Help with Nakamichi 480 deck

[truongnguyenduc]

Hi,

I have a Nakamichi 480 deck that having problem with the alignment. It is clear by naked eyes that the two rubber wheel and the two head are inclined. It only play when I shift up the machenism manually. Do you know who in Canberra can help me with this issue?

Best regards

Truong

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

First off: DO NOT attempt to make adjustments on this mechanism, unless you have experience and the requisite equipment.

Second off: I don't know anyone in Canberra who can assist, but I suggest you call around and ask any techs if they have experience with Nakas.

[gamve]

Try Naktalk and tapeheads on the Net

Also there is a guy named John Gipps (think that's right) in QLD that still works on Naks

[Full Range]

Try Naktalk and tapeheads on the Net

Also there is a guy named John Gipps (think that's right) in QLD that still works on Naks

Thats where I got my 480 serviced

[truongnguyenduc]

First off: DO NOT attempt to make adjustments on this mechanism, unless you have experience and the requisite equipment.

Second off: I don't know anyone in Canberra who can assist, but I suggest you call around and ask any techs if they have experience with Nakas.

Thank you all for your advices. I received the Nakamichi 480 with the alignment issue and it ate some of my tapes. Luckily, I did not put my best tapes in. I do not have any experience or equipment, but I just can't stand seeing the Naks in that condition, it misaligned anway. So, yesterday, I pulled it out and make some adjustment. Now, the whole mechanism shifts up except for the two rubbers wheels. When I pressed play, the deck plays like crazy with the speed is as twice as normal. I have to push the rubber wheels up manually, then the deck plays nicely, the music is great, no tape-eating. What happened with the wheels? I read the service manual and think that those parts are very simple.

Thanks

[gamve]

Sounds very much like the grease has hardened in the pinch roller arm pivots. you could try to clean them in place. A gentle heat application with the tip of a soldering iron, plenty of cotton buds to clean off the softened grease then some light machine oil back into the pivots. If you remove the arms you will need alignment gauges to reassemble properly so avoid this unless you get a competent technician with the right equipment to do the repairs.

Edited August 1, 2011 by gamve

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Thank you all for your advices. I received the Nakamichi 480 with the alignment issue and it ate some of my tapes. Luckily, I did not put my best tapes in. I do not have any experience or equipment, but I just can't stand seeing the Naks in that condition, it misaligned anway. So, yesterday, I pulled it out and make some adjustment. Now, the whole mechanism shifts up except for the two rubbers wheels. When I pressed play, the deck plays like crazy with the speed is as twice as normal. I have to push the rubber wheels up manually, then the deck plays nicely, the music is great, no tape-eating. What happened with the wheels? I read the service manual and think that those parts are very simple.

Thanks

gamve is correct in the diagnosis. Do not attempt to perform a repair. Considerable skill and equipment is required to do the job.

[John Gipps]

Hi All

Yes I am still repairing Nakamichi decks in Qld. For many years I was the authorised Nakamichi warranty repairer and parts distributor for Queensland - I have all the required Nakamichi alignment jigs, test tapes, and manuals. I have a very full-on job in the electronics industry (not in audio), and hence do not have enough spare time to offer what could be considered a normal commercial service for Nakamichi. I may however be useful to some Nakamichi owners if repair or service to their equipment is not urgent.

Regards

John Gipps