fostex 280 replace a belt

[@bubblehouse544]

Thank you! I replaced my belt and got it back together without causing a fire - thanks to your video! 👍

[@rivercidal]

Thank You 3rd Island! I have been looking for this video for nearly 8 years! I really appreciate how you did this video. Props!

[@3rdisland477]

rivercidal \\I'm so proud and happy that my video could help you solving your machine's issue, thanks for watching and comment

[@electromagnetica9]

Thanks thanks thanks!! Bought a 280 very cheap with this problem, Its ready to rock and roll.

[@AMprior]

Jan '23! Thank you so much! It was broken for years! Now working again and I can listen to my very early recordings! The belt was quite expensive (15€) but worth it...

[@menachemspielman145]

Do you know what size it was? Trying to find one, myself...

[@rminardi]

Hey man -- thanks for these awesome videos. I just made 3 fixes using your videos: replaced the belt, cleaned the old gunk off the mechanisms and cleaned the little switch inside the playback mechanism. It's unbelievable how easy it was to fix! So glad I didn't get rid of it. Great resource! Now I have to go fix my porta01! ha ha ha

[@briankeenan4901]

Thanks for your video! I want to add, i am useless with tweezers. I substituted a mini spring hook that i purchased for such jobs as this.

[@mr.toolor4657]

Perfectly explained, after I installed a new drive belt, everything worked perfectly again. Thanks a lot

[@3rdisland477]

So happy that my video could solve your issue, good luck

[@mr.toolor4657]

@@3rdisland477 One question: what do you think how much a used (inkl.new belt) complete working fostex 280 multitracker may cost?

[@MrSgtpepper53]

3rd Island, Thank you , very informative video and well done. The only question I have is the belt size. I have searched the internet and can't seem to find the belt size, and the one that was on the Forstex 280 was complete toast so I couldn't get a measurement. Thank you again for posting this video.

[@Zeugitai]

It's amazingly hard to find this info, or the service manual, or anyone who can or will help. On the Fostex 380S, the flywheel has a diameter of 5cm; the distance between axles is 5cm; the drive pulley has a diameter of 1 cm and it's 0.5 cm wide. I figure this makes the belt 20.236 cm long.

[@menachemspielman145]

@@Zeugitai Thank you!! If you happened to have found an actual belt, would love to know what the size was!

[@countyrats9422]

Absolute legend for this. Thanks!

[@alekamibeats]

I just repaired one unit of this piece of gear. Thanks for the video! 🙏🏼

[@3rdisland477]

So happy that I could help you

[@HStel-di4jr]

Thank you for posting this video. It really helped me in repairing my 30 years old Fostex 280!

[@3rdisland477]

Thanks, so happy that my video could helped you

[@electroink5861]

Thank you so much !! You saved my Fostex 280 !

[@3rdisland477]

So happy that I could saved your machine

[@miliggi]

You're my hero! Thank you very very much, my Fostex 280 now works after installing a replacement belt from eBay.

[@3rdisland477]

Thanks for your kind comment, so heppy that my video could help you to fix the issue, good luck

[@fostexfan160]

Excellent video! Well done. Very professional

[@sapbucry]

Thanks!, just did it, worked like a charm !

[@3rdisland477]

great , so happy that you solved your issue

[@njr40]

Thank you to help me to recover my Fostex 280!

[@3laal3ahd]

so happy that my video could help to solve your machine issue

[@OneHellOfASandwich]

I already ordered a belt, but out of curiosity: I use my 280 quite often actually. I was trying to make a short term substitute belt using a skinny rubber band while I wait for the proper replacement. Tension was a little high, but it fit. Only issue was that it kept falling off the flywheel after a few rotations. Is that to be expected for a belt that’s not the right size? Or is this issue likely to carry over to the proper belt, meaning I must fix something that might be wrong with the assembly?

[@counterfeitselfband]

Fun question: Do you have a good resource where to buy the new belt and which this one is?

[@menachemspielman145]

Did you find the answer?

