Take Up Reel?

oconnorweb

oconnorweb

Active Member
I got what is probably a dumb question but I looked around the forum and couldn't find the answer.

I just added my first R2R. It's a Teac A6300. It came with a black metal Revov reel. I like the look of the classic brushed aluminum reels. I also need recording tape.

I have spotted on eBay some maxwell UD tape with 10 inch metal reels. Now the question. Can one of those reels act as a take up reel? Does a take up reel act differently or look different than a metal reel you get with tape?

Pardon my ignorance and thanks for your help.
 
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Yes of course. No difference. You will also be able to sell the black revox one for some pretty good coin. People love colored reels.
 
You want to use 10.5 supply(w tape) with 10.5 take-up and 7" with 7", not mixing sizes...there are a few decks that have a tension control to allow mixed sizes but the 6300 isnt one of them.
 
If you buy that UD tape with 10 inch metal reel you need to use a 10 inch empty plastic reel or your ReVox metal reel on the right side. That's the take up reel.
When you finished listening (recording) side 1 you flip the 2 reels. This way the UD becomes the empty reel on the right side and it acts as the take up reel for side 2.
 
As stated use the same size take up as the supply reel.

I would not mix plastic and metal reels as they are different thicknesses and that means you need to use the rubber sheets under the metal reels so that the tape can pack in the center of the opening.

I have my machine set to use metal reels only having readjusted the reel tables for this. The Pioneer RT-909 has the ability to adjust the reel table height by turning the screw at the top of the reel table. I don't know how the A-6300 works. Maybe the manual addresses this.

I know the Teac TZ-612 NAB adapters have the adjustment built in. Remove the metal base of the adapter for plastic reels and install it for metal reels.

You will find that your take up reel changes when you play only one side of a tape. For this reason I have a couple different empty reels so that the deck usually has matched reels on it. The supply reel feeds an identical take up reel and then that reel once played goes back in the box. The now empty supply reel is the new empty reel. But you do not have to have visually matching reels on the machine and if you understand the difference in the thickness of the metal vs. plastic reels, you can mix those to as long as you have the tape pack in the middle of the reel. Don't want a tape to scrape on the reel as it plays.
 
Download the user manual and service manual from hifiengine (or pm me).

Manual states to use same size reels/same material. I've haven't had any issues mixing 7 inch metal and plastic reels. All my 10 inch reels a metal so I haven't tested that. The manual will answer alot of questions about operating/recording with this deck.

To adjust the reel table height, the side panels must be removed to expose 2 4mm set screws. The service manual has all the details.

Try to stay away from the "Meister" 7in reels as they are thinner than other reels and may not mount securely (they won't on my A6300). I have had no issues with other brands.

My deck is calibrated for Maxell UD which sounds great, but RMGI LPR35 sounds just as good. I can't justify spending more $$$ on old tape when new can be had for less (sometimes). I haven't tried Scotch 207, BASF, TDK, or any Ampex yet. Check out the Reel to Reel forum on tapeheads.net - the Blank Tape subforum has alot of usefull info.

Good luck with your new deck - I hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying mine. Just be prepared to feed the monster!
 
You should sell your black reel - that will give you enough to buy a proper TEAC take-up reel and have money left over! 6300 is a great machine, BTW.
 
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