Keeping my bearings straight(s)...

[Deleted User]

Hello,
In working on tape decks I like to replace the motor bearings, if possible. I found this great bearing packing device and thought I'd share an example of beautiful craftsmanship.
Cheers, Ken

pitdogg2

That looks very nice Ken.

On bearings like that (looks like skateboard bearings) can't you just stick the end of the tube into the race and squeeze? I have some old bullseye grease in a tube(from BMX days) and that tube end fits perfectly into the race leaving one seal on I can squeeze and turn at the same time to completely fill it up replace other seal and rotate seems to work well.

how much is that little doohickey? I agree on the craftsmanship more than a little time went into that.

[Deleted User]

That is an SKF 608 bearing for an early version of a Revox A77 capstan motor, 8mm, 22mm, 7mm open sides. Yes, it sure does look like a skate board bearing. I wanted to get a really even distribution of grease around the bearing cage and in doing a little research on people who refurbish classic fishing reels found this device. The one on the left is for standard bearing sizes and the one on the right is for metric sized bearings. The complete kit, including five different sized needle attachments for lubricating into fittings and shipping was $60.00.

brgman

Where did you get the bearing Ken?

[Deleted User]

From this source:

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/

Ken

pitdogg2

WOW I had visions that it was much more costly than that..

[Deleted User]

Well, if they were intended for audiophile use they would be.

brgman

Let me know next time.
Hence the name-brgman-i've been selling industrial equipment for 25 yrs.
We are down to about our last 4,000 608's though so you better hurry.

F1nut

Nifty device you got there Ken.

Don't let megasat16 see this thread though, he'll want to know if it was made on a CNC and if you are working in a clean room.

[Deleted User]

Ah, bearing man, now I get it. Do you have the SKF 608-2ZTN9-C3 version? These are used in the spooling motors for the A77. Do you mind if I ask some questions?
Thanks, Ken

brgman

I'll check that one
I charge by the hour.Fire away.

brgman

those are probably about 7 bucks.Maybe less.
I have over 3000 in the company around the USA.
The C3 is the clearance and it's standard motor clearance.Most part numbers call out if it is NOT C3 since that is the standard.C,C1,C2 etc.
The TN9 is also from back when polyamide cages were new.Use to all be stamped metal or bronze but when they switched they called this out for a while.
now you'd need to request metal cages and they don't do it this small any longer.At least not the big guys.

gimpod

F1nut wrote: »

Nifty device you got there Ken.

Don't let megasat16 see this thread though, he'll want to know if it was made on a CNC and if you are working in a clean room.

Jesse of course it has to be made in a clean room on a CNC! :razz:

The real question is what kind of CNC?, router, sprinkler, spinning wheel ? :razz:


Al kidding aside Ken what kind of grease are you using & wouldn't it be just as easy to pack them by hand. It is a nifty looking device.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, brgman, when the Revox PR-99 was developed, which was the professional cousin of the B77, Studer went with carbide bearings. In terms of lowest friction, longevity, lowest noise and cost not being much of a factor what, in your opinion, would be the best possible bearings to use?

Hi gimpod, I've bought Lucas X-Tra heavy duty grease, NLGI #2, but can certainly use something else. To answer your question, I tend to be extremely "focused" (some would say anal retentive) when I'm building anything to do with my system. Maybe it's the German side of my heritage, who knows. The Revox A77 has an almost legendary reputation for reliability, especially the motors. There was an A77 that was used 24/7/365 in a studio for 6 years, constantly and while the record/playback heads were completely worn when Revox examined the motors, they were in perfect shape. No wear.
So, in rebuilding this particular unit that was in really bad shape I want to learn everything I can about bringing it back to the day it was built.

Ken

brgman

Kenneth Swauger wrote: »

Thanks, brgman, when the Revox PR-99 was developed, which was the professional cousin of the B77, Studer went with carbide bearings. In terms of lowest friction, longevity, lowest noise and cost not being much of a factor what, in your opinion, would be the best possible bearings to use?

