Advice for tape drive repair / maintenance

[Jules Richardson]

Fred Cisin wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Dec 2006, Jules Richardson wrote:
> [VCR]
>> Only two years? I'd be surprised if typical use wouldn't let it last for a lot
>> longer than that, say five at least.
> 
> How long do VCRs last when used continuously with a Corvus board in an
> Apple][?

No idea really :) I suppose I'd expect a VCR to do maybe 1000 hours or 
something before needing some kind of service (other than just cleaning the 
heads). Maybe it's comparable to something like a QIC drive (in that there are 
parallels in terms of tape making contact with head assembly, belt drive, 
various rubber parts that may be prone to wear etc.). It'd be interesting to 
know what the expected lifetime for such a drive was for the head / pulleys / 
belt etc.