TASCAM 52 and TASCAM 58 - lubrication requirements

[Mega-Ohm]

Can anybody out there help me out with a rundown on what periodic lubrication is required for the TASCAM 52 and TASCAM 58 reel to reel tape machines. They are the same platform and share many mechanical and electrical components. The manuals for these machines are very comprehensive, but there are no instructions at all on any application of grease or oil.

My main concern is the capstan motor. Does the bearing or base of the shaft need a few drops of oil now and then, or is it a sealed unit?

Other areas that I assume could do with a dab of grease are the pivot for the pinch roller arm, maybe the brake lever actuator? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[SkywaveTDR]

The 50 series has mostly ball bearing in guides and most places. The lubrication of places that need it is for a Technician to do. the lifter plate could be cleaned and lubricated with Lubriplate 105 which I have used for years. The capstan motor has a huge sleeve bearing in the front of it. Drop of oil will do no good from front. I have had the motor out and apart where the rotor is extracted and the sleeve is cleaned of old oil who know what that was. The oil I use now is a AMSoil synthetic signature series synthetic 0W30 and I have always had great results with this oil so far. BR20 had a wow and flutter measured at .0135% and that is a belt drive. When you take off the front transport cover you look for the parts that are moving that might need lubrication but so far I have only had one unit in the 40 or 50 series that had a resistive Pinch Roller linkage. I think the only lifter problem I saw was on an employee bought machine which I bought when I worked there- it was a 52. In this business you listen to complains and address them and look for abnormal movement. The sleeve bearings of these motor always can benefit for AMSoil now and the Tascam motor is not all that much different that the Otari MX-5050 capstan motor. The Otari have more problems so far such as coils being unglued. If you look at the schematics of each motor you will see that these are the same designs only altered due to connectors. I have worked on these machines for 50 years now and so have a different view that most people. The caps on the audio boards named Marcon have been seen in the 48 to be failing at this age- I change all Marcons when I discover them as the parts are not that expensive- a pound of prevention kind of thinking. Muting relays are also a problem and a lot are burned up with Phantom supplies going into XLR connections that should not have 48 volts into them. I put IC sockets on cards and Coto relays- I have had no returns.