Hi gimpod, I've bought Lucas X-Tra heavy duty grease, NLGI #2, but can certainly use something else. To answer your question, I tend to be extremely "focused" (some would say anal retentive) when I'm building anything to do with my system. Maybe it's the German side of my heritage, who knows. The Revox A77 has an almost legendary reputation for reliability, especially the motors. There was an A77 that was used 24/7/365 in a studio for 6 years, constantly and while the record/playback heads were completely worn when Revox examined the motors, they were in perfect shape. No wear.
So, in rebuilding this particular unit that was in really bad shape I want to learn everything I can about bringing it back to the day it was built.

Ken

There are a few ways to go but too expensive probably.There is a solidlube that is great but out of the picture in pricing due to minimum orders.I can see if there is and ABEC 5 OR 7 in this size.This is an ABEC 1.The higher the ABEC the higher preiion,quieter etc.I'll see what's around.

deronb1

Thanks for helping me get to sleep guys

brgman

Kenneth Swauger wrote: »

Thanks, brgman, when the Revox PR-99 was developed, which was the professional cousin of the B77, Studer went with carbide bearings. In terms of lowest friction, longevity, lowest noise and cost not being much of a factor what, in your opinion, would be the best possible bearings to use?

Hi gimpod, I've bought Lucas X-Tra heavy duty grease, NLGI #2, but can certainly use something else. To answer your question, I tend to be extremely "focused" (some would say anal retentive) when I'm building anything to do with my system. Maybe it's the German side of my heritage, who knows. The Revox A77 has an almost legendary reputation for reliability, especially the motors. There was an A77 that was used 24/7/365 in a studio for 6 years, constantly and while the record/playback heads were completely worn when Revox examined the motors, they were in perfect shape. No wear.
So, in rebuilding this particular unit that was in really bad shape I want to learn everything I can about bringing it back to the day it was built.

Ken

VPI uses a synthetic with Teflon in their platter bearings,Superlube is a street name for it.

ken brydson

brgman wrote: »

VPI uses a synthetic with Teflon in their platter bearings,Superlube is a street name for it.

You guys discussing grease has me a bit.........................................uncomfortable.

[Deleted User]

Thanks, I appreciate your efforts. There are two general capstan motors used in the A77, the earlier version uses a single sintered bronze bearing combined with a ball bearing using a dual belleville washer assembly to preload the bearing. The bronze bearing is lubricated with two felt washers with Mobile DTH-EH oil. The more recent motor uses two sintered bronze bearings and the recommended lubricant is PDP65 oil. I'm working on the earlier version, so the interest in the ball bearings.

Fongolio

I recently acquired a cherry Revox A77 Dolby version. It's all original unmolested and used lovingly by an older German gentleman. It even had the original Revox string tag on it and the original dust cover, manuals, but no box. European version but an adapter and flick of a switch fixed that. It sounds great and I'm not sure if anything needs work save for some electrolytic caps replaced. What should I be looking for on this unit? Heads look near new by the way. Thanks Ken.

BTW I got it by trading a Technics SL1200 Mk II I restored from a basket case. I'll try to get some pics soon. Included about 20 10 1/2 blank tapes. 7 unopened Revox branded 10 1/2 premium tapes. About 15 high quality recorded 10 1/2 inch tapes and some name brand take up reels. The tapes alone were worth the Technics in my mind. I got a Revox A77 Dolby thrown in.

Kelvin

[Deleted User]

Hi Kevin,
Congratulations on the A77 Dolby, very well done! You should try and find some Barclay Crocker Dolby encoded prerecorded tapes on eBay, they sound excellent.
There are three 0.47uF caps located on the front of the tape drive control circuit board that frequently fail that should be replaced, a fourth is located on the speed control board but is harder to get to. The caps used on the record/playback circuitry are tantalum and should be replaced with your preferences for better sound.
There's lots that can be done, but this is a good place to start.
Enjoy, Ken

cnh

I have this image of Ken in the belly of UNIVAC with dozens of reels spinning and spinning, whirling all around him? And Ken in a white lab coat with clipboard in hand.

cnh