Hello, Folks!

I'm Catherine from 4-a-little-lady, an active eBay 8-track music store. Are you confused about the mysteries of the 8-track tape? If so, perhaps I can help. I've written this guide (and others) explaining how 8-track music tapes function, and what to do if they break.  

If you don't find the information that you need in this guide, click the number beside my user name to find  my other 8-track music tape guides quickly. 

How To Make Emergency Splicing Foil

How 8-Tracks Work: 

8-track music tapes are made of  1/4" tape that is connected into a loop by a metal tape tab called, "splicing foil". Along the length of this loop, the tape is divided into 8 stripes called "tracks". This is where the name, ' 8-Track Tape' comes from.

A plastic cartridge box holds the loop of tape around a removable wheel near the center of the container. The tape is wound in a manner that allows it to feed over the outside of the case, where your player reads two of the tracks at a time to make music.

Your player has a rounded metal part called a "head" that pushes against the exposed length of tape on the cartridge. As your machine head pushes against the tape, there is one foam pad (or two fuzzy pads) under the tape that assure a tight fit between the tape and your player head.  It is like a sandwich: player head + music tape + pad.

Your player plays the loop of tape, reading two of the eight tracks at a time until it reaches the metal "splicing foil" tab holding the loop of tape together. This foil connector tells the machine to switch to the next two tracks (called "program of music") as it goes by.

Why Most 8-Tracks Break: 

It's a myth to believe that your 8-track player is "eating" tapes. Most 8-track tapes do not "break" --- They simply fall apart gracefully when the "splicing foil" holding the tape together in a loop gets old and falls off. 

When deciding to play a newly discovered 30-year-old 8-track tape, it is important to check its "splicing foil" tab to make sure that the glue holding it down is still holding fast. The single tab of splicing foil is located at the end of all tracks on your tape. Go to the end of any track to see it.

Making Emergency Splicing Foil Repairs:

Years ago, we made emergency splicing foil out of Wriggley's brand foil gum wrappers. During the late 1970's, Wriggley's changed their paper formula, and collectors went to using many other creative repair methods to keep their tapes playing.

Today, you can get 1/4" aluminum (or mylar) splicing tape made specifically for 8-track tapes. This is a time consuming process if you are ordering it by mail while dying to hear your favorite old tape from the attic!

To make an "emergency" foil splice... find a buddy who has a cigarette package with a foil liner. I prefer Marlboro liners, but others may become your personal favorites. These liners unfolded are squares of about 5" by 5 1/2" of foil backed paper. Each will fix ooodles of tapes.

1. Cut a piece off of the foil package liner that is about 1" long and about 1/4" wide. (You can use a piece of real splicing foil that is on a tape as a guide). 

2. Pull the tape out of the top of the case a little so that the old splicing foil area is in the center. Use a splicing block if you have one, or get ready to glue neatly without one.

3. Glue your new homemade tab to the tape, and add just a little bit of scotch tape to the underside of the splice to make the repaired area strong.

4. Wind the tape back into the case by moving it over the wheel until you see the tape feeding normally.

5. Enjoy!!! 

These homemade repairs will last through quite a few plays on your tape. It is important to check them now and then to make sure that the showing foil is not showing heavy use marks.

This form of splicing foil will NOT last as long as real splicing foil, but it works if you need splicing foil quickly. I put a piece on a tape earlier today to test for this guide, and it was still playing after 25 trips through all tracks.

(These 8-track guides are being produced by a cheery, non-professional, slightly-graying, 8-track collector who just loves her hobby. Thank you for all of your wonderful email comments. )

Everybody have a great day! Catherine 4-a-little-lady