What is the rotational velocity of an unladen pinch roller?
Kean or Streetly?
I don't know that!
aaaaarrrrrrrrggghhhhhh!!!!
So anyway, yeah, diameter won't matter. My experience:
- Scruffy is better. Sand 'em so they're not shiny.
- Get rid of the edges. I just round off the edges a little so more
central meat gets to the tape. Martin makes them look like motorcycle
tires (or tyres) that makes for narrower but stronger central contact.
- Clean. Out on the 'net they discuss how to clean pinch rollers, and I've
read it's best to use a water-based cleaner, like Formula 409 or Windex,
not an alcohol. Alcohol dries out the material. Do a Google search for
more info.
- However when the pinch roller doesn't turn all that well, try the
"Merbler Flick" (see "Wobblies" on
http://www.kleonard.com/gear/tronecdo.htm). It actually works. I don't
know if you have to use alcohol---maybe one of the other cleaners will work?
- Make sure the pinch roller is exactly parallel to the tape path. I use
pipe pliers to twist the pinch roller holder a bit to make sure the pinch
roller is dragging the tape through straight. You may have this problem if
you see chafing on the edges of your tape or a stripe along your tape.
- Always adjust the machine properly -
http://www.kleonard.com/mellotron/mellotronia/techtalk.htmI've seen machines where the pinch rollers are cranked
down. Wrong! 'trons don't have to play like lead or mush.
Replacement is needed when:
- The axle or nylon bearing is trashed. Sometimes a drop of lubricant in
there can help, but most lubricants will cause the bearing to completely
die sooner--but at least you'll get a bit more time out of it.
- The pinch roller is cracked/cracking or too hard to compress a little.
- The pinch roller has a flat spot.
- When you can't get the damn note right, and you've tried everything else
you can think of! :-)
...kl...
M400 #805 - meaty, beaty, big, and wobbly
M400 #1037 - went for 2 replacements
∗∗ Ken Leonard - Web Table of Contents:
http://www.kleonard.com∗∗ Get Outdoors New England:
http://www.GONewEngland.org∗∗ Bringing freedom to New Hampshire:
http://www.FreeStateProject.org