1/2" tape cleaners?

[Ron Hudson]

When I ran the tape library at calma we had one of those, only mine 
would run the tape over a razor blade to scrape off junk, and would 
record and playback an analog signal looking for dropouts. It had 
counters
that recorded tape faults and would print out a strip of 
addingmachinepaper with a report on the reel.

More than a certain number of dropouts, we scavenge the write ring and 
reel cover and toss the tape.


On Oct 23, 2004, at 8:12 AM, Brad Parker wrote:

>
> Does anyone know anything about 1/2" tape cleaners?
>
> I remember (I think) seeing a device in the tape library of the giant
> insurance company I once worked for.
>
> This device, if I remember correctly looked like an audio open reel 
> tape deck
> but would take a 1/2" (9-track style) tape reel on one side and had a 
> take-up
> reel on the other.
>
> If I remember correctly the tape passed over a "spinning wheel" which
> had slots in it.  I think this wheel would "clean" the tape.
>
> It's all a bit hazy now, but I think this device was used to clean and
> re-tention 9-track 1/2" tapes. (the # of tracks does not matter, but I 
> say
> that to give the proper context).
>
> Anyone know of these, have one, know of one, or if they work and are 
> safe?
>
> I have some (well, many) 9-track tapes which were stored in a very poor
> (read humid) environment.  The look like they have mildew on them.  I'd
> like to try cleaning and re-tensioning one and, after baking, see if it
> will read.
>
> Seems like one of these devices would come in handy.
>
> Any experience?
>
> -brad
>