Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

                          15 minutes

Sections

1

  • How to Release Capstan Lock on Sony U-Matic Players
  • 6 steps

Flags

3

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Introduction

Step 1

              How to Release Capstan Lock on Sony U-Matic Players
  • First, remove the top cover. It is held on by four screws, one in each corner.
  • After doing this, you should see something like this photo. What we’re interested in is the area inside the red circle.

First, remove the top cover. It is held on by four screws, one in each corner.

After doing this, you should see something like this photo. What we’re interested in is the area inside the red circle.

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Step 2

  • This piece of metal you can see here is the tail end of the capstan lock. In this picture, it is in its unlocked position.

This piece of metal you can see here is the tail end of the capstan lock. In this picture, it is in its unlocked position.

Step 3

  • In this picture, the capstan lock is hidden under this brace. This is what it looks like in its locked position. This is the position it should be in while playing a tape.

In this picture, the capstan lock is hidden under this brace. This is what it looks like in its locked position. This is the position it should be in while playing a tape.

Step 4

  • If the lock is somewhere in the middle, like this, it is stuck.
  • With the deck powered off, push the end of the lock to the right. It may take a bit of force, but don’t use an unreasonable amount.
  • Power the deck back on, and the tape should unthread. You can now eject your tape normally.

If the lock is somewhere in the middle, like this, it is stuck.

With the deck powered off, push the end of the lock to the right. It may take a bit of force, but don’t use an unreasonable amount.

Power the deck back on, and the tape should unthread. You can now eject your tape normally.

Step 5

  • To keep the capstan lock from getting stuck, you just need to oil it.
  • Start by removing the brace by removing this screw.

To keep the capstan lock from getting stuck, you just need to oil it.

Start by removing the brace by removing this screw.

Step 6

  • Next, remove the circled end of this spring and the E-clip. A pair of curved tweezers can be handy for the spring.
  • Slide the capstan lock partway up its shaft, and try to get some oil inside the bushing at the bottom of the capstan lock.
  • Do not try to completely remove the lock unless you want to do more disassembly. It is not necessary for this repair anyway.
  • I used common bike chain oil on my machine and it seems to work. I do not know for sure how it will hold up over time though, so if you have better oil to use, go for it.
  • That’s it! Assuming all other functions work, you now have a functional U-Matic player.

Next, remove the circled end of this spring and the E-clip. A pair of curved tweezers can be handy for the spring.

Slide the capstan lock partway up its shaft, and try to get some oil inside the bushing at the bottom of the capstan lock.

Do not try to completely remove the lock unless you want to do more disassembly. It is not necessary for this repair anyway.

I used common bike chain oil on my machine and it seems to work. I do not know for sure how it will hold up over time though, so if you have better oil to use, go for it.

That’s it! Assuming all other functions work, you now have a functional U-Matic player.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Timothy Fryer

Member since: 10/14/2019

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