A classic mistake?
Added 2024-09-09 19:03:32 +0000 UTCI’ve been spending a lot of time trying to fix up an old Sharp GF-9191 portable stereo radio cassette - here’s the video.
This took quite a while to record and almost as long to edit. Just out of interest I pulled all the footage I’d shot into one timeline and it ran over six hours long. The video still has a long running time but compared to how things started out, this version is positively a blipvert.
Since repairs are rarely a thrilling roller coaster ride, I’ve decided to focus on the process with this one. I’m hoping it’s like one of those three hour movies where nothing significant really happens but as it doesn’t offend, you just end up going along with it.
I trust your week is going well so far. If you’re in the UK I apologise for the recent weather. I bought an outdoor pizza oven the other week and ever since that arrived it’s not stopped raining.
Anyway have a good one and take care.
UPDATE
Taken another pass at the edit to clear up some confusing sections.
The new version is the one linked to and embedded above.
Comments
Wow, I just found a Loewe TC 424 (according to radiomuseum.org from 1979 or 1980) in almost pristine condition, at the trash! Completely the cliché looks, like your Sharp, even the VU-meters are there! Only already the fun of repairing it will probably have made it worth taking it home :-D
MrHammond
2024-09-16 15:53:39 +0000 UTCGreat video Mat. These are my favorites of the ones you do. I did what you are doing back in the late 70's when things were, as you say, at least able to be worked on. I remember taking apart and mending a great big Akai reel to reel machine...Keep up the good work!
Stewart Webb
2024-09-14 17:18:46 +0000 UTCGreat video, Mat. I've rebuilt and recalibrated dozens of cassette decks for myself and others over the years (mostly high end stuff) and you did quite well considering what you had to work with. The thing with modern replacement rubber parts is that they are not always made to the appropriate spec to serve in a tape deck. Most square belts don't matter so much, but capstan belts were made to a very high standard back in the day and I have found that modern replacements that happen to fit are not necessarily intended as capstan belts. These often introduce flutter. However that said, I feel pretty confident that you issue here is that makeshift idler tire. Automotive rubber tubing is not make to any real standard. The outside just has to be approximately round and the hole just has to be more or less in the center. All that said, I don't know what I would have done differently. Maybe try using silicone tubing, which tends to be a bit more precise and make very sure the ends are not running on the bushings at either end. Anyway, well done regardless!
Russ Knize
2024-09-14 13:24:43 +0000 UTCWow, all the years I've been collecting and suddenly up pops a form of media that I never knew existed. Thanks for that extra bit of Information Duncan. I think Matts viewers must be some of the best informed viewers for any given you tube content creator!!
Andrew Fletcher
2024-09-14 07:18:23 +0000 UTCAhahaaa 😁 I used to do the advertisement design work for a Bang & Olfsen dealer in Derby (years ago), and I went in one day just to talk some work over, the guy didn’t recognise me to start with and the first thing he said was ‘hello sir, are you here to buy or loiter’, followed by ‘if it’s the former, would you like to see our new cables just in this morning’ 🤣 Gotta love those audiophiles!! But yes, no worries, thought I’d ask. Actually really looking forward to it. I’m mostly about old tech - as I think I’ve made obvious, but I still like to know what’s out there. So I’m thinking, if I do enjoy this one, I may try to do one every 5 years. Not every year as tech doesn’t move that quickly, just brands sprinkling magic gold dust over existing models. Anyway, enjoyed your latest video. It’s the ‘Matts got to fix shit’ videos that I enjoy the most. Thanks Lee
Lee Coles
2024-09-13 09:58:29 +0000 UTCFabulous video - well done indeed, that was quite an odyssey for you. Managing to edit out the inevitable expletives is almost as impressive - or have you taught yourself not to swear when the mic’s on?
Roland Bogush
2024-09-13 09:30:06 +0000 UTCThats a kind offer, unfortunately I’ll have to decline it though as I’m not in the area. Although even when things like this have been more local I’ve stayed away. The last HiFi show I went to was possibly 15 years ago in Manchester and I was in and out in around half an hour. They tend to focus on the high end gear, which I can understand as the regular consumer end of the market has vanished…but that means there’s nothing left to appeal to me. I hope its better than the shows I remember and I also hope you enjoy it, just remember to say no to the gold plated optical leads.
