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Splicing/Repairing Tapes

J

JeremyAndrews

How does one splice/repair a busted tape without the tape flying off the wheel? EVERYTIME I try fixing a broken tape, I wind up having to throw the tape in the trash the tape is too hard to keep steady without it falling off the wheel and out of place.

Tonight I out of my amazement fixed a tape using elmers glue and my hands. It was one of the NEW Maxell tapes and when I put it in the player the tape fell off the wheel and wound up getting jammed in the area where the wheels get turned by the tape player. The tape was very cooperative in staying on the wheel while the glue job was being done between the 2 parts where the tape got torn apart. I'm copying it onto another tape (TDK) because its very fragile. I started what will be a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG process of copying my almost 1000 aircheck tapes to MP3. I felt like quitting and saying "To heck with this" earlier today. I guess this tape getting busted was a wake up call for me to keep at the MP3 copying.

Any ideas for future emergencies with other tape types?<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> How does one splice/repair a busted tape without the tape
> flying off the wheel? EVERYTIME I try fixing a broken tape,
> I wind up having to throw the tape in the trash the tape is
> too hard to keep steady without it falling off the wheel and
> out of place.
>
> Tonight I out of my amazement fixed a tape using elmers glue
> and my hands. It was one of the NEW Maxell tapes and when I
> put it in the player the tape fell off the wheel and wound
> up getting jammed in the area where the wheels get turned by
> the tape player. The tape was very cooperative in staying on
> the wheel while the glue job was being done between the 2
> parts where the tape got torn apart. I'm copying it onto
> another tape (TDK) because its very fragile. I started what
> will be a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG process of copying
> my almost 1000 aircheck tapes to MP3. I felt like quitting
> and saying "To heck with this" earlier today. I guess this
> tape getting busted was a wake up call for me to keep at the
> MP3 copying.
>
> Any ideas for future emergencies with other tape types?
>

Steadiness my friend, steady!

AND---

One, hope to god it doesn't happen to a newer TDK tape (or any other brand) without the screws holding the case together.

Two, try using a carefully cut strip of scotch tape and very, very steady hands.

I have done it with scotch tape once or twice but it was a long time ago when I had a set of steadier hands. I haven't had a tape break in so long I don't know if I could even do it now.

Did I mention keeping a steady hand?
 
> > How does one splice/repair a busted tape without the tape
> > flying off the wheel? EVERYTIME I try fixing a broken
> tape,
> > I wind up having to throw the tape in the trash the tape
> is
> > too hard to keep steady without it falling off the wheel
> and
> > out of place.
> >
> > Tonight I out of my amazement fixed a tape using elmers
> glue
> > and my hands. It was one of the NEW Maxell tapes and when
> I
> > put it in the player the tape fell off the wheel and wound
>
> > up getting jammed in the area where the wheels get turned
> by
> > the tape player. The tape was very cooperative in staying
> on
> > the wheel while the glue job was being done between the 2
> > parts where the tape got torn apart. I'm copying it onto
> > another tape (TDK) because its very fragile. I started
> what
> > will be a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG process of copying
>
> > my almost 1000 aircheck tapes to MP3. I felt like quitting
>
> > and saying "To heck with this" earlier today. I guess this
>
> > tape getting busted was a wake up call for me to keep at
> the
> > MP3 copying.
> >
> > Any ideas for future emergencies with other tape types?
> >
>
> Steadiness my friend, steady!
>
> AND---
>
> One, hope to god it doesn't happen to a newer TDK tape (or
> any other brand) without the screws holding the case
> together.
>
> Two, try using a carefully cut strip of scotch tape and
> very, very steady hands.
>
> I have done it with scotch tape once or twice but it was a
> long time ago when I had a set of steadier hands. I haven't
> had a tape break in so long I don't know if I could even do
> it now.
>
> Did I mention keeping a steady hand?
>
I have 20-25 year old Ampex tapes that squeal like a pig when they play, so I've had to transplant them to a new housing to get at least one more play out of them as I transfer to CD. I'll use a new Maxell case, and hope for the best. Sometimes adjusting the housing screw tension works, sometimes banging the case hard works, and sometimes nothing works. I've only lost one tape during a transplant, and it was given a proper burial.

