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Pinch rollers need cleaning and lubricating. Does anyone here recommend someone who works on reel to reel machines that is local?

I wish I had an answer for you. When I was doing recording as an extension to the hobby I had to rely on my own devices to maintain the equipment including repairing a favorite microphone.

Mineral spirits (aka. Varsol, Varnaline, etc.) and a clean lintless cloth like a cotton hankerchief, and you can clean the rubber parts with ease. You can clean the heads the same way.

Lubrication should be done with a modern silicone lubricant as silicone lubricants do not get gummy over time.

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Walt

Thanks. I think that will be my first step, I'll see if a light general cleaning/lubing is sufficient.

Long ago I used rubbing alcohol to clean my pinch roller and capstan - lubrication is an unknown to me.

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- Guy

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Walt

Yeah, what he said.... Fine for capstans & heads, but not the rubber bits....

Roscoe

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I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.

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Walt

You see, I can still learn from you people!

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- Guy

Hi Guy! I just checked where you are located. I am north of Baltimore in Parkville. I can help you out for the price of one lunch.

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Walt

The best cleaner I've found for tape heads is lacquer thinner (recommended by my tape tech), but keep it away from anything plastic. I use light synthetic oil (Anderol 465) for lubrication, but only where specified in the manuals. As for pinch rollers, I remove them from the tape decks and soak 'em in soap and water (Dawn) followed by enough rinses to get rid of the residue, followed by drying them out for a day or so. For hard cases, "Rubber Renue" can help keep pinch rollers supple but use it outdoors if you don't plan on asphyxiating yourself.

Dave P.