Techmoan
2024-09-13 09:24:05 +0000 UTCMatt, I’m going to the ‘UK Hi-Fi Show Live’ at Ascot Racecourse next Saturday (21st) if you was up for it. First time I’ve ever been to anything like that, and going on my own. Lee
Lee Coles
2024-09-13 09:01:52 +0000 UTCGod I love old audio tech! Always looks so complicated, but if you just walk away from it for a bit, make a brew and then come back to it with a few diagrams… just get down and dirty… boom, sorted!! Cheers Matt.
Lee Coles
2024-09-13 08:58:02 +0000 UTCGood call, Andy! I first learned that trick about 30 years ago from a guitar repairman as a speedy fix for repairing worn nut slots. A single low slot would require delicately removing the old nut and fashioning an entirely new nut by hand. Adopting this method saved repair-people a lot of labor and thus saved customers money. Guitar repair suppliers even sell different colored powders to mix and match! https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/materials/nuts-and-saddles/nut-rescue-powder/
Patrick Walsh
2024-09-13 05:19:52 +0000 UTCI just checked a "dam" I made on the top of the bath. using Sugru about eight years ago. If anything it has gone slightly harder but still seems very robust.
Duncan
2024-09-12 17:45:23 +0000 UTCPhilips made MP3 players that would only play 8cm CDs. Although they would never advertise it I suspect they were designed so the Napster generation could put a dozen ripped albums onto one 8cm disc.
Duncan
2024-09-12 17:24:07 +0000 UTCI'd buy that for a dollar for that! Seriously, I would pay for a t-shirt with that on it.,
Dan Weiss
2024-09-12 17:09:22 +0000 UTCLove the max headroom verbiage
TOOLMAN TIM'S WORKSHOP
2024-09-12 03:01:23 +0000 UTCOne thing I noticed when you were putting this thing back together - one of the small white pulleys/wheels seems to be cracked (look at around 29:48 mark). I have a feeling that it will only get worse over time. Might want to put a bit of glue there, to at least slow down any further cracking and prevent it from fully disintegrating.
roli
2024-09-11 18:03:53 +0000 UTCThat’s very kind of you to offer, however I’ve already got a box of these (somewhere) in anticipation of a future video.
Techmoan
2024-09-11 12:01:16 +0000 UTCHi Mat. I've recently purchased a Sony D82, tou know the one , it only plays 8cm discs. Thing is the seller has sent me a load of blank 8cm CDRWs. I didn't even know you could ever have purchased these size discs. There can't be many of them about, so I wondered if you would like me to give you a couple for any up and coming future project you may undertake. Keep up the great xontent content. Andrew.
Andrew Fletcher
2024-09-11 10:17:58 +0000 UTCYes, that's true, all plastic...
MrHammond
2024-09-11 06:36:02 +0000 UTCExcellent video, loved every minute, thanks Mat.
Mav
2024-09-10 23:41:10 +0000 UTCThe key is to be patient and build the new plastic up in layers. A drop of glue, a dusting of baking powder, tap/blow/brush off the excess, repeat. When I think I've done more than enough, I shape the resulting hardened glob of defiance with my Dremel tool until it looks somewhat less alarming.
Andy Ihnatko
2024-09-10 21:56:27 +0000 UTCI have tried baking soda and superglue on something, I forget what and I don’t recall how well it went. I suspect not brilliantly given the memory lapse. For a job like this though, I thought it might be asking a bit much to recreate inch long missing pieces…but it might well have worked. If this situation arises again, I’ll try to remember to give it a go.
