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 :)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3098.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3098.jpg.html)

Have dismantled and cleaned all the front brushed alloy panels ,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3125.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3125.jpg.html)

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 :spew:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3127.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3127.jpg.html)

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

Here are a few photos of the machine naked :eyebrows:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3123.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3123.jpg.html)
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.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3122.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3122.jpg.html)
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Both VU meter bulbs were blown :( so I needed 2 find replacments ,
Ebay Germany 2 the rescue
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221756386517?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

When the bulbs arrived it was time 2 fit them , some head scratching later :scratch: 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 :scratch: , They did not have removable bulb holders :scratch: and I could not see how they came apart :scratch: , 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
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3108.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3108.jpg.html)

and the replacements
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3128.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3128.jpg.html)

Now fitted and working :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3129.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3129.jpg.html)

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/131326513752?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT



The pinch roller is a work of art very good quality :)

Next job is 2 lubricate the capstans :scratch: 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 :eek: as and when it gets done

Cheers for now :cool:

:reel:__:reel:

[Ali Tait]

Nice one Al, looking good.

[Audio Al]

This is the kit of parts I have 2 fit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs002/IMG_3120.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs002/IMG_3120.jpg.html)

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? :eyebrows:

[DarrenHW]

Very brave indeed! :goodluck:

[Audio Al]

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

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

[Roy S]

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

:lol: 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
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3130.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3130.jpg.html)
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.Underneath the brake drums was 2 sir-clips and thrust washers
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.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3131.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3131.jpg.html)
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These removed I could then see this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3132.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3132.jpg.html)

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
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3136.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3136.jpg.html)
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The capstan motors
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3135.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3135.jpg.html)
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.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3134.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3134.jpg.html)
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Also while inside i checked all the fuzes , All ok
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3138.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3138.jpg.html)

While inside I found a voltage selector plug , It was set to 220 volts ? should it be on 240 volt for the UK ?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/bigboobs/bigboobs003/IMG_3137.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bigboobs/media/bigboobs003/IMG_3137.jpg.html)
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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 :lol:
I have visions of what I would call PoPe syndrome , Look for the white smoke :D

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.

[Audio Al]

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.

Barry , Can you do a couple of close up photos of the wheels ?

And both sides of the new wheels