Review & "Restoration" of a Technics M218 Cassette Deck

[@sirdragonborn8846]

I just got one of these for around $40 off of eBay and am loving it. This video was great for learning some more about it.

[@vwestlife]

That's a lot more serviceable than the lower-end Panasonic/Technics decks of the era with the all-plastic cabinet. There are a lot of techniques (no pun intended) for "retrobrighting" yellowed plastic, none of which are guaranteed to work, and there have been reports of retrobrighting causing the plastic to become brittle, or the yellowing to return within a few years and become even worse than if you had simply left it alone.

[@Zimmy_1981]

would have been a sweet pun tho lol

[@Zimmy_1981]

great job on the purchase, speed adjustment & restoration. As for the yellowing on the plastic surrounds, use "bum spray" (I think u guys call it rattle can?) paint, if the can be disassembled from the unit, disassemble them, if not, use painters tape to mask off areas you don't want painted. If u want more details, feel free to ask. happy taping!

[@TheOriginalCollectorA1303]

Excellent studio quality grade setup, can’t get any better than this! Pretty cool cassette deck, Technics has some solid equipment and this is a nice example. Advanced enough to where it has nice features, but not too complex where it’ll break after one play. Sounds really good and it actually cleaned up really well! Surprising to see it still works with the old belts. For the plastics, you might be able to retrobright them (like with vintage computers) but I have no idea how effective it’ll be. I have a Technics deck that is newer, and it’s pretty good as well but I’ll definitely have to open it up one of these days.

[@outfield1988]

I just bought one.

[@chylogurti]

What a great video tutorial. I have a m215 running slightly slow. Did you turn the motor adjustment clockwise or anti clockwise? Keep up thegreat work. Respect from the UK

[@Will030890]

great video!! I know this is a long shot but Im looking for belts for this deck, you got a lead for me?

[@stereophonicstuff]

@@Will030890 I don’t, sorry. The belts in mine still have life left in them, but if the need should ever arise, I’d try my luck with one of those belt assortment variety packs that give you multiple sizes to choose from.

[@shepaug]

Oddly I find the WR-2 to be pretty good as to AM/FM reception. I have been into Radio all my life and a radio nut. No..not one of those audiophiles (?) Radio Communications. Sensitivity on stations received. There is so much junk junk junk out there as to radios I I Consider this radio to be AOK. FORGET MADE FOR AM as to most any radio sold these days.!! Sangean usually makes good radios. They were made in Germany but like everybody now in China. (but quality control at least supervised) You get the option of external antennas. (unusial for consumer radios) I agree too high priced now !! Made in China and prices ? AM nighttime the signals skip off the sky and travel long distances so that is the interference. Multiple stations fighting for the channel. Again. I think the radio is pretty good as to weak signal reception. Digital nice, Nobody listens to radio anymore BUT I'd rather turn on a radio vs. a phone and endless ads and notifications and everything to drive one nuts. 5 years just to start listening to a radio station. Since nobody listens to radio anymore it is a good time to buy such USED. Endless Sangean used and can be low prices simply because people think radio is dead. I bought numerous radios like the WR2 for $50 and under and some were only several years old.(by stickers on the radio) Speakers might wear out but electrical does not wear out except maybe after several decades. o--forgot..the death of AM RADIO ? #1 is electrical NOISE !! Nobody wants to listen to NOISE. Once the FCC enforced noise standards but thank CHINA and no noise protections and FCC gave up. NOISE ? That grrrrr brrrr Electrical noise. Do not hear such on FM as much higher frequency and FM. AM stations have to have a large transmit antenna and land to put such on. Now land can be worth a fortune and advertisements on your AM radio bring in a fortune ? Many Many AM'ers going under. Buy consumer radios 2024 and terrible junk out there and AM RADIO forget it. (spend money to design for that by manufacturer ?) Lucky to get a station a mile away !!! FM can be massive power and in urbal areas can swamp radio reception. I guess one rason some radios are kinda dead as to FM sensitivity. Sell radios that get overloaded ? If one wants good reception snoop for communications type radios..some call it DX.(long distance) Oddly many old car radios are excellent !!! Even new car radios can be excellent. Set one up in your hoise with a 12 volt power supply and a set of speakers and a simple whip antenna like on cars. Usually sounds excellent and sensitive. Made to be rugged.