Techmoan
2024-09-10 21:35:00 +0000 UTCThere's a technique for repairing broken plastic that involves superglue and baking soda. Have you ever tried it? Whenever I'm faced with a problem like that broken plastic screw post (where the repaired plastic will be under stress and consequently just sticking the two halves back together won't last), I glue the part back together and then create a permanent "sleeve" of new plastic around the break using that technique. The result is like a broken arm in a cast. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll shape the hardened plastic with a file to smooth it out. You can use the same technique to build up a new plastic feature or profile if something's broken and completely missing. I most recently used that trick when one of the little flip-down feet on my Really Nice Mechanical Keyboard broke in two. It looks a little lumpier now but it's as strong as new. When you brought out the Sugru I thought about this technique. Unlike the putty, it doesn't deteriorate over time.
Andy Ihnatko
2024-09-10 21:30:03 +0000 UTCThe hole next to the mic input is in case you're using a microphone with a permanently attached remote plug. Even though the recorder doesn't make use of the remote plug, at least it allows you to use such a microphone, whereas if it only had the mic input, you wouldn't be able to plug it in.
VWestlife
2024-09-10 20:16:56 +0000 UTCGreat show, Mat. Very educational - it taught me that I would not have the patience to be arsed fixing something as fiddly as that. Good work.
Andrew Torrance
2024-09-10 20:02:37 +0000 UTCI think the mech hadn’t engaged properly and found itself between two positions. As for the W&F I’m leaving it as it is, as you point out, this type of mech isn’t ever going to be anything more than mediocre.
Techmoan
2024-09-10 19:23:17 +0000 UTCNicely done, congratulations! My own experiences from earlier days is that thing usually screwing up everything for me was the plastics breaking... In my childhood, I usually saw such devices where only the radio was still working. Maybe with some of the better techniques I know now (yes, by watching YouTube as well :-P) I might be able to repair such a devices. BTW: did you figure out what the problem was with the double speed? Maybe the huge W&F is due to that rubber tube not being installed perfectly... I never saw such a thing, usually the idler would just go on the metal...
MrHammond
2024-09-10 18:45:15 +0000 UTCI was really impressed by the quality of the editing. Told a thorough story, seamlessly jumping from one stage to another. Must have taken forever to achieve such a polished result. Brilliant!
Jonathan in London
2024-09-10 18:39:13 +0000 UTCNicely done update. Have a pint 🍺 and relax.
Grace Robbins
2024-09-10 17:33:00 +0000 UTCGood job for repairing it. I do not mind the longer video, I really enjoyed it. That last battery though... :)
Lehel Bernad
2024-09-10 16:53:02 +0000 UTCIt’s a good idea, unfortunately I won’t be able to return to this one at the moment, I’m a bit under the weather now…I think it’s all that editing. I need a couple of days to recover.
Techmoan
2024-09-10 16:06:28 +0000 UTCThis 48 minute video flew by quickly! This unit would match nicely with your Technics SL-6. Maybe a quick clip of the front phonos being used with this turntable will prompt viewers to watch those compact turntable videos too?
Rudy Rodriguez
2024-09-10 15:40:21 +0000 UTCNice video. Not sure I'd bother with the tape mech anymore. This is definately a nice object to look at and at least it plays. Actually it might have been sitting so long that just letting it play thru some tapes might rejuvenite it. Easy to do and maybe to worth a shot.
J Ruonti
2024-09-10 15:30:59 +0000 UTCWhen the title says a classic mistake I knew the belt needed replacing it's a nice looking cassette boombox I wonder if the Capacitors need replacing around the cassette mech
Ellis Garbutt
2024-09-10 13:21:33 +0000 UTCNo worries 😃
Grace Robbins
2024-09-10 12:29:41 +0000 UTCI’ve had to give up already - I realised I haven’t a clue when it was and scrubbing though the videos will miss it.
Techmoan
2024-09-10 12:27:00 +0000 UTCOh good - don't take too much time looking, I'm just glad my mind hasn't failed quite yet.
Grace Robbins
2024-09-10 12:22:41 +0000 UTCYes I do remember - I think it was one of my LED panels - I’ll see if I can find which one. As you can imagine it’s not a feature I’ve used since.
