Reel-to-Reel care?

From: Nico de Jong <nico_at_farumdata.dk>
Date: Wed Dec 10 06:52:51 2003

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brent Hilpert" <hilpert_at_cs.ubc.ca>


> On a similar note, can someone comment on the long-term prognosis of
9-track tape? Is it still being manufactured or is everyone that still uses
it relying on new-old-stock? Is the oxide coating stable if stored at the
proper temp./humidity or does it turn flaky/icky after a few years
regardless?
>
> (The tape that was left on this machine, once unwound a little ways,
sticks to itself slightly and as it goes through the drive an oxide goo
starts to build up which causes the tape to bind and chatter. Granted this
may all be a result of the environment the unit was stored in (an airplane
hanger I believe). )

To the best of my knowledge, the fabrication of 1/2" tapes has seized. The
last manufacturer was eMag, AFAIK. They are now even advertising a new
service : recertification of old/used tapes. They are also largely out of
stock now, with regard to new tapes.
It is my experience, that tapes start to desintegrate after 15-20 years,
even when stored properly. What you call "bind and chatter" is probably the
thing called "stitching", i.e. 2 layers of tape glued together. Bill King
has a solution for this, although it is very time consuming. He "bakes" the
tapes, after which the tape can be read once (and only once). He did that
for a customer of mine, who had a 20_25 year old tape he needed to read.

Nico
Received on Wed Dec 10 2003 - 06:52:51 GMT