Cassette tape “flanging”

MarkWComer

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I found two mutt- brand cassettes, plain white shells, “92” printed on the leader, so I guess they’re C-92. They were stored flat for unknown years. I tried to use one and the left channel (the edge) dropped in and out wildly. Removed the cassette and saw that the edge was wrinkled. I disassembled the shell and found the entire pancake had a “flange” to it.

How common is this? I deduce that this is from storing them flat and not upright. This raises a concern that NOS cassettes, though still in factory shrink wrap, can exhibit the same phenomenon, essentially rendering one side completely useless (but why use it anyway, except for a vintage answering machine).

Any thoughts on this?
 
J!m

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Properly wound cassettes don't do that.

I have had NOS TDK cassettes from the late 70's that record and play just fine. I actually did a huge investigation (at Tapeheads) of a bunch of used cassettes because of an alleged "chronic" problem with TDK tapes. There is no problem, or, at least no greater problem than any other brand of tape. But, due to the number of TDK tapes out there, they saw every manner of mistreatment and were the most frequently seen (as were Maxell). But, percentage wise, their "problems" were no greater than any other tape brand.

Good habit is to FF and REW any new tape to "re-pack" before recording. I always did that with VHS tapes as well.

A used tape, left in the middle and/or not packed well (poor quality or poorly set-up machine) will allow the exposed section of tape to cup, bow and/or wrinkle. I always FF or REW tapes when I'm done listening to make sure they are packed well. Some felt it was a moisture issue, and it may be, but if you take care of the tape, it'll be fine.
 
MarkWComer

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Moisture shouldn’t affect a polyester substrate, or so I’m led to believe. Yes- I FF/REW any tape before recording, have always done that for the reasons you mentioned, all tapes- open reel, Beta, VHS, and cassette.
 
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The best tape pack you'll get is not from fast forwarding or rewinding a tape - cassette or reel - it's going to be in the play mode. Just make sure the tape is played to the end of the side. It's common to fwd and rwd tapes that have sat unused for awhile to prevent the tape from sticking to itself. One of the most important things to do when preparing to record on a tape is to fwd to the end of the tape then rwd back to the beginning to loosen the tape pack and listen for unusual noises.

20180923_063620_zpsihkx32xi.jpg
I have stored tapes both in the horizontal position, but, preferably, vertically on the large end of the case. Many of my tapes are stored in carrying cases, so that position works well. If there are tapes I listen to regularly I place them vertically on the short side of the case, on the shelf near my stereo, so I can check the titles easily on the spine of the J-card. There are recommendations by companies and societies who archive tapes for a long time. Check their recommendations, too.

Nando.
 
J!m

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I agree too, but it’s not always practical.
I am fortunate that the tape pack looks as good at high speed as it does playing speed, thanks to Sam setting up my Tascam decks properly.

But I have sure seen cases where it looks all uneven at high speed wind.
 
BlazeES

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What's the point here? Argument: If the best 'wound state' of a compact cassette is having been previously played @ at slow & deliberate speed, then doing any FF or RW removes that condition.

From my experience - anecdotal but still valid - quality tapes that have been constructed well usually FF or RW in a very consistent manner; producing a consistent 'lay' if you will. It's the tapes with sloppy (loose) internal tolerances (slip sheet and hub designs...) that end up spooling up like crap. Two category of tapes that immediately come to mind... K-Mart comomodity tapes that were sold in 3's or 4's in plastic bags at the check out aisle... or high volume produced pre-recorded grade.

When it comes to recorded tapes, my general rule of thumb is simple: Play all the way through to the end of a side. If I'm done listening before hand, I let it finish playing, regardless. I don't do that avoid changes in 'lay' consistency - I do it to apply the wear cycle evenly - over time. That said, quality record-able compact cassette slip-liners & guides are obvious. Not to mention, if your machine(s) are in fine shape - then the handling of tape in your realm is predictable. Machines not maintained just add convolution to the issue...

I've never experienced stiction conditions or playback mis-alignment on any quality cassette that wasn't already dying.

Now on the flip side (no pun intended...), I always do a full FF then RW prior to playback on any pre-recorded tape that has been sitting around or stored in some unknown way. The reasons? Their construction, what they've been exposed to and generally their lower grade tape stock. And to keep things under control, I have a specific side-line deck I run them through the 1st time - for the FW/RW and initial playback.



