tension arm guide question

[socoldbrew]

Hi. I have a few technical questions about the Otari tape path kit's tension arm guide. I have not purchased yet, but trying to understand exactly what you get.

1) Is that two ball bearings stacked next to each other that rotate independently by using 3 precision washers on the inner races?
2) Wouldn't having two ball bearings instead of one introduce more of a chance for noise, if they started spinning at slightly different speeds?
3) Was not a design of just one ball bearing ever considered?

Thanks in advance for your help.

-Caleb Johnston
hobbyist

[Doc B.]

1) Yes
2) How would they spin at different speeds with the same piece of tape going over both of them?
3) Find me a 3 x 6 x 6 ball bearing and I may consider it.

[socoldbrew]

Hi, Doc. Thank you very much for the answers!

I think I'm going to try to rig my tension arms like this on my TEAC 3300. I'm going to use two SMR63ZZ roller bearings. Where did you find washer shims that small? From the bearing specs it looks like 3 mm ID min and 3.7 mm OD max.

Thanks again!

 

[Doc B.]

You could buy the Otari kit. That will supply you with parts you would need and possibly a few spares.