Cassette Care
Two common causes of trouble experienced when using cassettes are:
1.) Tape jamming — Leading to uneven speed in playback, and
2.) Tape tangling — Where the tape wraps itself around vital parts of themechanism.
To reduce the likelihood of these problems occurring, the following precautions should be observed:
• Check that there are no loose layers of tape visible through the cassette center window (see Fig. 1). Take up any loose layers, using a pencil or hexagonal barrelled ballpoint pen, before inserting the cassette into the machine (see Fig. 2).
• If the cassette feels “tight”while performing operation shown (see Fig. 2), the tape may be jamming due to “ridges” formed in the winding of the tape (visible through the center window). These may be removed, in most cases, by fast winding of the cassette from one end to the other and back again.
• Use only
Furthermore, do not expose cassettes to direct sunlight, dust or oil, and do not touch the tape surfaces.
Head Cleaning
The tape heads, pinch roller and capstan require periodic cleaning. This removes particles of the metal oxide coating that wear off the tape and accumulate on these
parts and impair performance. Switch off the power, press the STOP/EJECT 
key to open the cassette door, and press the PLAY 
key. Clean the tape heads, pinch roller and capstan with a soft cloth or cotton pad dampened in isopropyl alcohol or special tape head cleaner.
Pinch Roller | Capstan Record/Play | Erase Head |
| Head |
|
26
PD3812_B032305.p65 | 26 |
23/3/2005, 15:03