New Belt into my old Pioneer CTF500 how will it sound?

[@chico1287]

I can now play cassettes on my pioneer Ct f500 after following your belt fix. I was scared I’d have to dismantle the front fascia and mechanicals to replace one belt. Can’t thank you enough as your demo on replacing belts helped fix my issue in less than 30mins. Many thanks!

[@MagicMaus29]

Those tiny flat belts (from the cheep Amazon kit) aren't as useless as you might think. I use them, for example, to stick/glue them on worn/hardened idlers and thereby not only expand the surface again, but above all to make it more grippy again. If the deck has a separate motor for FFW/REW, which drives an idler via a pulley, you can also pull it over the pulley to achieve a similar effect. It goes without saying, that this technique is only suitable for secondary functions and not for parts that are directly involved in the playback/recording operation.

[@Sans_Solo_]

Interesting method to recondition difficult to find idler's.....will have to try that

[@12voltvids]

Yes I was thinking the same thing. Just waiting to find a unit that needs a tire refurbishment

[@alcoholisfreedrink]

i have used O-ring gaskets from hardware store. These things work nicely when sanded into shape.

[@andrewlisenby9693]

I've a CTF-4242 I bought back in 1979, approx. I have made many tapes on it using the Maxells and TDKs, UD XLIIs and SAs. Those tapes still play! Spent many a hot hour in my old job to earn the money for that deck. Hope some thieving bastard hasn't stolen that old deck from us. Thanks for the episode, Dave. I always enjoy them.

[@hotchickenwings72]

Only thing I did different was I simply removed the one screw on the other side of the bracket with wires and it scooted right out of the way to get the old belt out and the new belt in. Easy 10 minute job with a little care . The Amazon belt sells the correct belt set that includes the true dimentions flat belt. Worked like a charm, after a demag and cleaning it sounds like a new deck!

[@pradolover]

My dad had this exact model in the early 80s! Used to see daily use.

[@jeffadams5510]

Dang, all things considered that didn't sound bad at all. Kinda cool looking back at some of your finest work from back in the day eh? Been down that road myself, and this really makes me smile! Oh the memories!!!!!!

[@tcape72]

I also have a Pioneer CTF500 but mine looks different than yours. Yours has some kind of circuit board below where you are working but mine doesn't. Mine had a plastic screw that looks like it keeps the flywheel from moving horizontally and is sealed with some kind of yellow loctite. I tried to use a 7/64(I think) allen wrench but it would not turn. So I used needle nose pliers to loosen the screw enough to slip the belt past it. Then I turned the screw back to where it was after the 5 minutes it took me to replace the belt, which had turned to gum, had to use alcohol to remove the belt from the flywheel. The valuable part of your video was using the pick tools to move the belt. Got them at Harbor Freight!Thanks!

[@exconmom2464]

Great video thanks for the detailed tutorial

[@wheatonna]

I did a stupid thing with mine. I pulled that motor bracket off. Since the screw that attaches it to the smaller plate with two reed switches (FF and RW I believe) refused to budge, I pulled out both plates together with those fragile switches attached. Don't do that. Even if you don't break them, you'll have the time of your life getting it all back together. My CTF500 is now a parts-only deck.

[@anthonystoiber6506]

Replaced my belts, thanks for the video. Playing a bit slow, you mentioned you adjusted your speed. How did you do that?

[@kristiandawe85]

Idk why, but I found this repair satisfying, the Amazon belt made a big difference

[@12voltvids]

It's the width that makes the difference. I use the worst looking belt in the package too. I doubt many would complain about the sound quality. Sounded pretty good to me.

[@dtracy03ss]

By a Parts unit and put the old meters back in? That unit sounds pretty good, I've got a CT-A9X totally refurbished and Holey Cow is it Smooth and beautiful sounds are produced from the unit!

[@12voltvids]

Nah

[@zulumax1]

Have you thought of getting a wow and flutter meter? Techmoan found one and has used it in a few videos. I am looking for one myself, it is very hard to quantify differences by ear. I have most of the test tapes for cassette alignment still. I am surprised no one has made a phone app for wow and flutter tests.