Techmoan
2024-09-10 12:20:10 +0000 UTCMat I have a niggling off-topic question that I posted in the community area - do you remember an Oddcast wherein you briefly showed a light device that flashed red/blue police car colors and you made a fun commentary about it? I could swear there was something like that but I can't find it. 🤔
Grace Robbins
2024-09-10 12:18:54 +0000 UTCI'd def buy one!
Rik Kershaw-Moore
2024-09-10 11:50:28 +0000 UTCWell, at least I know who's to blame for the weather! (And thanks for another great video).
Amro
2024-09-10 10:14:16 +0000 UTCThat’s pretty much it - perhaps I’ll need to go back and add in some of the other five hours of stuff that might help to flesh this part out - but yes that’s what happened it started working and it turns out it can play a tape with the front off.
Techmoan
2024-09-10 09:24:41 +0000 UTCVery enjoyable video again Mat and I personally enjoy the longer videos. I particularly enjoyed the “Symphony of Bee’s Knee’s” part way through the video!!!!
Mark Walsham
2024-09-10 09:15:48 +0000 UTCThat’s a great 4-band radio, and the recording from the stereo mics sounded excellent.
Matthew Hunt
2024-09-10 06:24:05 +0000 UTCThanks, great video. I have my old Philips d8814 in the bathroom, just for radio. Friends like to see it! I wouldn't dare to repair the tape mech, I lack Mat's patience. Ultimate Sugru repair, congrats.
CheeseParis
2024-09-10 06:11:02 +0000 UTCTaking some logical leaps based on context of the video, I thought: 1. It fixed itself; it got itself into gear. Sometimes it happens. 2. He initially thought he couldn't operate the tape without the door; later he discovered that he could. Editing is tough - deciding what to keep in and leave out without muddling can be difficult. It's like running against the wind ...
Grace Robbins
2024-09-10 06:04:29 +0000 UTCVery much enjoyed watching this video! Thank you! Two things I missed, I think it was not shown in video... 1. What was the reason it played doublespeed and muffled? How did you solve it? 2. At 40:03 it plays cassette without front panel, but earlier you said it can't do it without front panel. How did you manage to make it do it? )
Cyber
2024-09-10 05:54:16 +0000 UTCI feel like that could be a new T-shirt motto .. Techmoan - All the Wow, All the Flutter!
Derek Levesque
2024-09-10 00:17:38 +0000 UTCMy hearing must be going because I couldn't hear it with my TV volume 75% and powered speakers.
Grace Robbins
2024-09-10 00:06:35 +0000 UTCThankfully we all breathe - nothing to be concerned with!
Stephen Gozza
2024-09-09 22:54:59 +0000 UTCThere’s a lot of breathing that I wish were quieter - especially when it gets wheezy.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 22:47:31 +0000 UTCI never head that in the edit - well spotted.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 22:46:52 +0000 UTCI love these long in-depth videos about cassette tech. It's never something that's intrigued me enough to take one apart, but man is it interesting watching and listening to you do it. Something I really appreciate that I didn't notice how much I liked until recently is you don't do any noise removal on your mic and you don't have background music. (except the puppets and the gags, I know and love those too!) It really makes us feel like we're there, struggling with you, having internal theories, and feeling so satisfied when it's time to button back up, no matter how "successful" the repair was. Keep it up!
Stephen Gozza
2024-09-09 22:42:09 +0000 UTCThere’s no hope in getting that black gunk off a muppet - I struggle with hard plastic.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 22:17:55 +0000 UTCI’m not good with this thread stuff - but I also hadn’t seen that one before.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 22:17:01 +0000 UTCWonderful video, thoroughly enjoyable (and with audible cameo from The Bee's Knees at 18:16 🐱)
Martin Porcheron
2024-09-09 22:01:02 +0000 UTCA great video Mat You go through repair and you make it make sense and i never got bored once. A very good repair Mat. That was not easy at all well done. I have a hitachi trk-8290 Radio works well. But cassette does not work. This video gives me hope to repair mine.
MJFJ
2024-09-09 21:59:01 +0000 UTC*Sharp*Stressed*Man!! I didn't get it until after reading the comments--I need to pay closer attention to the thumbnails. Also missed that Bose Wave Good Buy one last week until a read through the comments pointed it out.
