Sticky Cassette Tapes?

[Superduper]

I got some tapes, original pre-recorded type, that will not play -- on any machine. Almost seems like the cassette mechanism is broke. BUT other tapes play just fine.

Looking at the tapes I see nothing unusual. In fact, the spools don't bind.

Then I noticed that when just the slightest pressure is put on the tape against the felt backing, it's almost like the tape will bind and stick to the felt pad beneath it. The friction between the tape itself and the felt in enormous. No wonder the tape deck won't spin.

You guys have any insight into this and is this a hopeless situation -- toss out the tape type of thing?

 

[Fatdog]

I've never run into that exact kind of situation. However, I have had cassettes that somehow got moisture inside the housing and created a kind of sticky goo that caused the tape to not play. Have the cassettes in question be subject to extreme humidity?

 

[Superduper]

Nope. Not that I'm aware of and they look fine. No evidence of previous moisture issues anywhere but I can't say for certain that it hasn't happened since most of my pre-recorded stuff comes from the goodwills (where else?). It can't be all that uncommon though because I have several like this.

 

[redbenjoe]

i have had many brand new --blank tapes like that :annoyed: :annoyed:
--first i thought all my boxes suddenly broke :'-( :'-( :'-(

then -- i trashed the tapes --
and all was fine

 

[oldskool69]

Nope. Not that I'm aware of and they look fine. No evidence of previous moisture issues anywhere but I can't say for certain that it hasn't happened since most of my pre-recorded stuff comes from the goodwills (where else?). It can't be all that uncommon though because I have several like this.

It may be that the pressure pad coil is pushed to it flexibility limit sooner than others. I have taken the coil out and slightly bent them upwards on some tapes and that seemed to do the trick without eliminating the neccesary pressure to maintain solid contact.

 

[Superduper]

Nope. Not that I'm aware of and they look fine. No evidence of previous moisture issues anywhere but I can't say for certain that it hasn't happened since most of my pre-recorded stuff comes from the goodwills (where else?). It can't be all that uncommon though because I have several like this.

It may be that the pressure pad coil is pushed to it flexibility limit sooner than others. I have taken the coil out and slightly bent them upwards on some tapes and that seemed to do the trick without eliminating the neccesary pressure to maintain solid contact.

Pre-recorded tapes often don't have screws. Anyhow, I'm sure it wasn't like that when new so either something happened to the tape, or the felt pad, or both. Must be some expert that knows...

 

[Fatdog]

If the previous owner spilled a soda and some of it got on the felt pad, that would surely make it sticky. Can you finagle a replacement pad in there and test?

 

[jaetee]

That's a great suggestion from Fatdog. Try swapping the pressure pad.

Can't say I've ever had that same problem.

As a last resort to be able to play that tape, you could buy yourself a Nakamichi with the older classic transport. They use a pad lifter that elimintates pad pressue completely.

 

[Superduper]

OK. Maybe I confused the issue with the title. The tape is not literally sticky. I believe the friction properties of either the tape or felt has been changed/increased making it work like brake pads on a car so when the tape is sandwiched between the head and felt, it grips and won't permit movement. The tape looks and feels like any other cassette tape.

I'm suprised more of you aren't chiming in saying you've got a bunch of these too. Well, except Ira who was bound to have a bunch of clunkers of everything -- why not tape too?

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

I too think you should swap out the felts. I have replaced felts on tapes that had lost them and I have opened up cassettes with screws and put in the whole spring and felt assembly. Its not a big deal to do, but if your gluing in new felts with super glue don't spill the whole damn bottle on your favorite Black In Black tape and then glue it to the desk! It's bad for the desk!

You can also try bending the felt spring a little and see if that helps. I'd try that first!

 

[Superduper]

Where do you get replacement felts from, or do you just rip them outta other cassette tapes?

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Where do you get replacement felts from, or do you just rip them outta other cassette tapes?

Yeah, I would steal them off less desirable tapes, Brittney Spears, The Spice Girls, Ricky Martin! Unless of course those are your favorites!

 

[Fatdog]

Where do you get replacement felts from, or do you just rip them outta other cassette tapes?

Yeah, I would steal them off less desirable tapes, Brittney Spears, The Spice Girls, Ricky Martin! Unless of course those are your favorites!

 

[redbenjoe]

always preserve your brittany felts

 

[oldskool69]

always preserve your brittany felts

And "shave it " just enough for proper fit!