Try xyol (xylene) the paint thinner. I was told by a Xerox repairman they
used it on copier rollers when they got hard.

I have used it and works for me.

Dave


"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...
Jeff Liebermann wrote:

I've been volunteered to resurrect a Gerard A75 turntable and a Sony
250 reel to reel tape deck.

Both the turntable and tape recorder have rubber idler wheels that
have turned hard as a rock. Is it possible to soften the rubber with
some chemical?

In the 1960's I would just replace the rubber parts, so this was not
an issue. Now, I have to work with what's in front of me. Worse, I
have one shot to get it right and can't really risk a failed
experiment.

I've applied No-Slip goop to the outside of the idlers, which works
for a few hours and then starts to slip. That's not going to work.

I also have a bottle of foul smelling Methyl Prapasol Acetate, which I
use to clean and soften rubber parts in laser printers. It works well
for printers. However, my experience with the stuff on really old
rubber parts (over about 10-15 years) is that the rubber just
crumbles. I don't want to risk it.

Duz anyone have a better potion, elixer, process, or incantation for
softening rubber idler wheels?


Try news:rec.antiques.radio+phono Old rubber is a common problem, and
several people there rebuild rubber drives.

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.a...io+phono?hl=en for google
group users.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida