Mellotronists

>>When attempting to make pinch rollers nice n' silky smoot, what's the
>>preferred method of cleaning and then lubing of those little rollies?

The Professor's 100% alcohol.  Cleans *anything*!!!  :-)

Way back in #805 I used some emery cloth to scruffify the rollers---they 
were too shiny---then cleaned them with isopropyl alcohol.  It's also OK to 
take the edge off a tiny bit if bowed/chipped (or get Martinized where he 
turns them into something like a radial tire).  You really want the meat of 
the pinch roller biting down on the tape---as much of the roller as 
possible, not the edges.

I believe Ken M. dipped his rollers into isopropyl to loosen up the 
stubborn ones, and that may be the way to go.  I got some of that 100% 
stuff in there, and in lieu of using oil to loosen 'em, the 100% alcohol 
worked great.  I bet the regular isopropyl would work well, too (100% 
alcohol is not available to us common folk).  I don't know the long term 
effects of such harsh stuff, though, but oiling the pinch roller's axle 
also has its issues.  YMMV.

Another trick:  Look carefully at the edges of your tapes.  If the pinch 
roller isn't absolutely straight, you may see the edges of your tape 
becoming worn/jaggy or even bent (as in a long line down the length of your 
tape).  I have used a big pair of pipe pliers to straighten out some cocked 
rollers so the tape flows perfectly straight and no longer has the tendency 
to be pulled to one side or the other.

...kl...M400 #805 - scruffy but uncocked

* Ken Leonard - Web Table of Contents:  http://www.kleonard.com
* Get Outdoors New England:  http://www.GONewEngland.org
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