[@Mykoprak]

I love you man, really. Thank you 💛

[@farewellfriendband]

Hey, thanks for the video. I just finished replacing the belt and thankfully no noise when I insert a tape but nothing seems to happen when I hit F. Fwd or Rewind. Tape isn't rolling yet.

[@3rdisland477]

Make sure that the motor is spinung when you press any of the operating funstions

[@enricotrafeli4425]

I need the small square buttons for my Fostex 280.. can you tell me where I can find them? thank you!

[@3rdisland477]

I do have the whole part of buttons price is $20

[@enricotrafeli4425]

@@3rdisland477 can you send me a picture here or at enricotrafeli @ gmail. com I'm interested

[@Barsleth]

SuperThanks! Worked like a charm!

[@julef4234]

great video.. at the moment i have two issues with my X15 .. i only can record and play chan/track 2 and 4 ..1 and 3 is not working ..do you have maybe a tipp or trick to fix it ?? the second is that sometimes when i use it normally .. play function don´t go off ..so i need to roll the big Belt Whell that it wnts out , is there a specific reason for that ?? cheers

[@3rdisland477]

Thanks, starting with the 2nd issue, it's a matter of a slack belt, you need to replace it, the 1st issue, there are several things you have to check :1 the 1/3 select switch may get oxidation contacts you have to spray it with WD40 or any deoxidation liquid, 2nd check the1/3 amplification ic and caps, Good luck

[@brennen22359]

Found the belt easily by google searching Fostex 280 replacment belt. Bought one from West coast Belts.

[@brennen22359]

Belt showed up saturday, put it in sunday. Fostex works like new.

[@bubblehouse544]

Thanks for this! This has been the question of the day... where to find a belt and which one! I'll give this a try. Much appreciated!

[@giorgiolopez_music]

Hello, can you please tell us the size? I'm in Europe...

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

You my friend are a genius. I just love your channel. Kind regards.

[@3rdisland477]

Thanks a lot , thats of your kindness

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

@@3rdisland477 you are welcome, you give selflessly of your knowledge to others, also you are helping us older analogue lovers to keep vintage equipment alive. Thank you so very much. Oh by the way I managed to find a brand new replacement for a Tascam porta 05 that I am working on. Kind regards.

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hello Zain, I hope you are well. I recently bought thie fostex 280 and it has a problem the machine plays, znd records. However it only plays on the left side on the headphones snd not on the right side. I have replaced the two chips next to the headphones potentiometer and I replaced the capacitors on the board too and also put in a new potentiometer for the headphones and nothing has worked. Am I missing something?. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards. Paul

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Great visual explanation...!

[@NONFamers]

There's quite a few quirks to this operation I would never have figured out myself. Thanks for sharing!

[@3laal3ahd]

Nils Olav Kilen \\ thanks for the comment and good luck

[@NONFamers]

I got a replacement belt for the 280 (the old one had disintegrated into a black, sticky goo), I followed your procedure for changing the belt, and once the machine was put back together it worked as perfectly as when I tucked it away about 12 years ago! An extra tip: the sticky goo left by the old belt comes off easily with isopropyle alcohol (the kind you clean the tape heads with) and Q-tips. Take care not to get any on the belt, as it does not do any good there. Thanks again for sharing!!

[@thomaseburns9259]

Hi, thank you for the greet video. Well done. I'm having issues with my 280. I just purchased it second hand, and was scammed. Seller told me it was working fine, but it's not at all. Would love to get some help if you can. Firstly, inside, on the electronics, it is full of dust and grime that is caked on, looks like compressed air won't get rid of it all. How should I clean it? Secondly, RWD and FWD can move the cassette but slowly, there is no hi speed at all. Thirdly, Play works for 5 seconds, then it chews up my tape, appears to be on the right side. And lastly, headphone monitor mix is really buzzy. I know it's a doozy, I appreciate any help, may be too much, but I'm so looking forward to using this machine. Thank you

[@3rdisland477]

Thank you for your comments, first you can use WD40 with a teeth brush to clean the PCB but do not let the spray goes inside the sliders , secondly , REW & FWD can't spin in high speed however you have to check if the rubber brakes move away from the reels or you have to clean the RWD\FWD motor and the gears, third for play mode the right reel seems not spinning continuously which causes to chew the tape ,so you have to check the right reel and the RWD\FWD mechanism and motor, try to play without inserting a tape by pressing the rear cassette micro switch , lastly clean the main slider and monitor potentiometer by soft brush or a cold air of hairdryer please let me know if this could help or go further to other solutions , good luck

[@goonknox]

Does the 280 and 260 have the same size belt?

