Capstan lubrication easy procedure

This is my dirty personal procedure to oil and lubricate capstans from tape decks. Capstan lubrication doesn't usually fail in decks, but when it does, it produces nasty speed variations that sometimes are not properly traced to this origin.
AS for what type of oil
"Dear readers. And Nacho. Sewing machine oil is very fine for a lot of works around decks, but not for capstan. For example, with it, you can ruin almost immediately a Revox super precision bearing and only replacing it will works. Since few people look after service manual recommendations, please don't use it as a routine. For worn bearings it could help a little, before considering replace, but for any other case, use fine and fully synthetic oil made for capstans. It costs 20 euro and lasts for a life. For sinthering purposes, the best way is cooking-no cold lubrication can diffuse deep enough."
Also: www.tapeheads.net/showthread.p...

[@ghostfood777]

Thank you. You might not get a million views...but content like this is so valuable to us novice hobbyists trying to learn.

[@blade3120]

you are sure to understand it how to fix it? I DO THNK SO! YOU ARE NOT CASETTE TECHNICIAN!!!

[@EclectikTronik]

Excellent video. I did this a few years ago to a 1992 Sony deck. One tip: after dropping the oil onto the capstan, tilt the deck 90º vertically and run it for a few minutes to help the oil work its way into the bearing. Especially worth trying if you put a bit much on, as this way, no oil will drip off due to gravity.

[@chrisgibson8882]

Bien joué 😊

[@jcli007]

Thank you for sharing. I can't believe the high frequency response got better even after just a few oil drops. Amazing. Thank you!

[@mtache12]

Thank you so much. My deck was getting stuck, and I would have to manually spin the spindle to get her going again. The method worked like a charm and saved me some money by not having to go to my tech. Thanks Again!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I use a bamboo stick normally used for bbq skewers.. you can reach very fine and deep and it holds good oil without dripping heavy.

[@chrisgibson8882]

Bien vu😊

[@user-zb4lq4fx4s]

Thank you so much...method worked perfectly on my late 80's Technics...sounds like new! Awesome :)

[@giuseppelavecchia775]

Come modo veloce puo andare,pero resta un lavoro non accurato.sui miei smonto i capstan e relativi volani,pulisco tutto,lubrifico e rimonto,dura una vita

[@lucid__dream__]

Thank you! Great video and explanation. I am going to try this on my cassette deck. I hope it works!

[@russianew]

Thanks for sharing this. It works!

[@rockermarco]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@goranwikstrom9544]

Amazing!!! It works on my Technics RS-B505. Thank you so much!!!!

[@Stropitor]

was it making a very loud screeching noise? because I have the same deck and i can't seem to fix it

[@goranwikstrom9544]

Yes, it was quite loud, but not anymore. You solved the problem for me and it still works. Thanks!! 👍😁

[@santioriginal]

Just ended up here, after my TDK TD-W201 was serviced because of hellish screeching noise it returned today... And I know the repair guy didn't mention anything about giving some drops of sew machine oil to the capstan bearings... First thing tomorrow is to buy me some of that oil. Hope it will work 🙏

[@giuseppelavecchia775]

@@santioriginal TDK?,JVC

[@santioriginal]

@@giuseppelavecchia775 JVC, of course!

[@didyman79]

Dear readers. And Nacho. Sewing machine oil is very fine for a lot of works around decks, but not for capstan. For example, with it, you can ruin almost immediately a Revox super precision bearing and only replacing it will works. Since few people look after service manual recommendations, please don't use it as a routine. For worn bearings it could help a little, before considering replace, but for any other case, use fine and fully synthetic oil made for capstans. It costs 20 euro and lasts for a life. For sinthering purposes, the best way is cooking-no cold lubrication can diffuse deep enough.

[@llagona]

Thnaks updated the info. Recall that this is the DIRTY procedure.