Mark Hesse
2024-09-09 21:46:05 +0000 UTCThat is odd, on the boombox. I think Mark may be referring to the Sharp logo/phrase I posted a pic of?
Grace Robbins
2024-09-09 21:45:04 +0000 UTCYou’ve got way better pizza available to you in minutes than anything I could make and so far it seems likely I’m going to be throwing away the fresh mozzarella I bought for use with this before I have a chance to use it. But yes it’s not a video topic - just something I fancied trying and I got it with a good discount on ebay.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 21:42:05 +0000 UTCI never realised until today that the text in that logo wasn’t centred
Techmoan
2024-09-09 21:39:24 +0000 UTCCool logo/aphorism from the fine folks at Sharp--haven't seen that one before👍
Mark Hesse
2024-09-09 21:38:14 +0000 UTCWobbly playback or not, I found the outcome of your repair work (and the process of getting there) very satisfying to watch. With a lot of patience you turned a broken, rattly and grimy device into a fine piece of 80s history that not only looks the part but is also usable again. Nice work!
Tunix
2024-09-09 21:35:42 +0000 UTCI could never picture myself attempting to do something like this. There are so many potential pitfalls that could ruin the process. You should feel extremely satisfied that you got it to work. I guess that's what makes it worth doing. Great video, Matt.
CrimsonPig808
2024-09-09 21:35:38 +0000 UTCWhile even unsuccessful repair videos are enjoyable to watch, it's always nicer to watch one with a happy ending🙂 Good work as usual Mat!👍
Mark Hesse
2024-09-09 21:35:05 +0000 UTCA couple of years ago, I bought a couple of old stereo tabletop radios from the early 1960s hoping to have a cool-looking vintage speaker outfitted with bluetooth tech, but after watching some videos on the topic, I just didn't have the ambition to learn how to do all that. And while one of them did have stereo phono inputs meaning all I had to do was plug in a bluetooth receiver, well, as Mat says, a modern bluetooth speaker will sound better anyway.
Mark Hesse
2024-09-09 21:32:09 +0000 UTCIt’s a very compromised mech - I don’t rate it at all - very poor design. Anything relying on friction can go and do one as far as I’m concerned - like those rim drive mini R2Rs from the 1960s - they’re just cheaply made toys trying to look like something more professional.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 21:28:12 +0000 UTCI did cut the capstan rubber down by about half because it didn’t fit properly to start with - but after assembling it all I found a piece of paper that said ‘don’t cut this rubber down any more than a few MM as it will slip down the capstan over time’ so I made sure the cutting segment wasn’t in the video to avoid creating a situation. As you can imagine there’s really no way to make a video like this without being wrong. But with this one, it’s done now and I’m done with it - I just wanted to make a video and I’m cross-eyed from looking at this thing every day for the last ten days - I need to focus on something that’s further away than two feet for a while.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 21:23:36 +0000 UTCLooks lovely, and an epic repair. As always, a very well put together video. There's a lot of rubber parts in that mech, and it only takes one to be slightly non-uniform to create the wow and flutter. If it's not Deck Tech or fixyouraudio, then the parts are likely to be a problem. It's getting harder and harder to find good quality requirements.
CBits Tech
2024-09-09 21:17:03 +0000 UTCYes it did - the mech was just stuck in the wrong position.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 21:15:29 +0000 UTCDid the tape player work properly from mains power eventually?
Rolfe
2024-09-09 21:12:31 +0000 UTCAs someone who’s fixed a GF9090 (identical tape mech) I have to say I enjoyed watching this video far more than fixing my own. The only two things I can think of (if you do decide to have another pop) are; - the tape head alignment screw - is the spring pulling the tyre onto the capstan rubber with enough force? - is the capstan rubber too long and therefore slightly catching on something inside (I’m sure mine was only as large as the hole) Whether you decide to have another look or not - cheers - I really enjoyed this one.
