What does a cassette capstan do and what causes tapes to play fast?

I have the Sony TC-FX2 and the motor is working fine for now but I would like to know where you bought a replacement motor for your deck.

Why is my capstan frosted color, compared to others that are silver? Its on a Teac deck

I know this is an old video but can you make a video on how to oil/lube a tape deck. I have a Sony tc-fx2 with the same issue where the mechanism seized and pinch roller won’t engage with the capstan

Great video. Really well and easily explained. Thank you. Got technics ch950 and 550 with problems. Can I pm you at all? Thanks again

so helpful..tq

Appreciate this explanation! I have a Onkyo TA-TW470 and it allows you to play back in forward or reverse. My understanding is that there are two capstans in each tape deck. It's currently only functional for rewind/fast forward so I suspect the issue is with the capstan belts. Would you happen to know if I need to replace 2 or 4 belts for this type of build? The old belts have all melted so I have no reference.

Your way of teaching is very nice

Learnt the basics of tape transport today of your video! Thanks! Used cassettedecks in the 80s/90s and now back because I'm into the market for a reel2reel tapedeck. Thanks!

I have two of these exact tape decks. When I press the play button the head does not go up to play the tape. Everything else seems to work. Any ideas? Where can I get it fixed?

I got told that the pinch roller that cause the cassette tape move faster and I just can't understand the concept until I see you video. Thank you and thank you. You keep it simple and stupid (KISS) which is the best way to explain thing to my level (newbie). In addition to the video, it would be nice to tell or indicate the bad pinch roller (why it is bad etc.) and how to fix it (sand paper?). Also, is that way to test the capstan motor just in case that it isn't the pinch roller issue? My deck is Sony TC-WR90ES. The motor has 4 or 5 wires and it uses 12v.

Again this video is a very good/excellent video for my education. Thank you.

I have an issue with my Jensen player/recorder where it will both record and play back slowly. It’s barely noticeable but it makes everything kind of sound discordant. Based on the other comments I assume I have to open it up and adjust the motor and see if that works? If not, would the solution be similar to the solution in this video? Thank you!

If the slow speed is a constant speed, then it is likely to be the motor speed, and the adjustment pot on the motor (if t has one) would be the first thing to try. There may be a speed adjustment on the circuit board. If the slow speed is not constant, and is fluctuating (noticeable when a steady tone is played back) then it is more likely to be either bad capstan belts or worn/dirty capstan roller.

I am just learning about cassette decks and have a Sharp GF 6060 i think it is just the 2 rubber belts and Thank you for the simple diagram now i know the fast of the tape works.

How fast does the take up reel run compared to the normal speed when a tape is inserted? Mine spins around 4x quicker than normal play speed without a cassette in it. Isn't that alot of strain on the idler motor fighting the capstan which is running slower? Tascam 133

Many thanks for this video. I wonder if you can assist with my old stereo cassette deck from the early eighties please. Power comes on but Can’t open the deck door - eject button doesn’t work. But because there is an intermittent clicking sound this until that is cured / fixed I won’t be able to open the door

Thank you so much for the video. I have a tascam 688 and the playback is very very fast. I have replaced the pinch roller and the capstan belt, also checked that the capstan and the pinch roller move correctly, but the problem is still there... Do you think it may be a problem of the capstan motor

I bought a 1980s Sharp QT-V40(R) cassette player from U.S to Australia, i am using step-down 110 volt transformer, the radio works correctly but when i press Play on the cassette deck it runs fast and i can hear a loudy ticking noise from the motor area it is same noise when i press RW or FF (I have not open it up yet ) Just looking for anyone help or suggests?

Brilliant and concise explanation of the drive system.
Thank you

Idk if youre getting comments on this video..

Greetings
I record the frequency of 3000 Hz with the deck and the frequency is not stable during playback.
What could be the reason? Thank you

Supa-helpful and interesting video. I'm trying to get an old 1972 Akai GXC-46 going again, it was running great then just started to go a a bit 'warbly' and speed would fluctuate on the slow side. I've replaced the belts but I don't think the new ones are any good. They are square and the original was flat plus too tight I thinks? Replaced the run-cap still no change. I'm going to simpy try some 3-in-1 Oil now on a few bearings and see if that help's. These machines are 50 years old and were (usually) never serviced. The '46' is an amazing deck because unlike the more common '46-D' it has a built in amplifier and 2 x speaker terminals on the rear.

can worn out or dirty capstan roller cause some decks to randomly stop during playback?

Very helpful for every folks out here internet easy to understand to everyone content easily explained. 👍

You really helped me to understand the tape deck, great diagrams.

what is the little needle sticking out? I messed around with loop cassettes and now this needle is sticking out and it doesn’t play right

"Let me show you my deck"

What do you do if the take up reel is frozen?

Thank you for this educational video

Mine doesn't play unless I half press the play button if I push it all the way down it stops spinning

Is this Alex ANT?

My capstan motor has an adjustment hole but I can’t tell what’s going on in there. It’s at an awkward angle and I don’t feel anywhere for a screwdriver. It feels kind of springy and I’m afraid to mess with it too much. It’s playing like half a cent too fast

Thank you. This is one of the best cassette deck videos I have seen on YT. Excellent video.

I have an issue with the left reel it’s not spinning I sprayed some CRC on both reels and the play works and rewind but the fast forward does not spin ?

Hi!. I'm using Beosound Century (the deck is made by Philips WT01 RER 5. When i push PLAY button, the HEAD did not move up to touch the TAPE. I don't know how to fix it? Would you please tell me what's happended? and how to fix it? Thks!

Thanks for the video, just curious though. If the tape comes through at a fixed rate per second, and the diameter of the take up spool changes from ~2cm to ~6cm, how is it able to take up slack at the correct rate when the circumference is 3x bigger? If it's going much faster than it needs to, and the tape holds it back, there's permanent strain on both tape and motor. Then you said you had the same motor for both, with a belt, but again, then the speed of both is linked, I don't understand how that works...

Crucial find,is to learn about rubber roller barrel shape. If its shape is wrong, it may eat tapes and start to railroading them. Skeewing, Then tapes fly ina bin.

I have a twin cassette player that plays ok but but won't rewind or fast forward .it's auto stop . As opposed to auto reverse. Any body any ideas?

Related question. What is the name for the widget that fits in the middle of the cassette reels? Need one for a Pioneer and never had one "go bad" It just friction fits on. TIA

Thank you! I've experienced some problems with my tape deck and this helped me to narrow things down. Very informative!

It's not called a capstan roller, it's called a spindle....and the pinch roller compresses the tape against it when play is selected.

Excellent and very helpful video. Thanks! I'm still trying to see if this info helps explain the case where the tape plays too slowly instead of fast.

Thanks! Too slow is going to be capstan related. Either the motor driving it or its not spinning freely. Might need removing, cleaning and lubricating.

Brilliant! Now if you can make a video on auto-stop. Why my tape player works for a few seconds (play/fwd/rwd) and stops is beyond me.

What’s causing my tapes to snap? Could it be the old pinch rollers on my cassette deck?

This actually helped me understand the capstan/spindle interaction in VHS which I couldn't find online. Thank you so much for the detailed explanaition!

Thank you friend. Finally I know the problem that occurred in my wm fx353. I cleaned the rubber roller repeatedly with paint thinner and the problem was cured.

Very helpful video -- thank you!