[@3rdisland477]

No, 280 belt is smaller than 260

[@Zeugitai]

I followed your procedure carefully on a Fostex 380S. When finished and powered on, the carriage moves up and down nine times and all the lights on the panel light and stay lit. The carriage ends in its 'up' position, preventing insertion of a tape. Does anyone have the service manual, or know what this error behavior indicates? Please and thanks!

[@3rdisland477]

Check the functions gear lock

[@Zeugitai]

I've scoured the service manual and user manual for "Functions Gear Lock" and it's not mentioned anywhere. Would you be so kind as to point out the part you mean? I could send a picture of my transport for you to put a circle on.

[@CyberCreeper22]

quick question where do you get new belts/know which one to get

[@3rdisland477]

From eBay, puy bunch multi size and select the suitable size for your machine, good luck

[@CyberCreeper22]

@@3rdisland477 oh I also have the fostex 280 you know what's the size of you got?

[@mediantmusic]

THIS IS A CURSED VIDEO. TY FOR THE TUTORIAL THO

[@alekamibeats]

Hi. I'm repairing one of this machines. Do you know the size of the belt?. Here in Spain is very difficult to find. 😔

[@Asiertxu1974]

Thanks A LOT for this video explanation!! VERY USEFULL!! Hope to fix mine aswell. :-) Asier.

[@bartoszszwed4883]

Thank you very much, that was very helpful movie. !!!!

[@brexxebender1204]

Hey can anyone tell me why, after replacing the belt.. that when I press play I just hear a click and then the whole led screen lights up with everything and stays lit up?

[@peeziestp]

Hey man! Great video. I recently bought a 280, with functioning FF and RW, but no play or record. Opened up, replaced the disintegrated belt, after reassembly I now have no FF, RW, play or reverse. Any potential paths to follow?

[@3rdisland477]

OK, good luck

[@villeveikkoh]

Thank you 3rd Island. I hope you could instruct me with my following problem. I had not used my old Fostex 280 for years but 3 days ago I tried to use it. I played my old tapes and it worked for 1 hour but then it stopped. It started to make a loud buzzing noise when a cassette was in but it did not react when I pressed play. RW and FF were working but PLAY does not work. When I took a cassette away the noise stopped but as soon as I put a cassette in some loud buzzing noise like something rolling started. When I pressed play, the heads did not move and nothing happened. Then I found from the web this your instruction video and I opened the machine. I found that the belt has dropped away from the flywheel but the belt had not been broken. I managed to put the belt back by following your video. But when I put everything to its place and tried whether it works, it still did not work. I think the buzzing noise is not so loud but it is there and when I press PLAY, nothing happens. When I put the power on or off, then one second puzzing noise appears and when I put cassette in, a constant buzzing noise appears. So I think the buzzing noise became less loud after I put the belt back in its place, but otherwise the problem remains the same. When I put a cassette in, the thin metal stick on the right side of the cassette starts to roll fast with the buzzing noise, but when I press PLAY, the heads do not move and nothing happens and the PLAY function jumps off as the tape does not start to roll. May be the belt is not tight enough, but is there some other problem also ? What I should do to get my Fostex 280 to work again ?

[@3rdisland477]

Hey Ville, your machine may has a bad contact micro switch which caused by an oxidation or dirt on the contact points , please watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpuxnp2dmN2hrq8 if this helps , otherwise let me know to follow up with you the next step to do, good luck

[@villeveikkoh]

Thank you @@3rdisland477. I will try that, but as you use there WD 40 spray, which I do not happen to have here now, would CRC 5-56 spray suit for the purpose as well ? Or if not, how about LM-40 (Liqui Moly) ?

