FabGadget
New Member
So I picked up this machine since it had the rarity (at least in the vintage audio field) of free shipping and the seller accepting returns. However, it appears to be having the same issue as another X2000 posted to Reddit recently. Several commenters there suggested that the pinch roller was likely not engaging with the capstan, though there was no follow-up from the OP to update on whether a cause/solution was determined. I've tested mine with both 3.75ips and 7.5ips tapes, and it is far too fast even in the 'LOW' speed setting. I tested an 8-track, and it played fine at 3.75ips (aside from some very slight speed wobbliness—hopefully something fixed after I do a little more general servicing and not an omen of further problems after the reel speed is solved?), so I don't think the main motor is at fault.
With my machine, the pinch roller is definitely engaging the capstan, though I'm guessing with insufficient pressure, but the internal mechanism for the roller appears to be pressed forward as far as possible and doesn't seem to be at all stuck or sluggish. Putting pressure on the feeder reel can slow it down to around the right speed, though it does cause the internal mechanism behind the uptake reel to sound a little strained (maybe simply because resistance pressure is being applied the wrong way?). That said, I am noticing that both the other machine in the linked video and my own appear to be missing a removable capstan sleeve or bushing piece, one which would definitely put a lot more pressure between itself and the pinch roller.
At first I thought only the 15ips adaptor used a separate capstan sleeve, but page 12 of the manual (and other photos/videos online) indicates the other two slower speeds are also supposed to have a sleeve mounted on the capstan. I don't have any other video/photos at the moment (can add more later if helpful), but assuming everything looks/sounds the same as the linked video, would simply acquiring a replacement part like this solve the problem? Likewise, is there a way to tell if I somehow have the smaller 15ips adapter roller instead of the regular one?
I tried adjusting both the rear and front frequency selectors, but both 50Hz and 60Hz are playing much too fast. More worryingly, the manual indicates that this machine should be able to do 1-7/8ips by having it set up exactly as it is now—with just the bare capstan and no sleeve mounted to it, which is currently playing at speeds that even at the lowest setting are far too fast for 7.5ips, let alone 1-7/8, so if anything it it seems like it should be going too slow for my reels without the capstan piece. I've already tried giving a wee gentle sanding to the pinch roller and some Rubber Renue treatment, but it has resulted in no noticeable improvement. Is it possible that 1-7/8ips is simply no longer achievable for this particular machine, but that finding a capstan sleeve would still provide sufficient pressure with the pinch roller to correctly control the tape for other speeds even if the bare capstan is not achieving this? If it is junk (or needing an inordinate amount of time/work), I'd rather just return it than waste more time with it, but I still feel like it's a neat, unique little piece of history that otherwise seems functional and would like to know if shelling out for a replacement sleeve (or some other likely solution) could be a simple solution. Any suggestions?
With my machine, the pinch roller is definitely engaging the capstan, though I'm guessing with insufficient pressure, but the internal mechanism for the roller appears to be pressed forward as far as possible and doesn't seem to be at all stuck or sluggish. Putting pressure on the feeder reel can slow it down to around the right speed, though it does cause the internal mechanism behind the uptake reel to sound a little strained (maybe simply because resistance pressure is being applied the wrong way?). That said, I am noticing that both the other machine in the linked video and my own appear to be missing a removable capstan sleeve or bushing piece, one which would definitely put a lot more pressure between itself and the pinch roller.
At first I thought only the 15ips adaptor used a separate capstan sleeve, but page 12 of the manual (and other photos/videos online) indicates the other two slower speeds are also supposed to have a sleeve mounted on the capstan. I don't have any other video/photos at the moment (can add more later if helpful), but assuming everything looks/sounds the same as the linked video, would simply acquiring a replacement part like this solve the problem? Likewise, is there a way to tell if I somehow have the smaller 15ips adapter roller instead of the regular one?
I tried adjusting both the rear and front frequency selectors, but both 50Hz and 60Hz are playing much too fast. More worryingly, the manual indicates that this machine should be able to do 1-7/8ips by having it set up exactly as it is now—with just the bare capstan and no sleeve mounted to it, which is currently playing at speeds that even at the lowest setting are far too fast for 7.5ips, let alone 1-7/8, so if anything it it seems like it should be going too slow for my reels without the capstan piece. I've already tried giving a wee gentle sanding to the pinch roller and some Rubber Renue treatment, but it has resulted in no noticeable improvement. Is it possible that 1-7/8ips is simply no longer achievable for this particular machine, but that finding a capstan sleeve would still provide sufficient pressure with the pinch roller to correctly control the tape for other speeds even if the bare capstan is not achieving this? If it is junk (or needing an inordinate amount of time/work), I'd rather just return it than waste more time with it, but I still feel like it's a neat, unique little piece of history that otherwise seems functional and would like to know if shelling out for a replacement sleeve (or some other likely solution) could be a simple solution. Any suggestions?