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Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 3:11 am
by TabajaraLabs
Greetz from Brazil!
I don't know how useful this tip is, but this is what I did to my microdrive cartridges
Got a small sponge (felt?) from a new (eh....never used) cassete tape, cut it in small pieces and glued with cyanoacrilate on the small yellow metal level that used to fix the old sponge.
Hope that helps
I can do a more detailed tutorial if needed.
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:34 am
by Simon_Carr
I've been trying the same sort of thing recently, using pieces of new self-adhesive felt tabs (
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281170901231? ... 1439.l2649). So far, the experiments have been quite promising, although getting the thickness of the tab correct is the key element. The self adhesive nature of the tabs makes fixing them onto the brass spring easy, and so far, they have stuck nice and firmly.
I've been trying to find out what the composition of 'proper' cassette felt tabs should be, and where to get hold of them. It seems like a waste to have to butcher tapes just to get the pads, but I am conscious that the ones I am using are a little too firm, and perhaps need to be a bit more compressible.
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:55 pm
by RWAP
Does anyone want some spare cartridges to try - I have a small stock pile....
Apparently the pieces of felt from Ikea are ideal...
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:26 pm
by Mr_Navigator
RWAP wrote:Does anyone want some spare cartridges to try - I have a small stock pile....
Apparently the pieces of felt from Ikea are ideal...
Yes, please send me some next time I order something on SellMyRetro
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 4:08 pm
by Dave
I have obtained the correct felt material from 3M and today I will be doing the test laser cutting to create exact felt replacements. This is a type of felt used in data cassettes, loop cartridges and was used by the music recording industry until tape died in the 90s.
I left a post around here somewhere with my accurate measurements and now I can't find it!
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:31 pm
by polka
As an analog photography fan, I successfully used as a replacement for the Sinclair microcartridge felt : very small pieces of the black velvet that covers the opening of used 135 (24x36) film cartridges (initially suited to ensure light-tightness), it works well and will be totally (I hope) undestructible.
Paul
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:40 pm
by RWAP
Dave - I think you posted the measurements on ql-users rather than here....
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:14 pm
by Dave
I went off and found them earlier. I have booked two hours on the laser cutter this evening and will video it so y'all can see the wonder that is laser cutting
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:48 am
by TabajaraLabs
RWAP wrote:Does anyone want some spare cartridges to try - I have a small stock pile....
Apparently the pieces of felt from Ikea are ideal...
Depending on price, I'm in!
Re: Changing the small sponge on the microdrive carts
Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:42 pm
by Dave
I have priced them at just enough to cover their cost, laser time, and postage. I think most people will agree they're a good price.