KLUDGE@AGCB1.LARC.NASA.GOV (10/16/90)
This is an excellent idea and works well on tapes which are not shedding their oxide. One problem that also occurs is that the tape just plain loses its lubrication, and relubricating the tape by running a light silicone oil across both sides is almost essential. For tapes which are losing oxide, this will also reduce the loss in the short run, but will make it much worse in the long run; do this only to make an emergency copy of the tape. The other standards, like using felt pads and cardboard to reduce tape curl problems by making an emergency pressure pad, and taking a can of freon to the leading edge of the tape head continuously while the tape is running to reduce buildup of oxide flake, these are still good ideas. Compressed air won't damage the environment as much but if you use it make sure it's oil free. --scott Many thanks for the comments on the KT88 problems. Heating the pins seems to have helped, and using Tweek on everything electronic (including the backplane of my old PDP-11) is always a good idea.