DIY Pinch Rollers

[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?

 

[kevinkr]

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]

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]

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]

+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.