Otari MTR15

[RoadDawgWest]

Recently purchased an Otari MTR15 Reel-to-Reel tape machine. The seller informed me all the functions worked, but after a long wait for the machine to arrive via freight I quickly learned the pinch roller would not engage when play was pressed. Besides a little dust from being in storage that was the only issue with the machine.

After some research, and guidances from members of another forum I was able to resolve the issue with the pinch roller easily. Thought I would share the information on AA as well.

The following are a few photos, and videos.

Delivery of the Otari MTR15 - Still dirty needing cleaned up.


A video of the pinch roller not engaging when play is pressed.
https://youtu.be/An-4rcTGBGM

The culprit of the sticking pinch roller. The black foam pad has become sticky to the touch. Also sticky residue is on the pinch roller arm (not shown in photo).


Removed the sticky foam pad, and replaced with a foam pad with similar thickness. This foam pad was sourced from Michaels craft store, and has adhesive on one side. Simply traced around the old foam pad, and used an exacto blade to cut the new foam pad.


A video of the pinch roller engaging when play is pressed, after replacing the foam pad.
https://youtu.be/wSVjtTnbozE

[Pampero]

That's virtually the last of the professional Otaris in that format, and relaively few were sold as it represented the zenith for the format. After that, the deluge. That model benefited from all the experience Otari garnered over the years of building tape electronics and transports. Great to see a post on it here, may it give you years of pleasure!

[RoadDawgWest]

Thank you Lew!