[@villeveikkoh]

Dear 3rd Island, I tried to take away oxidation with CRC and sand paper. Currently the noise is not very loud but it starts when I put cassette in and the problem remains that when I press play, cassette does not move and soon the play function jumps off. (RW and FF functio but are quite slow.) When I put the power on or off I can hear that small noise 3rd Island do you have proposals WHAT SHOULD I DO ? (By the way if I compare your machine in this your video, there is such small differences compared to my machine that : - The plastic wheel which is white in your video is black in my machine. Should that white plastic wheel have 3 gaps in its outer circumference ? - The small black stripe which is around the long white plastic part ad which you show in your video when 4 minutes 43 seconds have passed, is in different place in my Fostex 280. In your video that small black stripe around the long white plastic part is where that white long plastic part is over the white wheel, but in my machine that black stripe is near where that long white plastic part starts as fixed by the string - between the place where it is fixed by the string and the place where it keeps the down end of the string behind that white nodule of that long white plastic part. And that black stripe can not be taken from there to any other place as the white nodule prevents it from being shifted over the white wheel. It has been like that always in my machine.

[@ElZud1X]

Does anyone know the best place to get the replacement belts from? Are they the 58.5mm diameter (184mm circumference) by 3mm?

[@3rdisland477]

Mike Simmonds //rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183143730397

[@ElZud1X]

Sadly they do not ship to the UK... I was thinking: cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/belt3/belt-flat-58-5x3-0mm-diaxw-0-6mm/dp/AVBELT3 but very expensive per belt!?

[@MrSgtpepper53]

Mike, which is the belt size ? Where did you find it at ? Is it the site you posted here ?

[@adrianknott9708]

Does this belt fit the 280?

[@MrSgtpepper53]

Adrian, I found a belt at turntableneedles.com -- he was very helpful. I'm not sure if your in the U.S. it was $6.00 usd with free shipping. The size is 8 inches X 3 mm or 1/8 ...

[@joesmile2025]

Could someone help me what size is the belt (flat band) of the cassette deck of the portastudio 488 tascam width, length and diameter, thanks for your help

[@bubblehouse544]

Try searching for it in West Coast Belts website.

[@ElZud1X]

Ok, I've replaced the belt... many thanks for the video as it helped a lot. However the play and rewind are very "stiff", I think the spools are poorly lubricated... any tips?

[@3rdisland477]

Mike Simmonds \\ great , you need to labricate the forword and rewinde rools by WD40 , seems the greas is jammed in , good luck

[@Hugh_Manitee]

There are very tiny split washers that hold the spools down. You CAN'T LOSE THEM. Be very careful. I took 2 pcs of printer paper and used a paper punch to make holes. Separated the paper, turned one 180°and put over the spools so when the split washers came off, they wouldnt fall into the machine.

[@chrisyoung8093]

I recently bought a fostex 280 and everything works fine however it won’t play and makes a humming noise. Will replacing the belt fix this or is there something else I have to do?

[@3rdisland477]

Seems no thing wrong except a bad belt, good luck

[@chrisyoung8093]

3rd Island I replaced the belt and the humming noise has stopped however the play button still won’t work, any suggestions? P.s. it could be that I’ve used the wrong belt or that I need to find some way to engage the tape head.

[@giannispagalos8620]

Ευχαριστω παρα πολυ!!

[@van403]

Your channel is such a great resource and really helped me get started with the repair of these wonderful machines. I just replaced the belt on my 280 and am busy testing all the functions now. One thing that bugs me is that after playing and rewinding a bit the capstan motor stays on even if I press stop. You can softly hear (and see) it running even while nothing else is going on. Any advice? Thanks!

[@3rdisland477]

Thanks for your kind words, definitely this model adopts (NO) ormal on capstan motor because all functions get motion from the capstan to make the machine quick response , I usualy add a customise contact switch on the back of the mechanism to stop the motor when,no cassette inserted just to save the motor time live , good luck

[@sophysthycat1120]

Thankss😊🙏

[@narizotaa]

Hey great video. I did this but I took the heads off and when I put all back again IT didnt work and an E. Is shown in the little screen as son as Iturn IT on. Is there a sensor for the Head? Or maybe the white wheel behind the belt isnt un the correcto position? Thanks dude!