[@MagicMaus29]

Not for a phone, but a computer - NAK T-100

[@zulumax1]

@@MagicMaus29 Windows platform I hope. I will look, thanks.

[@12voltvids]

Nope, never considered getting one. I really don't care what the measurement is. If I can hear it, then it's too high. I don't do enough repairs to justify it, and you know my next one could be my last. Not saying that it will, but one day I will just not be repairing anything. Don't know when that day will be. Could be tomorrow, could be next year, might be 10 years from now. I will keep doing this as long as stuff keeps showing up at my door, but eventually things will dry up for good. Vintage stuff is enjoying a comeback now, but that fad won't last forever. So I am not investing anything into new or used equipment, and putting every dollar into investments that will make me money for when I do put away my soldering iron for good and retire.

[@zulumax1]

@@MagicMaus29 For $25 it seems like it does a lot. I like the virtual analog meters, I hate watching digital readout digits count up and down to reach a null or peak. It also has histograms, Thanks...

[@MagicMaus29]

@@zulumax1 You are welcome. I've been using it for about a year now. First, parallel to my analogue measuring devices... now, almost exclusively when it comes to the adjustment of tape and cassette decks.

[@dtracy03ss]

You think a bit of the w+f could be coming from the belt wobble on the counter wheel, it's all Measurable? Never know Could you put a link to the meter you were using for the measurement of speed at the end and more? Thank you

[@12voltvids]

Don't care. Don't use tape

[@dtracy03ss]

@@12voltvids I meant so I could buy one!

[@butcharmstrong9645]

The recording sounded great.

[@lewismcphersonTXus]

It is still very good and will continue for eternity.

[@turtle_soda]

I replaced the belts but now the deck won’t play at all. It also won’t go ff or rewind. Any idea as to what may have happened?

[@12voltvids]

Didn't do it correctly.

[@From_the_mil]

What watch are you wearing Dave?

[@12voltvids]

It's an old solar powered radio controlled Casio in a stainless steel case. Very rare. I have been looking for another one for years. They just don't exist. There were plastic case versions but the metal case is quite rare. Had it for at least 20 years now.

[@tonyperek7292]

I remember that tape deck. That was a 200 dollar tape deck. It was a good one at that.

[@12voltvids]

Oh yes, I used the crap out of this thing. This is the second head in it, as I wore the first one out years ago. The head in it was from a walkman, and is not really a recording head, but it did record OK. I used this as a player in later years as I was recording on my newer Technics RSM285 or Teac V850

[@JasonHalversonjaydog]

back when i was in technical school learning the trades i got so many shocks they nicknamed me "sparky"! LOL worst one involved 120 volts while standing in a puddle of water, that one hurt!

[@12voltvids]

I have you beat. 4100 volts from the secondary of a mocrowave oven transformer, the DC side of the diode.

[@zulumax1]

@@12voltvids RF burn? My grandpa got a burn from a color TV arc that went in one side of his thumb, and exited the other side. Nasty burn, probably 25kV thereabouts.

[@12voltvids]

@@zulumax1 not rf, DC. Insulation on tool bad. Threw me across the shop.

[@tinicum54]

Adjusting belt tension on a 16mm Bell and Howell projector while it was running, tipped of the bench and the leads on the starter cap cut and wedged into my arm. Damn thing was still running.

[@eabernal]

Does anyone know what length that belt is? Need to have it replaced and don't want to buy the full kit.

[@12voltvids]

Measure it

[@eabernal]

@@12voltvids if it hadn't disintegrated, maybe I could :D But it did, so I come to you for help.

[@12voltvids]

@@eabernal I have gone over this in other videos what you do is you take a piece of string dental floss works great for this and you thread it around the path around the motor and flywheel and any other pulleys that the belt goes around on your tie it not super tight but you tie it so that there's no excess slack then you cut it and measure it and that will give you the size and either millimeters or inches however you want to measure it take that number deduct 10% and that becomes your belt size and for a cassette deck it will be probably an FBM plus whatever size you measured and calculated. FBM stands for flat belt medium width. The belt sizes are s 2mm m 4mm and l 6mm wide.

[@eabernal]

@@12voltvids this helps, thank you!

[@jd-xd1mg]

Think the Bar Graph could work in a RS-1700 Technics?

[@12voltvids]

Yes

[@jd-xd1mg]

Fantastic, Can you send me the links or websites that sell these LED Bar Graphs,l hadn't ny luck finding them,Thanks.

[@igendwoinmitteldeutschland]

Great Video Perfect. Greets of Germany/ Saxony

[@gavincurtis]

My Amazon belts arrived pre-wadded.

[@tonyperek7292]

The new belt made a big difference. That was back in the day when equipment was well built to last and was made to be fixed. it sounded much better and was simpler to set up and to operate. The latest technology does no good if the quality of workmanship is shoddy. If you don’t mind may I have your mailing address to send equipment to you for repairs please. Thank you.

[@12voltvids]

Contact me by email

[@tonyperek7292]

@@12voltvids would you please give me your Email address. Thank you.

[@lachlanlau]

What do you recommend for lubrication in tape decks?

[@12voltvids]

3 in 1 electric motor oil. Not the crap houshold oil, electric motor oil. It is pure virgin 20 wt, no detergents.

[@danmackintosh6325]

Haha, I would hazard a guess that the electrician wasn't long out of nappies? (The saying about old sparks, bold sparks but no old AND bold sparks)

[@12voltvids]

Actually he is 14 years older then I am.

[@peterferguson2344]

Never worry as nobody's soldering was perfect to begin with 🤔 Some of us were using crap soldering irons with tips that resembled a garden spade 🤣

[@12voltvids]

weller 150W gun.

[@lachlanlau]

Where do you get the screwdriver?

[@12voltvids]

Which one? The tiny turner? It is from my picquic set of screwdrivers (the orange ones) Made in Vancouver BC.

[@12voltvids]

Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon. picquic.ca/

[@zx8401ztv]

Well it's better than before :-D That belt is a bit rough and the capstan bearing isn't perfect but how far do you go?. Yes the meter replacement wasn't the best idea, but it can be reversed if it matters. I have lost frends too, i never forget them and there unique personality. We also remember the assholes in our lives too lol.

[@lesrogers7310]

I here that, especially the last part.

[@zx8401ztv]

@@lesrogers7310 "Know your enemy" lol. Sounds like an old army training film.

[@12voltvids]

Meters can't be reversed as the plastic cabinet between the meters was removed to put the LED meters in. No big deal, it isn't a used tape deck.

[@whodatdere1]

RP electronics (Circuit-test) is kind of gimmicky now. Does Mode electronics sell to the public out there?

[@12voltvids]

I have bought a few caps at rp lately. They don't have the stock they used to. More convient that. Lees for me though.

[@jockmattock9239]

nothing like that feeling LOL!!!!

[@bones007able]

Doesn't matter where you buy the belts... they are all Chinese crap ... whether you buy from Amazon or Wish ...

[@12voltvids]

At least they are better than the first batch that were all too thin and they aren't 40 or 50 for 1 or 2 in a "kit". When someone sends me a deck to change a belt they want it done for that so there is no way i am paying that for the parts.

[@Synthematix]

So you can imagine what a 250vAC at 32Amps would do to ya lol, about 1 in 100 survive it That pioneer may be a low end deck, but just compare it to the shit we have on the market today, in comparison its a rolls royce

[@12voltvids]

It all depends on how you are shocked. If the current doesn't cross heart then you will more likely just get a nasty electrical burn. A local tree pruner was but with 14,400 volts at a shitload of amps. He is known as captain hook now. Yes he lived but he lost an arm and a leg, literally. Yes he is still pruning trees believe it or not.

[@Synthematix]

@@12voltvids Haha captain hook