HP CArd Readers - Longevity

[Garth Wilson]

In 1982-83, I worked as a repair technician at TEAC/Tascam in Montebello, CA. Any tape recorder that came in for repair, regardless of what for, got the rubber parts replaced, to make sure it shipped with the maximum life expectancy. These included, #1, belts, #2, rubber wheels, idlers, etc., and #3 pinch rollers. Pinch rollers last the most years.

I have a Sony open-reel tape transport here from the 1960's with the original pinch roller. It's pretty hard, but it still works. (Fortunately this transport has no belts.) Pinch rollers themselves aren't what's pulling the tape though, in the way the card-reader roller pulls the card. They really just press the tape against the capstan. Different kind of rubber, I guess.

My TI-59's card reader's rubber wheel died many years ago.