[@3rdisland477]

you did a mistake during assembly the parts , repeat the steps carefully as shown in the video, good luck

[@narizotaa]

Thanks. I'll try again and let you know!

[@narizotaa]

Hey Man. I cant make IT work. IT continues with the E error. Whats the original position of the cassette whole thing? I tried diferente positions

[@narizotaa]

@@3rdisland477 hi, I sent you a KZbin link with the problem I've got. I changed the belt. Thanks!

[@matthijsverschuure2334]

Thanks for this useful video! Just replaced the belt, however the tapehead doesn't move when pressing play. It just remains in downward position. Fastforward -and backward works, though very slow. Anyone knows what could be the problem here? Thanks!

[@3rdisland477]

Thanks, double check that you replace all the parts in the correct position, the spring and the gear lock plastic part, check the head block movement by moving it with your finger, good luck

[@3rdisland477]

There are 2 contact switches on the mechanism unit that sense the cassette, check the wires connected to these 2 switches, may on of them is cut accidentally

[@matthijsverschuure2334]

@@3rdisland477 Thank you! Both switches seem to be working. Actually this problem already occurred before replacing the belt. The springs are connected correctly. And as far as I know I put back together the plastic part exactly as shown in the video. Here's a quick video I captured, showing ffwd and backward is working, but when pressing play, nothing happens.

[@matthijsverschuure2334]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z32mo6mjpMuUf6s

[@3rdisland477]

make sure the (play) button on the control panel is working fine , the green led should lights up when pressing , otherwise you have to clean the play button

[@casualburn220]

Hey, this was easy to follow, thanks for posting.However, once i reassembled the 280 I couldn’t close it back together around the top right corner. I managed it after a few minutes but now my tape won’t fit. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do?

[@3rdisland477]

Casual Burn \\ thanks for the comment and the question , make sure you replace the mechanism in it's exact place, if you removed the screws ears on the mechanism unit , so you have to reassemble it correctly , watch again my video to see how the screws ears were fitted, good luck

[@casualburn220]

I have looked at the video another time and the ears appear to be in their correct positions but still no luck. Any other suggestions?

[@3rdisland477]

Casual Burn \\ check exactly in what part the cover stuck, make sure the harness wires directing correctly , make sure all knobs are off

[@casualburn220]

Thank you for the quick reply, In your video I noticed that when you put the playback head (is that correct?) back in place your finger touches part of the pinch roller causing it to pivot. My pinch roller doesn’t move like that... so perhaps that is causing the problem..? I’m getting the cover stuck on the Rec / play head, the erase head, and the roller.

[@3rdisland477]

Casual Burn \\so the head block is stucking in play mode , you have to spin the flywheel by finger couple rounds intil it goes to stop mode and the head retract , good luck

[@javieralamo9104]

Thank you 3rd Island! I managed to fix this. I have also got the repair error "E" cleaning and sanding but this error came back very soon. To solve this, choose to unite the mechanism a little more to make better contact. Now, I have another problem, at the time of recording at the beginning it registers regularly and little by little the motor loses velocity and has even stopped. Who has happened to you? and you know what could be wrong or how to fix it?

[@3rdisland477]

Hey, Obviously you have a bad motor, usualy I do open the motor and clean the brushes in side but this needs an accurate and hard job, thanks and good luck

[@javieralamo9104]

@@3rdisland477 Perfect, thanks!!! Do you have a video of how to do this operation?

[@peteluna4336]

Hello mine doesn't go into play when I press play ne ideas

[@3rdisland477]

Hello, a lot of probabilities , belt , control, mechanism

[@stef8730]

Hello. Good video, thanks for sharing. Are you 100% sure about the spring position ? it is a bit weird isn't it ?