[@breezebenitses397]

Nice video. Thank you

[@robertmattison1282]

great video

[@Rams_hobby]

Nice shortcut Thanx From India mumbai

[@38911bytefree]

Nice JVC !!!!!. Important note is trying NOT to get oil in the pinch roller. Even after lubrication, not sure is oils go pass the plastic washer. In "theory" this brass bearing are soack in grease at factory.. They are kinda like an sponge ... and the idea is that they wont need lubrication in its lifetime.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

beautiful

[@deanguando1335]

Good video

[@bobirae4590]

brilliant

[@Lucrativecris]

What oil do you recommend for lubricating

[@llagona]

Hi. When it comes to lubricating with oil, I think "sewing machine oil" is probably the way to go. But remember, some parts have to be lubricated with other compounds (like lithium grease). Oil is just for some points. Sewing machine oil is actually used these days in more other places than sewing machines but we know by that name here. In any case other oils can do the job reasonably well, because the improvement is huge and differences between oils are secondary.

[@SuperNickid]

@Nacho Pachés: Putting oil on a capstan, that could cause a higher chance of the tape getting eaten by the player, because the tape can slide off the path, unless your putting oil on the gear of the capstan, and not the capstan itself. Edit: so it was on the gear of the capstan, but their are still risk of dropping oil on the capstan itself.

[@jma6412]

That's why you always want to clean the capstan with good 99% IPA after the lubrication.

[@RogerDavis795]

Good instructions. I followed them without success, but I dripped a drop of oil into the motor bushing, aokay now.

[@ofthedawn]

I've got a sharp th w600. My grandma gave it to me and so know it hasn't been used in a while. It's working great. Do I need to mess with it if it seems fine? Can I use oil for hair cutting clippers?

[@llagona]

If it is performing well, I wouldn't touch it in almost any way. At some point you'll need new belts or some other usual maintenance but This precise type of maintenance from the video is not usually necessary. As for the oil , please read the update cmplete video description.

[@ofthedawn]

@@llagona when will I know the belts need replaced? Is it hard to replace them and find the kind for this deck?

[@llagona]

@@ofthedawn It's not easy, I should do a video of it! but there are many. Just remember to take pictures of every step from different points of view. You will notice it's needed either because the mechanism doesn't engage and run or because the sound wobbles .

[@ofthedawn]

@@llagona ok yeah that would be a good video. Do you know anyone making new cassette tapes? I know there's a lot of old new stock and some really cheap new ones at Wal-Mart but was wondering a new good quality ones.

[@llagona]

@@ofthedawn Problem is that it's getting more and more difficult for me to set up the things needed to make a video. But there are other in youtube, if you watch some of them you'll get the idea for sure. But Remember (this is not told in the videos) : have a picture of every step, to recall where each part is assembled back. As for the tapes, it is not a profitable business anymore to produce quality tape, even medium. There are probably some factory in Turkey still making tapes inherited from BASF, it's name is raks and they even use to make metal tape. The shell quality is bad anyways. For quality tapes you need to buy second hand. There is a huge market in germany and also big markets in most big countries.

[@DutchAlps]

Many decks have two bearings per capstan, a front bearing and a back bearing. This procedure does not get the back bearing lubricated. No problems using this method, but if the bearings really require lubrication, the back bearings should not be forgotten. People might think they are save because they have lubricated the capstan bearing, meanwhile causing extra wear on the back bearing over time, because that one isn't lubricated.

[@mtache12]

Sounds like you are an angry tech that is looking for work. Nah I got my deck working, I don't need it brother!

[@botany500kojak]

Looking forward to you r video demonstrating how to lube them.

[@didyman79]

Ignorance is fine, shared knowledge is a sin, and judging people makes you stronger. Be just like that Mike and you'll be fine.

[@newenglisharchitecture1012]

My capstan has black marks on it, which affects the playback. Is there a way to get rid of this? Or will I need a new capstan?

[@llagona]

finding a new capstan is really hard. Pinch rollers are much easier though. However I've never seen a capstan with any kind of marks that can't be removed by cleaning. Usually, tape debris, dirt or roller rubber can deposit on the metal but I've never seen any erosion or permanent damage on it. A good cleaning with alcohol, will usually leave the shiny surface on it. In the back side of the roller, sometimes the belts melts and leaves a thick residue that needs carefull cleaning with alcohol also.

[@ethancates5170]

A cotton q tip with isopropyl works well

[@umeshupadhyay...]

​@@llagonaCorrect.IPA is the best solution to clean the capstan rollers.IPA is not goid for pinch rollers as it may damage the pinch rollers if used in its highly concentrated form.Cotton soaked in water us good or very diluted IPA is good fir pinch rollers to clean them.all.

[@kingshearer2]

Can the capstans cause the music to change speed and could you please recommend an oil for this servicing ? Thanks

[@llagona]

It's not frequent, but They can cause slower than normal speed if there is too much friction (as a lack of lubrication, as this video tries to solve). Often , as they heat they expand and thus more friction makes the music play even slower, but in these cases THERE AREN'T sudden speed variations, wow and flutter (that should show a pinch roller fault). However slow (or fast) music speed is usually a direct result of the motor running faster or slower, or the pinch rollers being worn out and causing bad or uneven pressure on the capstans. That's what usually has to be first considered. AS for the oil, there's a comment talking about using fully synthetic fine oil made for capstans, but If I had to use some oil right now for a cheap deck, I'd choose swing machine oil or synthetic oil for car motors, which I suspect is maybe too viscous, but will protect the metal. However I'm not expert in oils in any way

[@kingshearer2]

@@llagona thankyou !

[@reco9632]

what's the name of the plastic thing that you pulled from capstan to oil ?because ı lost it at oiling and can't find it now.

[@llagona]

Washer. It's a nylon plastic washer. It stops oil from getting out to the outer capstan

[@reco9632]

@@llagona thank you so much

[@souravbhattacharyya3392]

Nice

[@polaris911]

my capstan is nothing like yours. It has a gear on the base and doesn't move in and out

[@piotro9994]

More suitable is silicone- teflon grease . Oil leak on tape

[@GianPieroSillau]

Por la forma de hablar parece que fueras de lengua castellana, a mi modo, lubrico el capstan remojando un hisopo con lubricante y lo exprimo en el orificio del capstan claro, sin empaparlo. Buen video

[@GianPieroSillau]

@Tecno Emergencias utilizo vaselina líquida

[@GianPieroSillau]

@Tecno Emergencias Bueno, yo uso grasa de parafina o de silicona. También hay grasas en base a grafito pero por el lugar donde resido no vi esta última a la venta.

[@GianPieroSillau]

@Tecno Emergencias te deseo suerte!

[@johnadams9041]

Capstans bearing are maintenance free bearings. Those are sinter bearing that has dry lubricant in side into material that they are build and is not necessary to be lubricated.They are created to be not lubricated never , they are built from lubricant material.

[@mraiwa1000]

Hello, what type of oil do you use?

[@llagona]

It's commonly know as "sewing machine oil", ( although nobody uses sewings machines at home nowadays)

[@mraiwa1000]

Nacho Pachés Thanks! and as sad as it is, you're right! I met someone the other day who didn't even know what a sewing machine is!

[@glenzabriskie3952]

Tell that to my wife.

[@mtache12]

Does she smoke?

[@tveasy5172]

@@glenzabriskie3952 )))

[@reco9632]

can ı use printer head cleaner for tape head and pinch roller?

[@llagona]

I don't know, I'm not by any means an expert in cleaning decks chemistry. I just read a lot of times that for the head it is better to use isoprpyl alcohol. And for the pinch roller I'd use water and soap, and then water to remove the soap. You can use also isopropyl alcohol, but I've read somewhere that it can dehidrate the rubber. There is this liquid called "rubber regenerator" that is also a good cleaner, but it's harder to find, I've bought it in the past from someone on a hi-fi forum, do your search for this . Anyway, a bit of dirt in your pinch roller won't make a difference as long as the rubber is in good shape.

[@reco9632]

@@llagona thank you

[@umeshupadhyay...]

​@@llagonayes,Sir,you rightly said that IPA can dehydrate the pinch rollers .

[@mixamc9797]

A temporary,if any solution.Cutting corners this is called.

[@makskk6spm275]

You don't need to lubricate a capstan in such a cassette players. This is just a not necessary.

[@cars654]

Have worked on tape decks for over 30 years and no manufacturer recommends oiling capstan bearings. Bearings are usually made of brass and all oil does is trap dirt and dust. Oil migration to the tape is a big NO NO. If a deck cannot maintain proper speed it is because of dirty hard pinch rollers or a worn out capstan motor or worn out drive belts.

[@llagona]

I' worked as an enthusiast and hobbyst for about 10 years on tapedecks and read lots of messages in forums. I agree that oiling is not a recommended procedure and the bearings have no planned maintenance, but believe me, I've seen decks not working from bearings suffering friction with everything else in order (2 out of 120, and not sure about the second, but one was clearly as I say). Putting some oil in that deck solved the problem instantly. Is it a temporary solution? ok, Is it suboptimal? ok, but Are you going to spend 100 $ fixing properly a deck that is worth 20 when a simple drop of oil will do the job for 4 more years? As I the first thing I stated in the description, this is a dirty procedrure

[@cars654]

Whatever floats your boat. I have only used oil on vertical capstans on DAT decks. I have lubricated the bearings on capstan motors by removing them and putting a small drop of oil on the front and rear bearings of the motor. I love the forums when novice people try to replace all of the capacitors on decks and ruin them in the process. In 30 years I have had to replace 4 capacitors. If you do not have proper equipment and test tapes I wish you luck. I paid a Teac rep $100 bucks for a Dolby level tape so I'm dedicated to getting the best sound out of any deck. The Nakamichi decks are the worst for bad motors and Technics and Panasonic are the next worse. 2 channel scope, freq. counter, wow and flutter meter and AC true RMS analog meter, precision audio frequency generator. It is sad how many great cassette decks are trashed by WANNA B TECHS ! @@llagona

[@johnadams9041]

BS. the capstans are rotating in sinter bearings specially designed to be maintenance free! They do not need any lubrication because they are created from 30% dry lubricant build inside into the composite material of the bearing. They are lubricated for a life time. .Your lubricant disappear from the bearings after couple days and the bearings continue to work with a dry lubricant , same way how was working 40 years till know without problems.

[@SK-qu4wo]

Wow that makes sense because a couple years ago I bought a used Sony TC FX2 (made in Japan 1981) on Ebay for $50 and the only servicing I did to it was replace the drive belt. The deck is now 40 years old and it works fantastic.

[@GTI1dasOriginal]

🤦‍♂️

[@caramulo1969]

lol

[@bennylixballtiti3606]

it seems you are too lazy to take off the cover and doing a full service on the mechanism... A drop of oil on the tip of the capstan has not realy an effect.

[@leszekalbin4097]

The Capstan has a shaft support at the front and rear. This is not done because the lubricant will not penetrate into the rear hole of the shaft. Correctly disassemble both Capstans, clean and lubricate the Capstan opening at the front and rear. Then it makes sense and will work properly for years. What you are presenting is amateurism!

[@llagona]

yes. what I'm presenting is amateurism, I state it clear in the video and description. Now ask a unskilled owner to open the deck, dissassemble the mechanism and do it properly. You probably know what it takes to do that vs what it takes to do what I suggest in the video.

[@leszekalbin4097]

@@llagona Better give him the address of a good inexpensive professional who will do it professionally if he can't do it himself. If it is high-end equipment, it will certainly not lose on it, it will only gain in value. Maintaining a car also costs money. But if someone doesn't have two left hands and can think technically and mechanically, he can handle mechanics. It's important to think 5 times before you start disassembling. These devices are built to be easily serviced mechanically. There is a lot of useful information on the internet about this. Regards.

[@llagona]

@@leszekalbin4097 The "inexpensive professional who will do it professionally " is the part that I don't get, specially for decks that are worth little. If an owner has a valuable piece of equipment, he'll not resort to this, He'll find someone do it properly. Besides, This procedure, if done properly won't hurt more than letting the deck run longer unlubed. Why does everybody has to spend big money to restore vintage equipment to pristine condition? Isn't it ok to work around problems with a simple tweak? Here in spain, sending the deck and reciving it back is about 80 euros to begin with. Packaging it properly and bothering taking it to the post office might be a greater bothering. Just finding a parking spot with your car near the post office might be a nightmare. Picking it from home is even more expensive. All that effort for a 50 euros deck?