But again, a well designed machine couldn't care less about how evenly wound a tape spool is. Especially a closed-loop, dual capstan, precision-guided deck that's been calibrated, cleaned and aligned.
 
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MarkWComer

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Well, all good information, good maintenance tips, good methods to practice when maintaining and preparing to record, but…

WHAT CAUSES THE “FLANGING” OF THE TAPE?​

Why has one edge of the tape stretched? How is it prevented?
 
BlazeES

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MarkWComer said:
Well, all good information, good maintenance tips, good methods to practice when maintaining and preparing to record, but…

WHAT CAUSES THE “FLANGING” OF THE TAPE?​

Why has one edge of the tape stretched? How is it prevented?
Click to expand...
It's high volume, low quality junk and mishandled by the spooling equipment.

Better yet... pictures or it didn't happen :cool:
 
Elite-ist

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It was pointed out earlier that budget cassettes are sloppy within the shell with less than ideal tolerances. Avoid budget cassettes, regardless of how they are stored. When you use a dual capstan cassette deck, cassette manufacturing is going to weigh heavily into whether you can maintain proper tape contact in the playing of a tape. Tapes can be permanently damaged if the cassette shell is poorly designed or manufactured.

Nando.
 
J!m

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“Attention all planets of the solar federation.

Attention all planets of the solar federation.

Attention all planets of the solar federation.

We have assumed control.

We have assumed control.

We have assumed control.”
 
BlazeES

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MarkWComer said:
DO YOU THINK I HAVE SOMETHING TO GAIN BY LYING ABOUT THIS???​
Click to expand...
Pictures or it didn't happen is interweb parlance for ... "Let's see some photos and see what we can see..." - - sometimes used in Memes too.
Only meant to add clarity to the discussion.

No one was calling you a liar.

And here I thought those crazy ass'd goggles in your avatar were all knowing, omnipotent cool-ray specs. :cool: Oh well...

Anyway - sorry you took it wrong way. For the record, I don't beat around the bush. If I thought you were making sh!t up, I'd stand up & call you out. But that's the farthest thing from what is going on here or was intended. Sorry dude !
 
MarkWComer

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BlazeES said:
Pictures or it didn't happen is interweb parlance for ... "Let's see some photos and see what we can see..." - - sometimes used in Memes too.
Only meant to add clarity to the discussion.

No one was calling you a liar.

And here I thought those crazy ass'd goggles in your avatar were all knowing, omnipotent cool-ray specs. :cool: Oh well...

Anyway - sorry you took it wrong way. For the record, I don't beat around the bush. If I thought you were making sh!t up, I'd stand up & call you out. But that's the farthest thing from what is going on here or was intended. Sorry dude !
Click to expand...
My apologies, bad reaction, was it the gin or the mango juice that got me off kilter? I wasn’t walking in a level place at the time.

I’ll dig through the trash bin, I think the pancake I cut from one of the tapes is still there (found it..) and I’ll post.

I’m obviously not good with internet parlance, I keep my language simple and to the point. Actually, those people who interleave each word they type with an emoji make me want to drill their head.
 
BlazeES

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MarkWComer said:
My apologies, bad reaction, was it the gin or the mango juice that got me off kilter? I wasn’t walking in a level place at the time.

I’ll dig through the trash bin, I think the pancake I cut from one of the tapes is still there (found it..) and I’ll post.

I’m obviously not good with internet parlance, I keep my language simple and to the point. Actually, those people who interleave each word they type with an emoji make me want to drill their head.
Click to expand...
Man... I'm glad I typically only use one emoji in my responses - I have enough holes in my head... :laughing8:

In any event, no harm - no foul. Looking forward to seeing a pic or two...
 
Elite-ist

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Thanks for the video. Is it possible the slitter used in cutting the cassette pancake might have cut it slightly too large for the shell? Were there slip sheets between each side of the cassette pancake when you took it apart?

Nando.
 
Elite-ist

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Also, a pressure pad without spring steel behind is not conducive to good head contact. In fact, it can result in tape skew. Take a look at other cassettes you have and open the screwed shell to compare the innards. I still fault the budget cassette and and not the storage of the tape, itself.

Nando.
 
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