Ex National (Panasonic/Matsushita) domestic tape machine
I am very much "into" sustainability, a complete tape machine represents a LOT of embedded energy and to waste that embedded energy is a very bad thing, even worse is to bury it in landfill and subsequently poison our environment!
What is embedded energy?
Embedded energy is a measurement of the total energy that was used to create a component, a module or a complete piece of equipment originally.
So why has this National RS-760S become an "organ donor"?
Keep in mind this was a machine intended for the domestic market, the price conscious consumer. A fun machine to play around with (NOT for the professionals) but the Japanese decided to use sprocket reel tables which are partially made of plastic! Over the years, the plastic becomes brittle and breaks off. No longer will the reel be held in place and the machine becomes a noisy (as the reel tries to grip the reel table) heap of junk.
The machine actually was fully functional in all ways but this reel table problem made it pretty unsatisfactory to use and replacement reel tables are like "hens teeth" - it just wasn't worth the effort (for me anyway) to try and source a reel table.
But that said, they are a fun machine to record and playback those mysterious 1/4" tapes that might be lurking in the back cupboard or simply restore a machine for your "technology museum"
Brief background to National, Panasonic and Matsushita
Matsushita was begun by the Japanese industrialist Konosuke Matsushita. The Matsushita company initally used the branding NATIONAL for their premium products then in the 1980's moved to the branding NATIONAL PANASONIC and then further progressed to just PANASONIC.
To a certain extent, the branding on any Matsushita product gives an indication of its age - a "true original" Matsushita product from the 1960's or even 1970's should be branded NATIONAL
If you are repairing or restoring one of these machines (or perhaps other models from National/Panasonic) here is more bits and pieces that could be very handy to have around. Plastic pulleys crack/break, rubber products slowly deteriorate over the years, stretching or totally disintegrating into a gooey mess.
Yes, I salvage EVERYTHING from my sacrificial machines!
National Tape Recorder/Player SPARE PARTS
Made in Japan
Late 1960's - early 1970's
Part # Various
Parts offered are only those shown in the photograph...they are
Motor pulley
Pulley
Drive Belt
Motor rear fan attachment
Flywheel & Take Up Idler wheels (metal with bonded rubber outer rim)
These items are all related to the dismantling of this machine from National/Panasonic although I wouldn't be surprised if these same components were used across a number of models from National
Suits the Model: RS-760S (this part may possibly suit other National/Panasonic machines)
CONDITION:
Cosmetically all items are in very good - excellent condition.
This was a fully functioning machine except for the take-up wheel issue mentioned above.
After removal from the machine I have carefully examined the rubber components in particular, the idler wheels are both fine.
The motor drive belt is offered ONLY as an "emergency" belt - could be useful to check out a machine or while waiting for a new belt replacement. On my machine it worked fine, no slipping or doing other strange things but I felt it was a little stretched, the belt forming an oval shape and a bit loose to the feel.
So it will "do the job" if someone needs a belt while a proper new replacement is being sourced.
The other items are all fine, idler wheels don't look to have "flat spots" and the rubber is in good condition
Plastic pulleys (with metal centre) are not cracked or otherwise damaged.
I have also tried to salvage all of the spacer washers and circlips - these may be useful as well (if the originals are missing or lost)
These components (as pictured) have now been sealed within plastic and will be supplied this way.
