Xris

My Nakamichi tape deck died, and so I got a replacement belt and idler wheel tire for it. That didn't fix it. Internet searches suggested that corrosion in the cam motor was the most likely culprit.

Today I took it apart, opened up the cam motor, used a wire brush Dremel attachment and some Deoxit, and got it cleaned up. Put it all back together and it actually works! It was a frustrating process, with lots of tiny little parts, but gosh it's nice to have a functioning tape deck again.

Mar 22 at 8:10pmWeb
Show threadicasticoMar 22

@benthos

Good for you. They are the best decks.

I was just contemplating whether to open up my old Nakamichi as it won’t rewind. Mine is much older than your by appearance - so it may be straight forward. But I have such clumsy fingers for that kinda work.

Show threadXrisMar 22

@icastico If it's just a rewinding issue, then it could be a problem with the idler wheel tire not making sufficient contact. (If it was the cam motor, you'd have no movement at all - as in my case.)

This is one relatively simple fix for idler wheel issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCD7hSMuqYg

It's possible to replace the idler wheel tire altogether from the front, but reconditioning might do the trick.

Nakamichi BX - 150. An easy fix for a common problem with vintage Nakamichi Cassette Decks.

YouTube
Show threadicasticoMar 22

@benthos

I’ve got a 480. Looks like it might be trickier.

Show threadDan Kletter 🥑Mar 22
@benthos 💪
Show threadBrian SullivanMar 22

@benthos So what do you use the deck for?

I have a Nakamichi 670ZX sitting in a closet idle for probably 15 years. I can't think of a practical use.

Show threadXrisMar 22
@briansullivan Listening to cassettes! I sometimes buy new cassettes, mostly things on Bandcamp. Despite the obvious sonic limitations, cassette tapes are analog, and they can sound pretty good on a good deck.
Show threadBrian SullivanMar 22
@benthos So no recording? Just already recorded tapes? If my memory serves me correctly commercial cassettes were generally pretty lo-fi.
Show threadXrisMar 22
@briansullivan They go at 1-&-7/8s inches per second, so half the speed of the slowest reel-to-reel tape. It definitely impacts the sound quality, but there are some good sounding cassettes out there. I have a series of Philips classical tapes that have surprisingly good dynamics. #cassettes #CassetteCulture
Show threadGeorge Liquor, AmericanMar 22
@briansullivan @benthos lmk if you become interested in parting with that little fella !