Are you trying to repair cassettes or reels? For one more cassette play, use a piece of invisible scotch tape on one side only, and make sure you trim it well. You don't want the tape going over the heads. Good luck!<P ID="signature">______________

Co/Moderator: New York,Miami,Airchecks,Classic Radio and Where Are They Now?</P>
 
> > How does one splice/repair a busted tape without the tape
> > flying off the wheel? EVERYTIME I try fixing a broken
> tape,
> > I wind up having to throw the tape in the trash the tape
> is
> > too hard to keep steady without it falling off the wheel
> and
> > out of place.
> >
> > Tonight I out of my amazement fixed a tape using elmers
> glue
> > and my hands. It was one of the NEW Maxell tapes and when
> I
> > put it in the player the tape fell off the wheel and wound
>
> > up getting jammed in the area where the wheels get turned
> by
> > the tape player. The tape was very cooperative in staying
> on
> > the wheel while the glue job was being done between the 2
> > parts where the tape got torn apart. I'm copying it onto
> > another tape (TDK) because its very fragile. I started
> what
> > will be a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG process of copying
>
> > my almost 1000 aircheck tapes to MP3. I felt like quitting
>
> > and saying "To heck with this" earlier today. I guess this
>
> > tape getting busted was a wake up call for me to keep at
> the
> > MP3 copying.
> >
> > Any ideas for future emergencies with other tape types?
> >
>
> Steadiness my friend, steady!
>
> AND---
>
> One, hope to god it doesn't happen to a newer TDK tape (or
> any other brand) without the screws holding the case
> together.
>
> Two, try using a carefully cut strip of scotch tape and
> very, very steady hands.
>
> I have done it with scotch tape once or twice but it was a
> long time ago when I had a set of steadier hands. I haven't
> had a tape break in so long I don't know if I could even do
> it now.
>
> Did I mention keeping a steady hand?
>

Its impossible for me to keep steady. My hands shake all the time like I'm shivering. I guess I have some type of defect in that area.
<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Jeremy,

I've been there myself. Years and years ago, probably back when you were in diapers (yeah, call me an old dude), I picked up a cassette tape splicing device - I think it was from Radio Shack. Basically, you'd take each side of the broken tape, lay it across this device. There were two arms, one on each side, which would keep the tape in place. You would first use the cutting blade to slice through the overlapping sections of tape so they meet well. You would then use a spool of their scotch-like tape to repair, this tape would run across the magnetic tape, and then run the blade back over the tape edges so that the scotch tape is cut perfectly.

It's done a great job, and was a God-send. For I, like you, had the darndest time trying to repair a tape.

I'll look and see if this kind of device still exists, but if it doesn't, you probably can use something to hold down the two ends of the tape, use one side of scotch tape, and then a razor to cut along the magnetic tape (to cut the scotch to size).

John
 
Jeremy,

I was hoping that maybe I could find a pix of my Radio Shack splicing block, but haven't been successful.

Although this doesn't look anything like my unit and this talks about VHS tape, the principles were exactly the same. In Photo 8, you can see both "feet" holding the tape down on both sides so that you have your hands free to put on the tape.

Oh, and by the way, I found several websites that say NEVER use scotch tape. Apparently, it can cause a chemical reaction over time and melt. But, I have no personal experience, yet, most of my splices were with that Radio Shack splicing tape.

See http://www.theanalogdept.com/tape_splice.htm

Speaking of, there seems to be other versions of splicing blocks out there. Not certain how they work/perform, but that's what you are looking for.

