AKAI GX-635D rebuild , step by step , HELP WILL BE REQUIRED

[Audio Al]

Hello all
I have taken a brave pill and decided 2 have a go at referbing the R2R machine

Have dismantled and cleaned all the front brushed alloy panels ,


I washed them in a washing up bowl of mild detergent , The muck that came off turned the water 2 a mild gravy colour

and when wiping dry the panels this is what was still on them


I assume the original owner was a smoker , God imagine what smokers lungs look like

Here are a few photos of the machine naked

.
.
.
.
.
Both VU meter bulbs were blown so I needed 2 find replacments ,
Ebay Germany 2 the rescue
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2217563865...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

When the bulbs arrived it was time 2 fit them , some head scratching later after getting access 2 the two VU meters I could not see how I could fit the bulbs ? The VU meters were soldered 2 the PCB , They did not have removable bulb holders and I could not see how they came apart , Had a look on the web ,no help , I was just about 2 give up when I noticed a slightly different colour strip running across the meter front cover and I could feel a very slight ridge , It turned out the VU meters were held together with sellotape , after picking at it I managed 2 remove it and get access 2 the bulbs

These are the two blown festoon type bulbs


and the replacements


Now fitted and working


I also have a bottle of capstan oil , replacement counter belt and a new pinch roller , again ebay Germany

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1313265137...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT



The pinch roller is a work of art very good quality

Next job is 2 lubricate the capstans HELP , any ideas how this is done
Then clean the tape heads , Having read up it would seen these heads are glass , is it OK 2 use Isopropanol on glass heads ?

One other item the needs attention id the tape counter its stiff and gritty and reluctant 2 return 2 zero , any advice on cleaning and lubing ( if it needs lube ? ) or cleaning and drying ?

I will update this thread with progress / lack of progress as and when it gets done

Cheers for now

__

[Ali Tait]

Nice one Al, looking good.

[Audio Al]

This is the kit of parts I have 2 fit


The old counter belt is on the left , you cans see it is bigger / streched

[Roy S]

Don't fancy having a go at my GX625 after do you Al?

[DarrenHW]

Very brave indeed!

[Audio Al]

Don't fancy having a go at my GX625 after do you Al?

Maybe Roy , I need 2 see how I get on with this one first
I have visions of what I would call PoPe syndrome , Look for the white smoke

[Roy S]

Maybe Roy , I need 2 see how I get on with this one first
I have visions of what I would call PoPe syndrome , Look for the white smoke

Don't think there are any belts in it, direct drive I believe but it is poorly...

[Audio Al]

Some more progress

Managed 2 remove the brake drums , had 2 remove the front top panel of the case then spotted two screws holding on each brake drum

.
.Underneath the brake drums was 2 sir-clips and thrust washers
.
.
.
.
.
These removed I could then see this


It looks like the bearings are sintered bronze , hence the special oil that comes in the kit . I was the able 2 remove the capstan rotors
for cleaning and re lubricating

.
.
.
The capstan motors

.
.
.
.
.
Also while inside i checked all the fuzes , All ok


While inside I found a voltage selector plug , It was set to 220 volts ? should it be on 240 volt for the UK ?

.
.
Will clean and lube these parts and re assemble this part before I forget where and how it goes back together

[Firebottle]

While inside I found a voltage selector plug , It was set to 220 volts ? should it be on 240 volt for the UK ?

Excellent Al.
Yes it should be 240V for the UK, whenever I check the mains it's always about 245V.

[Barry]

Maybe Roy , I need 2 see how I get on with this one first
I have visions of what I would call PoPe syndrome , Look for the white smoke

Do you fancy having a go at replacing the idler wheels on my Ferrograph 632 tape machine? The originals (there are three of them; one for each speed) have perished. I have replacements but cannot see how to fit them.