radio and clock

[zipgun]

I can't take it to bits that much !! I hope its just the belt I can't find a way into it yet, there isnt any visible screws...,well there are 2 , but i dont think they hold the bottom on so i'm a bit reluctant to unscrew them..

[TerryG]

Why not? Taking it to pieces is easy. It's putting it back together again that is difficult

[JPB]

Nah, it's easy too, in fact it's what digital cameras were invented for! Take loads of pictures from every angle at every stage and you can't go wrong.

[zipgun]

I'm in ! The belts have melted,not hard , they're just like treacle ...bit of a mess really I've bin stitched up again..

[JPB]

Not a problem. Measure their runs with a bit of string and I'll get a set to you. There'll be a flat belt that runs on the crown of the motor and the rim of the flywheel, a square or round one that runs from the flywheel back to the idler hub and a counter belt if the machine has a counter. The idler tyres and the pinch roller may also be softening so if they're all ok get them out and soak them in glycerine overnight to prevent any further deterioration and make them usable.

That's option one, option two is stick a bunch of your postie's finest rubber bands on it then get it back on eBay while it runs.

[zipgun]

Das awful kind fella , N2204 belts are still listed on ebay 6 quid ish. What does this goo disolve in ? Acetone, cellulose or white spirit ? or water What makes it go like this anyway, heat ? I thought it woulda just gone hard and brittle

[suffolkpete]

This thread brings back memories, I've still got one of those, plus the car mounting kit. Not sure what state it's in though.

[JPB]

Das awful kind fella , N2204 belts are still listed on ebay 6 quid ish. What does this goo disolve in ? Acetone, cellulose or white spirit ? or water What makes it go like this anyway, heat ? I thought it woulda just gone hard and brittle

The best and - least harmful way - to clean it away is to use contact spray, Maplin sell a Servisol one (not S10, which includes lubricant and you don't want that) but the cheapest and most effective is the Halfords one at £4 for a much larger can.
You may have to pull the capstan bearings to get all of the molten rubber out though, not too difficult with some BA sockets and a decent pair of Moles.
Soak the bearings in (non-EP) gear oil overnight - as you would with any Oillite bushes - before pressing them back into their block.

The belts go that way as a result of people killing their equipment with kindness. Far too much of the wrong sort of head cleaning chemicals eventually do this. I have a big JVC that I've owned from new and that's never had any unsuitable substances in about at its rubbers, consequently it still plays, fast winds, searches and cues at the right speeds, just as LL Cool J would want it to do.