Otari tech needed in Chicago suburbs

[Tom Jancauskas]

Hey all,

I have just received an Otari MX55 overbridge machine. I need to find a tech
in the chicago are that can come out & look at the machine for me.

It had been damaged in shipping (the box showed up round) and I need someone
to come out & look at it for me.

I can handle basic alignment of the machine, but this is way past what I can
do. I don't have a lot of tools, and don't have good enough vision to tackle
anything too intricate.

The machine had been dropped in shipping and the deck plate/reel platter
took the hit taking out a set of hub adapters in the process.

As far as I can tell right now, the right reel table was pushed into the
machine slightly and the reel won't spin evenly.

I haven't been able to check the machine any further until I can get this
repaired.

I haven't been able to get a hold of the seller yet to see what he can do.

Anyway, any help you can give would be appreciated!

Thanks
--
Tom Jancauskas
Imedia

[Mike Rivers]

Tom Jancauskas wrote:

> I have just received an Otari MX55 overbridge machine. I need to find a tech
> in the chicago are that can come out & look at the machine for me.
>
> It had been damaged in shipping (the box showed up round)

> The machine had been dropped in shipping and the deck plate/reel platter
> took the hit taking out a set of hub adapters in the process.
>
> As far as I can tell right now, the right reel table was pushed into the
> machine slightly and the reel won't spin evenly.

> I haven't been able to get a hold of the seller yet to see what he can do.

I hope you didn't get stiffed here, but seriously, how badly do you
want that machine? It's a good recorder, for sure, but it's very
tightly packed and difficult to work on, and mechanical parts aren't
readily available - and you'll need some. There's likely to be things
bent that you'll never get straightened out.

If I were you, I'd take whatever steps you can to stop payment and get
hold of the seller, including calling the sheriff in the seller's town,
then contact the shipper and report the damage. I'd declare it totaled,
get your money back (the seller will have to deal with the shipper),
and try for another one.

[Tom Jancauskas]

in article . com, Mike
Rivers at wrote on 9/3/06 1:04 PM:

>
> Tom Jancauskas wrote:
>
>> I have just received an Otari MX55 overbridge machine. I need to find a tech
>> in the chicago are that can come out & look at the machine for me.
>>
>> It had been damaged in shipping (the box showed up round)
>
>> The machine had been dropped in shipping and the deck plate/reel platter
>> took the hit taking out a set of hub adapters in the process.
>>
>> As far as I can tell right now, the right reel table was pushed into the
>> machine slightly and the reel won't spin evenly.
>
>> I haven't been able to get a hold of the seller yet to see what he can do.
>
> I hope you didn't get stiffed here, but seriously, how badly do you
> want that machine? It's a good recorder, for sure, but it's very
> tightly packed and difficult to work on, and mechanical parts aren't
> readily available - and you'll need some. There's likely to be things
> bent that you'll never get straightened out.
>
> If I were you, I'd take whatever steps you can to stop payment and get
> hold of the seller, including calling the sheriff in the seller's town,
> then contact the shipper and report the damage. I'd declare it totaled,
> get your money back (the seller will have to deal with the shipper),
> and try for another one.
>
I'd like to keep the machine if possible as it is a modded 7.5/15/30 ips
machine.

I am trying to get a hold of the seller now, but no luck yet. I will see
about stopping payment etc. I should have refused the shipment...

FedEx ground is a royal PAIN to deal with. They pick up & take everything
back & you have no real eveidence that anything ever happened. They've
denied several claims I have had in the past that of course were their fault
even thought thitem was packed more than properly.

The box currently looks like just sheets of wrinkled flat cardboard..Ugh...

If I can get the machine fixed without too much investment that would be
good.

Thanks for the info

- -Tom
--
Tom Jancauskas
Imedia

[Scott Dorsey]

Tom Jancauskas > wrote:
>
>The machine had been dropped in shipping and the deck plate/reel platter
>took the hit taking out a set of hub adapters in the process.
>
>As far as I can tell right now, the right reel table was pushed into the
>machine slightly and the reel won't spin evenly.

If the top plate is bent even a TINY bit, the machine is a total loss. If
it's just the motor mounting flange, it's repairable but it'll cost much
more than the machine is worth.

There is a former WGN guy around town that knows these machines, and I am
trying to think of his name....
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Tom Jancauskas]

in article , Scott Dorsey at
wrote on 9/4/06 8:47 AM:

>> As far as I can tell right now, the right reel table was pushed into the
>> machine slightly and the reel won't spin evenly.
>
> If the top plate is bent even a TINY bit, the machine is a total loss. If
> it's just the motor mounting flange, it's repairable but it'll cost much
> more than the machine is worth.
>
> There is a former WGN guy around town that knows these machines, and I am
> trying to think of his name....
> --scott


Ugh.. That's what I was afraid of. Thanks Scott. I am trying to get a hold
of the seller. I have also filed a claim with the shipper (good luck) and
contacted paypal to see what can be done.

If I buy another machine, I will try to get it locally. If not, you can bet
I'll make sure the machine is properly packed/crated.

Is the name of the WGN guy you are thinking of Gordon Carter? I don't know
him, but I have heard his name.

All I wanted was a clean, well cared for machine, that wouldn't see a whole
lot of use, but built sturdy enough that it'd work when I needed it.

Oh well, can't have everything I guess!

Thanks as always!
--
Tom Jancauskas
Imedia