Re: [ARSCLIST] Preservation Reformatting Issue: Cassette Tapes Separating from Reels

[Parker Dinkins <parker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You re-shell old cassette tapes broken at the leader or spool into a modern
cassette shell, using the modern shell's leader-reel connections.

You'll need cassette splicing tape and a cassette splicing block.

Buy a modern TDK, Maxell, etc. cassette and open it with a Phillips set
screwdriver. Carefully open the shell, and leave the bottom half containing
the unused tape and leader in place.

Now open the shell containing the broken cassette tape. This may be more
difficult if there are no screws at the top of the shell. If the shells are
glued in place, then you must work open the cassette using a set screwdriver
or knife in the upper right and left corners, until the shell pops open. Be
careful not to damage the tape inside, since you only want to pop open the
shells which are held together by glue, and not harm the tape itself.

Put them side by side, and note the tape path on the new shell.

Carefully remove the good cassette tape out at the break of the old
cassette, leaving the leader attached to the good reel of the old shell.

Put the broken cassette tape reel in the new shell. Splice the broken
cassette's tape to the leader of the new shell leader. It might help to
temporarily place a short 'U' of splicing tape around the old reel, so it
won't unwind while you are working. Remove that tape when you're finished.

Carefully thread the old cassette tape into the same path that the modern
cassette tape shell had.

Typically, these tapes separate when rewound hard against the supply reel,
not when they run out or are fast forwarded to the end of the takeup reel
side.

Close up everything in the new shell, using the Phillips set screwdriver.

Now, if you're not confident about the connection to the other end of the
reel, just re-open the cassette and use the modern cassette's leader and
reel to make that connection.

This is a lot easier than it sounds.

You do need the cassette splicing tape and a cassette splicing block,
though.
--
Parker Dinkins
MasterDigital Corporation
Audio Restoration + CD Mastering
http://masterdigital.com
 


on 8/3/07 3:22 PM US/Central, Hendrickson Paige Ctr AEDC/IIA at
Paige.Hendrickson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I am currently working on reformatting a collection of audiotapes that
> are approximately 20-30 years old, and they have not been kept in a
> climate-controlled environment until recently.  During this process, on
> about 30 of these cassettes the tape has separated from the reel.  What
> would your recommendation be for the information on the tapes to be
> salvaged and then reformatted still?  Can the tape be affixed back on
> the reels without too much damage, and how would that be accomplished?
> 
> I have consulted several books on preservation and many websites, but
> none of them address this particular problem.
> 
> Thank you in advance for your assistance, Paige
> 
> A. Paige Hendrickson, MSIS
> Archivist
> AEDC Archives
> 430 Second Street
> Arnold AFB, TN 37389-4200
> Phone: 931-454-3632
> Fax: 931-454-7161
> DSN: 340-3632
> paige.hendrickson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>