The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi,

I am posting a small drawing of QL/ZX Cartridge.

Please note the detail of a white plastic roller that in a few of my carts does not stick out (right picture) enough from the case to get engaged properly with rubber roller driven by the MD motor.
The effect is that tape movement is irregular and noisy. Is this a sign of a wear or is it a production miss-tolerance?

Many thanks
Tomas

Great!!

I never seen different plastic roller inside my MD's.

Need to check!!!

Had a look through about 20 of mine and they're all the same (the roller isn't recessed).

Charles

Hi,

The ressesion is tiny, noticable only to a bare eye carefull look, as the difference is 0.3-0.4mm max. But is enough that tape does not run properly, as the plastic ring underneath rubber roller is getting in the way.

My explanation so far is,

[a] production tolerance,
long continuous running will produce heat in plastic roller axle-hub, this will melt polystereane slightly, so given a side presure of the clutching spring, white roller will recess slightly inwards.

In two carts I have these symptoms appearing, I managed with a crafting knife to cut off black plastic around the roller so it protrudes as it should some 1.2mm. It is not like new but may have prolonged cartridge life.
Tomas

Hi,

I have taken apart one of my cartridges that is jammed. The magnetic film is visible to have come off the tape in some places.

I wonder what is the tape width (not thickness), and how to cut a VHS tape into these stripes of the same width?
Any ideas?

Many thanks
Tomas

1.9mm width dry lubricant TDK video tape. 501cm loop (500cm writeable).

Also, good luck.