Jake Meyrick
2024-09-09 21:06:04 +0000 UTCI can just imagine the mess that Jr. would create.
Grace Robbins
2024-09-09 20:52:21 +0000 UTCHope to see that pizza oven in a video soon! I dream for one of those but, alas, no space for one here in New York City.
Colin Bartlett
2024-09-09 20:49:55 +0000 UTCThey do - but if it’s Bluetooth playback I need, I’d be using something else. While it’s fine - it’s not a match on a decent modern bluetooth speaker - or my Bose Wave.
Techmoan
2024-09-09 20:32:29 +0000 UTCI yelled "the capstan is not touching the roller with necessary force!" at the end... which is not something normal people ever say. I apologize for yelling as well. Fun, nerdy video.
John Aprigliano
2024-09-09 20:31:23 +0000 UTCFantastic repair! I know some would undersell this as a "simple belt replacement", but the disassembly of those old brittle plastic components is not for the faint of heart. Your skills, dexterous care, and thoughtful attention to detail in cleaning and restoration is evident. Keep up the great work!
Callan Christensen
2024-09-09 20:26:28 +0000 UTCA solid looking machine - good to see the tweeters seem real and not just a plastic moulding! Without cheating too much, do some kind of bluetooth/microSD cassette adapters not exist? So it wouldn't be affected by the speed variation but would at least give a cassette feel to playback.
Jimmy Mounsey
2024-09-09 20:24:37 +0000 UTCYes. 😉
Grace Robbins
2024-09-09 20:18:15 +0000 UTCBetter be careful -- every girl's crazy 'bout a video like this... But absolutely great show -- I could watch stuff like this all day. It's like seeing someone put a 3-D jigsaw puzzle together, or getting to see the secret parts of a magic trick. Thanks.
MM
2024-09-09 20:14:20 +0000 UTCGreat video as always. I did wonder with it being 40 years old whether it would be worth changing out some of the caps? Probably not worth the time and effort though if it's just going to go in to storage? It would have been nice to see/hear it used with a record player as it's got the phono stage. Would make for a good alternative retro setup. Maybe that's a future video - 'What to hook your record player up to'.
Steven harris
2024-09-09 20:11:22 +0000 UTCI still think it's a cracking result in the end, miles better than a dirty example that doesn't work at all. The broken plastic towers gave me flashbacks to the Smart Roadster Coupe rear window fixings that would break in the same way.
Matt Tester
2024-09-09 20:06:45 +0000 UTCA repair video - I love these so much. • Your dedication to getting each element (not just the drive belt) in the best working order is commendable. • '...should lift out from the carcass' is an appropriate dissection dialogue. • 'Give it a good blast.' Boomblasted ✔️ • tyre replacement ✔️ • A fear of floppy VU meters flippin' out. 🫨 • excellent idea using the screwdriver as a sugru template • the cleaning, all of it, was very satisfying • damn, wish ZZ Top was caught on the radio during the demo Nicely done video. Please send your power over the weather and make it autumn at my locale. Take care. 🤍 Edited: oh, remember that the sharp eye is quicker than the hand. https://ibb.co/7gB0t82
Grace Robbins
2024-09-09 20:05:18 +0000 UTCThe influence of your pizza oven purchase must have been delayed and reduced by distance, on my side of the Pennines it's only been raining on and off for 2 days. I much enjoyed the long form repair though.
David Peaker
2024-09-09 19:59:52 +0000 UTCI'd buy that for a dollar. (I know blipverts were Max Headroom and the other was RoboCop but they go well together. )
Earl Plotner
2024-09-09 19:25:22 +0000 UTCSharp Stressed Man 😘😄 loved that Eliminator ZZ Top Album, I even have the limited red record.
Grace Robbins
2024-09-09 19:08:38 +0000 UTCNext step: the puppets do the repair.
Timothy Roller
2024-09-09 19:06:53 +0000 UTCAh, so the weather's been crap AND the price of outdoor pizza ovens is going to shoot through the roof as well now? Thanks a lot! 😄
Pete Hepple
2024-09-09 19:06:34 +0000 UTC
