VID: Using a bulk eraser

Sometime ago I placed an entry doing a description of the Teac E-2 bulk eraser. Now I've shot a video showing how to use it. Normally I use the bulk eraser when I want to recycle an already recorded tape to ensure that the new recording will no have any rest of the old recording due to alingment issues or any other issue.

Another reason to use the bulk eraser is to try to restore the tape to the a like virgin state, erasing also any hiss that was in the tape.

DES: Ampex 7" metal reel

Never known that Ampex did metal reels of 7" diameter. I was lucky to find some of them in the same lot.

It has three holes in-line, three screws and is easy to thread thanks to a large loading line.

Spinning at 9.5 cm/s

Front view

There is a "blind slot" in the inner circle of the reel, like another spindle hole, but without the star shape, just the circle. Maybe it was used to hang the reel...

The lettering is identical in both sides, "AMPEX" in the first line (bold and capital letters) and "audio supply" in a second line in a smaller font size. Each side is labeled as "1" or "2".

DES: Teac 7" metal black reel

That reel is unusual. Black metal reel with the TEAC logo painted in gold. I think that only existed the 7" version and wasn't made in 10.5" with the same design.

It has three holes off-set and uses four philips anodized screws and has a slot to hold the tape.

A pair of reels like this makes a good visual result with a TEAC black faced deck, as the X1000 or X2000.

DES: Pioneer PR-85 7" metal reel

Now is the turn of one of the most wanted 7" metal reels, the original one that came with the Pioneer models RT-701 and RT-707. However, it was also sold separately.

It has six holes "in line" with three screws and it's very light because the holes are really big and between each one, there is a radius that goes to the center hub. There is also present a single slot to hold the tape.

The aluminium is very delicated because of the size of the holes. The central hub has three marks to hold the spindle in the right position while pressing the reel.

Here are some shots of this beauty:

Stopped





Closer look






Running at 9.5 cm/s




With the reel full of tape

DES: TDK AR-7M 7" metal reel

TDK 10.5" metal reels are found usually, both two and three holes design, but the 2 holes version in 7" size is not so usual, so, here is.

I bought this one one year ago more or less, and was unopened, perfect condition in all ways. This is the only one that I've found for sale in some years looking for it.

Here are some shots in a Pioneer RT-707 together with a Revox 7" metal blue reel.

Stopped




Closer look




"TDK 178". The size in milimetres.




Running at 9.5 cm/s