[@3rdisland477]

100% as you can see in the video

[@MrPixedelisme]

thanks a lot

[@babylink999]

Hi, thanks for the video. It helped me fit a new belt so much appreciated. I too recently bought a 280 on EBay that was advertised as working but it actually wasn’t working . I fitted a new belt through your video and now the play button is working but it seems to play tapes at double speed! Have I done something wrong or is there something else to it? Thanks again

[@3rdisland477]

No thing wrong at all, the model you bought is a high speed high quality recording, good luck

[@babylink999]

@@3rdisland477 thank you

[@jouwersma]

Fixed! Thanks

[@eyyojung]

Hi, thanks for your uploads. When I turn my 280 on the head turns up and down a few times and the display shows a dot on the second left corner and an "E" right next to it (2nd digit). Preowner told me he changed the belt not long ago but didn't fix the problem. Maybe something is wrong with the spring? I did not open it jet. Can you help me or have any idea what the error message is about? Thank you very much.

[@3rdisland477]

eyyojung \\ remove the upper cover and go to the mechanism section you will find a contact switch close to the erase head , clean this switch by WD40 or sand paper and make sure it contact and release perfectly and tighten the mechanism screw with ground wire that fit the mechanism to the plastic body, good luck

[@3rdisland477]

watch this video for this defect kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpuxnp2dmN2hrq8

[@eyyojung]

Thank you very much. This is amazing.

[@fhussain44]

Cool. I just replaced the belt on my model 260 which is a little different than yours. I made some recordings with the 260 and am too blown away by the sound. I am not sure if that is the nature of it or it has to do with ageing electronics?

[@christopherdunn317]

Yes the 280 i have here and the sound is very warm, even warmer than the 380s.

[@9-mastering]

Hey faraz is opening the 260 about the same way as the 280?

[@jonborgersen6117]

god damn it is the same transport that is in my old nad c6050. nice

[@radiowookie]

THANK YOU, VERY MUCH!! , You save my Music!)

[@3rdisland477]

So happy that I could help you , thanks

[@brexxebender1204]

Ok, I see.. apparently this belt he is using is a random belt from a variety pack. Can get on Amazon..

[@brexxebender1204]

Can anyone tell me where I can get a belt for a 380... I'm guessing it's the same as the 280.. please advise...thanks!!!

[@christopherdunn317]

Yes i have both machines the belt is the same i have both service manuals for the 380s and 280.

[@MrSgtpepper53]

@@christopherdunn317 try turntableneedles.com and call ask for item number FBS 8.0 Flat Small 8.0 inch.

[@narizotaa]

@@christopherdunn317 can you please share me the service manual for the fostex 280?

[@202SoundStudios]

christopher dunn I have a 380s that recently suffered from the drive belt turning soft. Would be interested In finding out how to obtain a copy of the service manual for it. If you can help, please let me know. Thanks.

[@jakeschoer]

Thanks for the video, I just bought a Fostex 280. When I press play, I hear a click and the button lights up for about 2 seconds but then it clicks off again and the stop button lights back up. Does anyone think this is due to a broken belt? The fast forward and rewind buttons still work.

[@peeziestp]

Jake Schoer same issue here. Ever find a solution?

[@isaacnoroncaasi]

Thanks for your video, it's really helpfull. I'm going to try to repair mine, just wondering where I should get the belt. And also, how much should I pay for it? Thanks in advance!

[@3rdisland477]

Look for on ebay, thanks and good luck

[@pcdavidson1]

@@3rdisland477 Go here: www.hifidrivebelts.co.uk Belt # 3.4

[@menachemspielman145]

@@pcdavidson1 Lifesaver!

[@Jazzcaz15]

No - I’m afraid that’s far too scary for me! If you live anywhere near Derbyshire, England - can you repair mine please?

[@3rdisland477]

sorry , I'm not in England

[@whispers29]

Thank you for this awesome video it helped me repair mine. I am still having problems with Track #4. The only way I can get sound is distorted, and I am using it the same way as the other 3 tracks which are not distorted? Do you have any insights that may help me diagnose and fix this problem? Thanks for all of your videos, hope you are well.

[@3rdisland477]

Hey, thanks for your kind comment, what kind of distortion ? can you post me a video to determine the problem to solve it?

[@whispers29]

@@3rdisland477 Thanks for such a quick response. I have posted a video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHvOhJqQeKiWjsU Thank you!