Fixing Videotape that pulled off the Spool

We demonstrate how to repair a video tape that has pulled off the spool. Demonstrator, Tommy from Indie Tommy Tips, of TommyProductions.com, proves how his 36 years of film, video, audio, photography, digital and restoration experience enables him to teach how to fix a "broken video tape". Other videos demonstrate how to clean mold, or splice a tape using scotch tape. Please subscribe and share. it helps me help other people too.

[@ItsBeenAwhilePodcast]

My mom has cancer and I’m digitizing old home movies so she can watch them and this just saved one of the tapes that I thought might have been done for. Thank you!

[@Shinnokxz]

This helped me with one of our family movies from 38, maybe 40 years ago. I had rewound it in a deck and the tape unspooled. Tape is running and getting recorded to data right now. Immense thank you- when I took it apart parts flew everywhere (not the springs) but you had an excellent viewpoint of where everything goes and how the tape is wound through all the pulleys.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you

[@Joseph-on7nf]

Thank you real savior. Took me like 5 KZbin searches to figure my problem and the fix with your video. So all these years later thanks again for this!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Awesome

[@TatianaBelieves]

This video was so well made. You showed the image close up and explained it so clearly. I can't believe I was able to save our VHS tape and memories thanks to your video. Thank you so so much!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Ph gosh, thank you sooo much

[@CadeCYC]

@@TommyRosaTommyProductions Hi! I was trying to digitize my 35 year old VHS tapes and the VCR must have started unspooling the tape. I tried it on two. One I was able to spool back. The other lost the tape on the reel just as you showed. 🙀 I don’t think I can do it as you as a pro have done. Do you have a recommendation on what I should do to save this tape? (Where to take it to…or if I have no option but to try DIY, etc) Thank you so much

[@Catenfur]

This is very informative and I can’t wait to put your tips to use. I have two old home videos that slipped off their spools so need to get those taken care of.

[@prpapas]

This was the best video for this repair I found on YT as of 2022 - thank you!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

YOur'e too kind

[@markanderson5810]

Saved some treasured memories thanks to you. Much appreciated.

[@jonathanforeman3270]

I remember learning to fix these when I was 12 years old. No youtube videos or 😂 anything. Just boredom and a need to watch TMNT 2.

[@adkenc]

Thank you much. I had a tape snap on me yesterday, and I had just found the right size screwdriver to fix it. Was having a bit of trouble with the reattach, but it's nicer to see someone do it vs just imagining how to get it on without crinkling.

[@JimPianoGibson]

Really helpful. Thanks! Saved at tape that the local transfer service wouldn't repair.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Glad it helped!

[@rickyiglesias5384]

Thank you so much for this. I watched a few other vids and they all used scotch tape to re-attach the clear part of the tape to the spool. So glad you pointed out the correct way to fix this. Getting that red tab to snap back in the by far the most difficult part of this process. It sits in so snug. And when you ADD the clear tape material, it wants to fight you even more. Mine must have flew off about 20 times before I finally figured out how to snap it on. Thanks again for your work.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you for that feedback - Sorry I just read your comments.

[@rickyiglesias5384]

Just came back to this video to re-set another tape. Everything went a lot smoother this time for me due to experience. But, I had a hell of a time getting the top back in place correctly. It wasn't lining up right. Finally realized that it was one of those silver shafts. It wasn't sitting down all the way because I didn't have it orientated correctly. So if anyone is having issues getting the top to seat back on the base of the tape, spin those silver shafts until they drop down. Thanks again for your video, Tommy.@@TommyRosaTommyProductions

[@kiowastew]

FYI, on the back of either cassette spool is a small hole meant for a push pin of some sort. These holes are visible from the outside of the case and without opening the cassette tape. You can insert a pin through those holes and slide the red/orange retaining clip out of it's track and through the opening on the clear plastic reel guard. This prevents possible breaking of brittle plastic. There's no need to push or force the red/orange retaining clip back in either. Simply align the clip lip along the track and slide it into place through the plastic reel guard. The retaining clip can be other colors as well. Sometimes, it is yellow or clear plastic.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank You

[@kevinkarnes4067]

How do you get the tape lead under the retaining clip while sliding it in place?

[@andulasis6283]

Trying to put the red clip back in was so incredibly hard. I couldnt do it with all my force despite having really strong fingers :D

[@speedyboishan87]

Can be GREY, WHITE, BLACK, GREEN, BLUE, PINK etc on some tapes.

[@StarEco64]

Thank you, both of you saved a 40plus year old German tape from being thanosed

[@JasonLehrhoff]

Thanks Tommy! Just respooled a pop warner football playoff game from 1985 that came off when I rewound it. Capturing on hard drive now!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you for that feedback - Sorry I just read your comments.

[@ebenezergeezer]

Great video. Thanks. My tape didn't come off the spool but this helped me take it apart to fix it and put it back together. 💯

[@alexz4945]

Great video. Clear and concise. Camera had the right angle to show what you were doing and you went at the right speed that I could follow along. Thank you.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank You E

[@MeemaMcLivingHealthy]

Thank you. I thought I had lost a full vcr tape of home movies from the early 80s. Now I at least have a little hope to save some of it.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you for that feedback - Sorry I just read your comments.

[@Michael-ws7rc]

Worked perfectly for me thanks friend!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you for that feedback - Sorry I just read your comments.

[@damian9303]

I see so many cutting the leader and taping it back onto a different spool so I like the trick you show of pushing out the plastic clip holding it in place. However, there’s a hole at the bottom that you can simply push out more easily using a bent paperclip rather than prying it with a flathead

[@johnf8991]

Thanks for the video, helped me fix family 8 mm reel converted to vhs tape. A tip, you can put a small eyeglass flathead screwdriver through the bottom where the red locking mechanism is slowly with some Force and you can pop it out without snapping it out. Hope that helps everyone out!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Cool, thanks

[@phoenixsghost4772]

I was able to fix my Return of the King tape thanks to you! Great and very informative video!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

thank you

[@andulasis6283]

Thanks a lot! Im currently trying to convert dozens and dozens of 35 year old VHS tapes to Digital of my brothers. The first tape immediatley spooled off and im glad i found such an excellent guide video such as yours. Its recording in the background as i write this and got my fingers crossed that the repaired spot works once it gets to it because i haven't managed to make it nearly as good as you did it! Thanks a lot :)

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Oh thank you soooo much!

[@happyyad]

Thanks, your video was very helpful.😊

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deltalima5806]

Thanks! Great job!

[@JRPLawyeress1]

Trying to upload old videos. Baby’s first bath tape broken. Thank you so much.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you

[@SherMusician]

the best of the best thank you

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you

[@CantankerousDave]

I have half a dozen tapes to make this fix on, but not a single one of them has that handy access hole over the clip.

[@karlastafford9623]

Back in 2005 mine broke at the spool part of the vhs tape and i unscrewed the screws and got some scotch tape and taped it back on the spool put the screws back in and played it long enough to make a copy of the movie.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Quick fix works

[@GojiGuy]

this was a humongous help to me thank you so much!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you for that feedback - Sorry I just read your comments.

[@PedroChehoud]

U are a legend dude

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you for that feedback - Sorry I just read your comments.

[@AsclepiusDream]

Great content. Thank you so much for your help.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Sometimes I miss the days of physical media. Nice job, ITT!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Me too. It keeps me working

[@CAdams93]

​@@TommyRosaTommyProductionsis it a way I can send my tape to you for you to fix?

[@ernieb820]

❤great video

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you!!

[@BKDBrian2]

I sure wish I knew how to do that.

[@katzpyjamaz8574]

The man in that home video looks like mr dressup lol

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

You're right

[@pbsfundingaddict790]

I was baffled and confused by the clear parts of the film strip. But it’s the part where it disengages after rewinding, right?

[@joshuapowell1868]

Great video everything proven vhs tapes can be fixable with Scotch tape

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

You are right about scotch tape

[@zahnmanretired8572]

I would appreciate any tips on inserting red clip to attach clear tape to take up reel. Everything was fine until I got that step!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Oh gosh. so hard to press those clips in. I. use a screw drive sometimes

[@bobsbits5357]

hi where is your TBC unit i have one in a betacam decks just can't move the video over i been talking to alot i got my gear from alot just do it for the money fast turn over

[@TTVEaGMXde]

I would use clear Tape for Insertion as much as possible.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

you are right

[@randallkammer778]

Hey, I tried to unscrew my tape, but the sixth screw appears to be all smooth and circular with no means to insert a Philips or flathead screwdriver. Would you know other tools I can use?

[@thanthanasiszamp4707]

It's not a screw. Vhs cassettes always have 5 screws

[@timboreland3749]

Thank you so much for your clear instructions you just help me save one of my favorite tapes.

[@instanttang1771]

Thanks!

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

Thank you

[@peterk9684]

Any tips on doing the same for a VHS-C (small format) tape with the same problem?

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

VHs c is a pain

[@joshuapowell1868]

People like myself are fixing vhs tapes with Scotch tape it starts playing again with out no problem's

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

If you can do it. I use scotch tape too

[@joshuapowell1868]

Yes I can I been fixing vhs tapes with Scotch tape for over 4 years ago now and I still fixing today

[@joshuapowell1868]

Everything is proven you got cut some the Scotch tape off the vhs tape it self

[@Nazrenefollower]

Hi can you fox tapes or clean vhs tapes there lines on the tape when I play it? Can I send you video showing you.

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

If there are lines it probably has scratches

[@jaredmcclure1712]

Is there a way to message you directly? I’m using a Sony DVDirect to convert old family tapes to dvd and digital, some tapes are real glitchy for the first few minutes of playback. Do you offer a service to restore bad parts in the tape or is it a lost cause?

[@TommyRosaTommyProductions]

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