Good luck,

John
 
> > > How does one splice/repair a busted tape without the
> tape
> > > flying off the wheel? EVERYTIME I try fixing a broken
> > tape,
> > > I wind up having to throw the tape in the trash the tape
>
> > is
> > > too hard to keep steady without it falling off the wheel
>
> > and
> > > out of place.
> > >
> > > Tonight I out of my amazement fixed a tape using elmers
> > glue
> > > and my hands. It was one of the NEW Maxell tapes and
> when
> > I
> > > put it in the player the tape fell off the wheel and
> wound
> >
> > > up getting jammed in the area where the wheels get
> turned
> > by
> > > the tape player. The tape was very cooperative in
> staying
> > on
> > > the wheel while the glue job was being done between the
> 2
> > > parts where the tape got torn apart. I'm copying it onto
>
> > > another tape (TDK) because its very fragile. I started
> > what
> > > will be a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG process of
> copying
> >
> > > my almost 1000 aircheck tapes to MP3. I felt like
> quitting
> >
> > > and saying "To heck with this" earlier today. I guess
> this
> >
> > > tape getting busted was a wake up call for me to keep at
>
> > the
> > > MP3 copying.
> > >
> > > Any ideas for future emergencies with other tape types?
> > >
> >
> > Steadiness my friend, steady!
> >
> > AND---
> >
> > One, hope to god it doesn't happen to a newer TDK tape (or
>
> > any other brand) without the screws holding the case
> > together.
> >
> > Two, try using a carefully cut strip of scotch tape and
> > very, very steady hands.
> >
> > I have done it with scotch tape once or twice but it was a
>
> > long time ago when I had a set of steadier hands. I
> haven't
> > had a tape break in so long I don't know if I could even
> do
> > it now.
> >
> > Did I mention keeping a steady hand?
> >
> I have 20-25 year old Ampex tapes that squeal like a pig
> when they play, so I've had to transplant them to a new
> housing to get at least one more play out of them as I
> transfer to CD. I'll use a new Maxell case, and hope for the
> best. Sometimes adjusting the housing screw tension works,
> sometimes banging the case hard works, and sometimes nothing
> works. I've only lost one tape during a transplant, and it
> was given a proper burial.
>
> Are you trying to repair cassettes or reels? For one more
> cassette play, use a piece of invisible scotch tape on one
> side only, and make sure you trim it well. You don't want
> the tape going over the heads. Good luck!
>

I'm not sure what you mean by 'wheel' but I take it you're trying to repair a cassette.

Editall splicing blocks were standard equipment in radio and recording studios for years for splicing reel-to-reel, together with the special splicing tape. I see they now have them for cassettes. Makes it real simple.

http://www.tapecenter.com/tapecare.html

Cheers,

O.L.
 
> Jeremy,
>
> I was hoping that maybe I could find a pix of my Radio Shack
> splicing block, but haven't been successful.
>
> Although this doesn't look anything like my unit and this
> talks about VHS tape, the principles were exactly the same.
> In Photo 8, you can see both "feet" holding the tape down on
> both sides so that you have your hands free to put on the
> tape.
>
> Oh, and by the way, I found several websites that say NEVER
> use scotch tape. Apparently, it can cause a chemical
> reaction over time and melt. But, I have no personal
> experience, yet, most of my splices were with that Radio
> Shack splicing tape.
>
> See http://www.theanalogdept.com/tape_splice.htm
>
> Speaking of, there seems to be other versions of splicing
> blocks out there. Not certain how they work/perform, but
> that's what you are looking for.
>
> Good luck,
>
> John
>

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. As for scotch tape, the only other successful tape splice was done with scotch tape with the help of someone at Radio Shack. It was back around 2000 or so I believe. I used Elmers Glue on the most recent splice and it worked very well.
<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Screwless

>
> One, hope to god it doesn't happen to a newer TDK tape (or
> any other brand) without the screws holding the case
> together.
>

I believe there was a thread on this board about "Bakeing" tapes to allow them to be spliced. I never tried that. The only time I ever got a screwless tape open was by taking the tape outside, putting it on the sidewalk and stomping on the tape to smash the shell open. Then I took the tape and put it in another shell. It amazingly worked. The shell was messed up causing the tape to jam. The new shell did the trick.

<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
I have been doing it for years and I have nearly 100% success. I always use a Bic pen. (Must be Bic, not another brand). It winds the tape with a perfect fit. I use very small strips of clear tape and then wind the tape around about two times then dub it to another tape.

It is complicated here, because I have three cats, and they love exposed cassette tapes.

> How does one splice/repair a busted tape without the tape
> flying off the wheel? EVERYTIME I try fixing a broken tape,
> I wind up having to throw the tape in the trash the tape is
> too hard to keep steady without it falling off the wheel and
> out of place.
>
> Tonight I out of my amazement fixed a tape using elmers glue
> and my hands. It was one of the NEW Maxell tapes and when I
> put it in the player the tape fell off the wheel and wound
> up getting jammed in the area where the wheels get turned by
> the tape player. The tape was very cooperative in staying on
> the wheel while the glue job was being done between the 2
> parts where the tape got torn apart. I'm copying it onto
> another tape (TDK) because its very fragile. I started what
> will be a LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG process of copying
> my almost 1000 aircheck tapes to MP3. I felt like quitting
> and saying "To heck with this" earlier today. I guess this
> tape getting busted was a wake up call for me to keep at the
> MP3 copying.
>
> Any ideas for future emergencies with other tape types?
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
I do use Scotch Tape but only to hold it together for that one dub, then I use the old cassette for parts. I have a shoe box of parts. The clear tape never touches the tape head.


> Oh, and by the way, I found several websites that say NEVER
> use scotch tape. Apparently, it can cause a chemical
> reaction over time and melt. But, I have no personal
> experience, yet, most of my splices were with that Radio
> Shack splicing tape.
>
> See http://www. <P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
The screws started being added around 1981 or so. Before that oy vey. I have had to fix older tapes by breaking them open with a screw driver. Kind of like cracking a walnut. Then I took the exposed tape and put the tape in another shell that can screw together. I dubbed it once then it went into the spare parts shoe box. The shell can be reused for the next broken pre-1981 cassette.

> Steadiness my friend, steady!
>
> AND---
>
> One, hope to god it doesn't happen to a newer TDK tape (or
> any other brand) without the screws holding the case
> together.
>
> Two, try using a carefully cut strip of scotch tape and
> very, very steady hands.
>
> I have done it with scotch tape once or twice but it was a
> long time ago when I had a set of steadier hands. I haven't
> had a tape break in so long I don't know if I could even do
> it now.
>
> Did I mention keeping a steady hand?
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
I would ammend that to never use the broken tape after you play it through once and dub it. I think, if it breaks once, it will break again. If clear tape is used to repair it, there will not be a chemical reaction in the span of one play.


>
> Oh, and by the way, I found several websites that say NEVER
> use scotch tape. Apparently, it can cause a chemical
> reaction over time and melt. But, I have no personal
> experience, yet, most of my splices were with that Radio
> Shack splicing tape.
>
> See http://www.theanalogdept.com/tape_splice.htm
>
> Speaking of, there seems to be other versions of splicing
> blocks out there. Not certain how they work/perform, but
> that's what you are looking for.
>
> Good luck,
>
> John
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
> Jeremy,
>
> I've been there myself. Years and years ago, probably back
> when you were in diapers (yeah, call me an old dude), I
> picked up a cassette tape splicing device - I think it was
> from Radio Shack. Basically, you'd take each side of the
> broken tape, lay it across this device. There were two
> arms, one on each side, which would keep the tape in place.
> You would first use the cutting blade to slice through the
> overlapping sections of tape so they meet well. You would
> then use a spool of their scotch-like tape to repair, this
> tape would run across the magnetic tape, and then run the
> blade back over the tape edges so that the scotch tape is
> cut perfectly.

It's called a splicing block. Might be hard to find one these days given that tapes are rapidly falling out of favor.

BTW: don't use scotch tape if you plan to keep the tape...the adhesive bleeds out the sides after a while and tape layers stick to themselves. There is a special splicing tape made...should still be available with some searching.
 
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