Rust on tape heads

From: John Lawson <jpl15_at_panix.com>
Date: Tue Aug 31 18:17:16 2004

>>>>>> "pzachary" == pzachary <pzachary_at_sasquatch.com> writes:
>
> pzachary> remove the rust, rather than waiting for it to get worse, a
> pzachary> very fine scotchbrite pad will do. Then coat it with a
> pzachary> protectant, heavy,inert grease (cosmoline). I don't think
> pzachary> the heads are chemically sensitive.


   No No No Pleeeeeeease nooooooo! unless your purpose is to 'decomission'
that particular headstack... ;{}

   From my years of professional audio experience, including many pieces of
gear restored and miles of media transfered - a truly *rusty* head
assembly can sometimes be saved by removing it (implies you can replace it
and re-align it) and using a strip of linen and some jeweller's rouge in a
bit of mineral oil - used very judiciously, and certainly mindful of the
VeryVery small space between the pole faces (the head gap). But I've seen
very few actually "rusty" heads because most aren't made of materials that
rust. I have cleaned my share of decades-old crusted-on accumulations of
oxide and binders and whatnot - sometimes with a microscope and dental
tools.

  I had at one time the materials to re-lap heads - a precision plate,
holding fixtures, and a dial guage - but I just send 'em out now, let
folks that do it for a living restore them....

   Leave the ScotchBrite for what ot does well: post-dinner lasagna...


  Cheers

John
Received on Tue Aug 31 2004 - 18:17:16 BST