1963 Ampex VR-1500 how to "thread"
 

How do I "thread" the 2" tape on an Ampex helical scan unit?

I have tested everything on this and everything works, but I haven't tried to play the tape that came with it... nor have I tried to hook a camera to it or record anything from t.v.

Anyone know anything about this? It is in the classifieds also...

Here is how my similar 660 threads :

http://www.videokarma.org/attachment...7&d=1253157225

hope you can see it well enough, sorry 'bout the fuzzy pix.

jr

Thanks! I might actually get to test mine now...

I gave away 2 of those to a museum here in Idaho last year including over 300 tapes of Tv shows and local commercials from our CBS affiliate. I also gave them a 1947 B&W studio camera

Jr...is that a right to left tape path? Looks like it from the labels on the right reel but I am confused by the pinch roller being the first thing in the path.

Sorry for the confusion... the reel with the labels is being used as the take up reel... I just placed it on the machine so that the labels show... likely not standard broadcast practice.

jr

I'd like to find some more tape... the one that came with it is pretty crispy, and the "stuff" peels off and sticks to itself... the reel was in a box that looked water damaged... I really don't want to use it...

I think it is a Right to left path...

In the picture that I posted above, the ("b wound") supply reel is on the left side (of the picture) and the take-up reel is the one with the stickers on the right side (of the picture). Lab Guy has the complete threading diagram indicating the rotation of the reels during operation here:

http://www.labguysworld.com/Ampex_VR-1500.htm

hope this helps clear up any right-left confusion.
jr

Aw-ha! It does help! Thanks JR!