Dansette Consort 4 tape recorder.
Gentleman brought this nice little Dansette tape recorder in today, sat doing nothing in a dark cupboard for 40 years. The tape recorder that is, not the owner.
This set is fitted with the much loved BSR TD2 deck. This one has a tape counter!! 4 track heads. These decks are delightfully simple and most BSR machines. Good to service and work well. Wherever I see one of these decks, I have a little prayer hoping the little toggle spring as not broken. I have one left and that will be my retirement fund. We were lucky today.
The drive to the hubs is achieved by their moving from side to side and engaging on rubber drive pullies. The hubs are mounted on pivot arms which are fitted to posts pressed in to the chassis. After years of non-use, the grease hardens and nothing works. To remove these arms requires removing the circlips, spacing washers, clutch etc etc. DO NOT be tempted to force anything, The arms can be broken and or the posts become loose in the chassis. You have to be quite brutal with a hot air gun and heat the whole assembly whilst adding a little penetrating oil (lighter fluid and touch of WD) and rocking the arm back and forth. Once free, remove, clean and lubricate.
With the main smoothing capdensor reformed and the other capdensors checked, we applied some angry pixies. The set sprang into life and played the tape provided really well. A usual recording made from the radio using the Mic with everyone having dinner in the background!
The machine has a lovely magic eye, tear drop, DM70 as a recording level indicator. Replaced the belt for the counter, assembled and test. The machine came with its user manual, circuit diagram and price list of spares. Much more satisfying work than the usual day to day stuff.
