Advice for tape drive repair / maintenance

[Billy Pettit]

Tony Duell wrote:
and you will need a service manual for the machine (but hey, do you really
have a machine that you don't have the service manual for?).
 -tony 

Yes, many machines.  I can buy a new VCR/DVD combination for $89 with a one
year warrenty.  Why would I want to waste a weekend repairing a worn out
VCR?  That is time much better spent playing with my own designs, writing a
utility routine, or working on some old unique piece of computer gear.  

Repairing a cheap piece of consumer electronics may be fun but the critical
shortage in my life is time.  There is never enough to do all the fun
things, so I have to pick what gives the most pleasure.  Repairing something
just to say I can do is not on my list of priorities.

Billy