems.

I digitised all the tapes I had a few years ago. For cassettes where the 
shell had warped/cracked or the pressure pad had disintegrated, I moved the
spools into a good-quality screwed-together blank cassette shell, by sliding
the spools out of the old shell onto a piece of card.

As Michael suggested, I'd always wind a tape from end to end before playing 
so it's packed evenly on the spools. If you have a dodgy tape, a decent hifi
tape deck (with fresh drive belts) will give you better results and less
risk of damage to the tape than a cheap mechanical player.

Thanks,

-- 
Adam Sampson <ats@...      >                         <http://offog.org/>

_______________________________________________
bbc-micro mailing list
bbc-micro@...               
http://lists.cloud9.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/bbc-micro