caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX) (11/07/90)
My TS-11 tape drive uses a rubber O ring to secure the tape supply reel. This ring stretches over time, making it hard to install and remove reels of tape. I don't know how hard it is to find a fresh O ring, but I think I have devised an alternative. Simply remove the O ring from the reel assembly when the drive is not in use. This helps the O ring regain its youthful dimensions. Preliminary results demonstrate a 69 per cent in the number of oaths required to mount and dismount tape reels. A welcome change as orders for the new VMS rx/sx/rb/sz/rz/sz with wild cards, Crash Recovery, VMS file format support, etc. seem to be picking up. Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX ...!tektronix!reed!omen!caf Author of YMODEM, ZMODEM, Professional-YAM, ZCOMM, and DSZ Omen Technology Inc "The High Reliability Software" 17505-V NW Sauvie IS RD Portland OR 97231 503-621-3406 TeleGodzilla:621-3746 FAX:621-3735 CIS:70007,2304 Genie:CAF
alo@kampi.hut.fi (Antti Louko) (11/09/90)
In article <44@omen.UUCP> caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX) writes: >My TS-11 tape drive uses a rubber O ring to secure the tape >supply reel. This ring stretches over time, making it hard to >install and remove reels of tape. >I don't know how hard it is to find a fresh O ring, but I >think I have devised an alternative. Simply remove the O ring >from the reel assembly when the drive is not in use. This >helps the O ring regain its youthful dimensions. Years ago, our TS-11 had the same problem. I suggested our DEC serviceperson to replace the O-ring. He said the ring is OK, it just needs some lubrication with silicone oil (one which doesn't harm any plastic or rubber parts). He sprayed some oil into the ring, wiped the extra away oil with a cloth and after this magic the mechanism worked like charm. I wouldn't have dreamed to put any OIL into a place which seems to need friction. DON'T use petroleum based oil because it can ruin the O-RING permanently. Use only oil made for rubber and plastics. Antti