7.D. How to open an ampex/lear jet cartridge (8-track)
Description
This article is from the 8-track Tapes FAQ, by Malcolm Riviera malco@interpath.com with numerous contributions by others.
7.D. How to open an ampex/lear jet cartridge (8-track)
by Abigail Lavine
Why is it that Ampex, the absolute last word in audiotape for the
serious professional, consistently produced 8-track
cartridges with pinch rollers which turn to gummy goo? It's true.
9 out of 10 Ampex/Lear Jet cartridges have dangerous and unusable
melted rubber pinch rollers. And on top of that, the carts are
especially difficult to open in order to replace the roller. But
with a little bit of work and foresight, you can create a kit which
will make opening them oh so much easier. I learned the secrets I'm
about to share from 8-track repairman extraordinaire Joe Wally, of
Wally's Stereo Tape City (see Resources and Dealers ). The man is a
professional. Literally. He's been repairing 8-track tapes as part of
his job since before some of the people reading this were even
born. Joe Wally uses an ordinary kitchen knife, a hex screw driver or
socket set, and two specially prepared hex head screws. The first
step is to force the kitchen knife into the seam between the two
sides of the cartridge shell at the top, near where the tape is
exposed and the pinch roller is visible. Pry the two sides apart a
bit. Now turn the cartridge over, so the label is face-down and you
can see the five little holes on the back. The middle hole is
slightly larger than the others, and this is the one to attack first.
You'll need to have a hex head tapping screw which is just slightly
larger than the middle hole. When you find the correct size screw,
hacksaw the sharp end off of it. While you're at it, find a slightly
smaller screw, one that's a little bit bigger than the four smaller
holes, and saw the end off that one too. Now screw into the middle
hole until the two sides of the shell begin to separate. Move on to
the four smaller outside holes one at a time. The two sides should
spread apart. At the end, you can remove the screw in the
middle. Before you completely pull the two sides apart, BE SURE TO
TURN THE TAPE OVER ON THE TABLE SO THAT THE LABEL IS FACING UP. That
way the spool of tape inside will stay in its path. Change the pinch
roller and do whatever other repairs may be necessary. In the end,
the two sides should go back together with a little effort, or a few
raps from a mallet, or with great care in a workbench vise.
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