Realistic Cassette Recorder Repair

I bought this vintage Realistic tape recorder two weeks ago. When I put a cassette tape in to test the player it would play but the fast forward or rewind would not work. The volume control was low and scratchy. Upon opening it up I found that the belt on the drive motor was dry rotted and had slack in it.

Drive belt that has rotted.

Replaced old belt.

Cleaned volume control potentiometer with some electrical contact cleaner.

Next I cleaned the heads with Isopropyl alcohol.

Finally I gave the whole cassette recorder a cleaning.

Now it works great….

This article was prepared for you by Mark James; Pennsylvania U.S. Mark is a computer Technician and electronics hobbyist. Holds two associate degrees one in Computer systems technology and one in electronics engineering technology.

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8 Comments

1. 

   Albert van Bemmelen

   July 20, 2024 at 1:26 pm

   Good job! In time sadly all rubber belts and other rubber driving materials always will have to be replaced just like e-caps. They are the first to deteriorate in any device especially when they are hardly ever used.

   Likes(3)Dislikes(0)

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     Mark J

     July 21, 2024 at 3:35 am

     That is a common problem with those cassette recorders and tape players.

     Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

     Reply
2. 

   Yogesh Panchal

   July 20, 2024 at 4:04 pm

   Mark James,
   Good Job!

   Likes(2)Dislikes(0)

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   • 

     Mark J

     July 21, 2024 at 3:29 am

     Yogesh Panchal Thanks...

     Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

     Reply
3. 

   Parasuraman S

   July 20, 2024 at 6:49 pm

   Glad to see another working on a Cassette Recorder! My favorites! Thanks for sharing!

   Likes(2)Dislikes(0)

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     Mark J

     July 21, 2024 at 3:28 am

     Parasuraman S I really enjoy working on some of those old cassette recorders and radios.

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     Reply
4. 

   Waleed Rishmawi

   July 22, 2024 at 2:44 pm

   any interesting name, Mark James, that is exatly the name of my son as well. any way, an interesting repair, thanks for sharing and have a blessed day

   Likes(1)Dislikes(0)

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     Mark J

     July 24, 2024 at 2:22 am

     Really he has the same name as me?

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     Reply

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