Hi, Folks!

I'm Catherine from 4-a-little-lady, an active eBay 8-track store. Are you confused about the mysteries of the 8-track? If so, perhaps I can help. 

To comply with eBay size requirements this guide will be posted in sections. You are reading:

Part Three: Pad Repair 

Introduction

WARNING: 8-track music tapes are a fragile music source.  Tapes malfunctioned easily 40-years ago; tapes malfunction today. The design of the 8-track tape creates this problem.

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.

 

Let's Repair Pads:

PADS

The pad (or pads) on an 8-track tape act to make a tight connection between player head + music tape + pad. Look at your cartridge where the tape is showing; you will see either one long foam pad, or two small square fuzzy pads on a piece of metal that looks like a wing. These are important! If pads are missing, or in bad shape, your tape will malfunction.

To test your foam pad, lightly touch the pad to assure that it is still tall and firm. If the pad sinks permanently at your touch, or leaves a pile of sand-sized particles where it used to be, your tape will not play.  For the most part, fuzzy pads are fine if they are still both attached to the metal wing bar.

If your foam pad does not spring back when touched, it needs to be replaced by one that does. You can buy new foam pads on eBay, make your own, or rob them from tapes that you don't care about.

FOAM PAD REPAIR 

This works for me:

1. Hold your tape so that it is right side up, and you are looking at the label.

2. Take a flat edged screwdriver and gently put it under your showing tape in the middle and pull it to the backside of your case so that you are holding the tape with the screwdriver and the case all at once, in one hand. You don't want to wrinkle. You don't want to pull any further than absolutely necessary to make a place to work.

3. Use a pair of needle-nose pliars to grab your old foam pad and pull it out. It might come out in crumbs... Remove everything.

4. Shove your new foam pad into the place where the old one came from.  Pull it through if you must with your pliars.

5. Gently remove your screwdriver from holding the tape and (with clean hands!) smooth your tape back towards both sides and into the case so that it is firm across the top.

6. It is smart to practice on a pile of junk tapes a few times before attempting to fix your favorite tape the first time if you are a beginner.

FUZZY PAD REPAIR

This works for me:

1. Hold your tape so that it is right side up, and you are looking at the label.

2. Take a flat edged screwdriver and gently put it under your showing tape in the middle and pull it to the backside of your case so that you are holding the tape with the screwdriver and the case all at once, in one hand. You don't want to wrinkle. You don't want to pull any further than absolutely necessary to make a place to work.

3. Use a pair of tweezers or locking tweezers (hemostats) to put a new pad with glue (or a sticky back) onto the spring. Keep the glue away from the tape! 

4.  If you are using glue, let it dry before smoothing your tape back into place as explained under "foam pad repair" above.  

5.  It is smart to practice on a pile of junk tapes a few times before attempting to fix your favorite tape the first time if you are a beginner.

This Guide (Part 3)  Is Under Construction

Please Check Back Again

 

(This guide is being produced by a cheery, non-professional, slightly-graying, 8-track collector who just loves her hobby. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments of encouragement. )

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