DIY Pinch Rollers

tmblack · 13th November 2011, 09:24 PM

Since this is diyaudio, I though I try to rebuild my tape recorder's pinch roller.
These things are also obsolete so finding one would be nearly impossible.

Does anyone know how to make the tire compound?

kevinkr · 13th November 2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmblack

Since this is diyaudio, I though I try to rebuild my tape recorder's pinch roller.
These things are also obsolete so finding one would be nearly impossible.

Does anyone know how to make the tire compound?

This I suspect would be a near hopeless diy venture, but there are outfits like Terry's rubber rollers that rebuilds tape recorder pinch rollers and turntable idlers.. Here: Terry's Rubber Pinch Rollers & Wheels

barrymagrec · 14th November 2011, 08:21 AM

It would be extremely difficult to mould a new pinch roller with satisfactory results, problems with consistency of hardnes and concentricity for instance. An alternative approach might be to approach a company that does typewriter platten (If any still exist) and see if they have anything of a similar diameter which you could fit onto the original inner and turn to size. It is possible to turn pinch rollers on an ordinary lathe with a sharp tool if you freeze the rubber first and "top up" with freezer spray while machining.

bunkie · 14th November 2011, 09:30 AM

One thing going for you is that pich roller diameter isn't critical. Rather than trying to make the soft part yourself, why not go the other way and try to find some off-the-shelf rubber bushing and fabricate the metal center put of aluminum or brass using a small lathe?

I wonder if urethane would make a good pinch roller? It would certainly be more durable than rubber. I'm sure that there are lots of runner and urethane bushings out there that might be adapted to this use.

blakkshepeaudio · 14th November 2011, 10:57 AM

+1
And urethane turns like a beauty as long as your tools are SHARP!
Watch out for the grade / hardness though - too hard and the tape may slip.

13th November 2011, 09:24 PM	#1
tmblack diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK	DIY Pinch Rollers Since this is diyaudio, I though I try to rebuild my tape recorder's pinch roller. These things are also obsolete so finding one would be nearly impossible. Does anyone know how to make the tire compound?

14th November 2011, 09:30 AM	#4
bunkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York city	One thing going for you is that pich roller diameter isn't critical. Rather than trying to make the soft part yourself, why not go the other way and try to find some off-the-shelf rubber bushing and fabricate the metal center put of aluminum or brass using a small lathe? I wonder if urethane would make a good pinch roller? It would certainly be more durable than rubber. I'm sure that there are lots of runner and urethane bushings out there that might be adapted to this use. __________________ Peter Hansen www.audio.thesonicboomers.com

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14th November 2011, 08:21 AM	#3
barrymagrec diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2010	It would be extremely difficult to mould a new pinch roller with satisfactory results, problems with consistency of hardnes and concentricity for instance. An alternative approach might be to approach a company that does typewriter platten (If any still exist) and see if they have anything of a similar diameter which you could fit onto the original inner and turn to size. It is possible to turn pinch rollers on an ordinary lathe with a sharp tool if you freeze the rubber first and "top up" with freezer spray while machining.

14th November 2011, 10:57 AM	#5
blakkshepeaudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Country Victoria Australia	+1 And urethane turns like a beauty as long as your tools are SHARP! Watch out for the grade / hardness though - too hard and the tape may slip.