audiomaster
Well-known Member
Demagnetizing.
You need a head demagnetizer. It plugs in the wall and uses the 60 Hz current to remove the residual magnetic buildup from heads and guides.
It will have two tips or poles that do the work. They should have soft rubber ,or plastic covers, or tape over them to protect the heads from scratches. When you bring it close to steel you will feel it vibrating slightly when on.
1. Remove any tapes at least 4-5 feet from the machine. Be sure the power is off on the machine or even better, unplug it.
2. With the demagnetizer several feet away from the machine. plug in the demagnetizer. Slowly (everything from now on you do slow motion) bring the demagnetizer tips in contact with each guide and each head for a few seconds and then slowly move it away to the next part. Work from left to right along the tape path. Do all the heads, not just playback. When finished, bring the demagnetizer away from the machine several feet before you turn it off.
3. Also use it the same way to remove any magnetism from any screwdrivers, tools, or razor blades you use to work near the machine. You don't need to do metal reels as they are aluminum or plastic and non magnetic.
4. If a head or guide is badly clogged from using tape with sticky shed syndrome, you can apply a little alcohol with a swab and demagnetize it while wet. This will loosen any oxide in the gap.
5. After demagnetizing the machine, do a thorough cleaning with the alcohol as you will probably have some lose particles in the tape path that the demagnetizer pulled out.
Now how do you know the process worked? There are small hand held magnetometers that can read it. Not sure who makes one now but R B Annis Co used to make them, and may be available used.
That's about it. Somebody chime in if I missed anything. Be fanatical about keeping your machine and tape path clean.
You need a head demagnetizer. It plugs in the wall and uses the 60 Hz current to remove the residual magnetic buildup from heads and guides.
It will have two tips or poles that do the work. They should have soft rubber ,or plastic covers, or tape over them to protect the heads from scratches. When you bring it close to steel you will feel it vibrating slightly when on.
1. Remove any tapes at least 4-5 feet from the machine. Be sure the power is off on the machine or even better, unplug it.
2. With the demagnetizer several feet away from the machine. plug in the demagnetizer. Slowly (everything from now on you do slow motion) bring the demagnetizer tips in contact with each guide and each head for a few seconds and then slowly move it away to the next part. Work from left to right along the tape path. Do all the heads, not just playback. When finished, bring the demagnetizer away from the machine several feet before you turn it off.
3. Also use it the same way to remove any magnetism from any screwdrivers, tools, or razor blades you use to work near the machine. You don't need to do metal reels as they are aluminum or plastic and non magnetic.
4. If a head or guide is badly clogged from using tape with sticky shed syndrome, you can apply a little alcohol with a swab and demagnetize it while wet. This will loosen any oxide in the gap.
5. After demagnetizing the machine, do a thorough cleaning with the alcohol as you will probably have some lose particles in the tape path that the demagnetizer pulled out.
Now how do you know the process worked? There are small hand held magnetometers that can read it. Not sure who makes one now but R B Annis Co used to make them, and may be available used.
That's about it. Somebody chime in if I missed anything. Be fanatical about keeping your machine and tape path clean.