THE OFFICIAL WEBPAGE

OF ROBERT D. WEST

PRESENTS

HOW TO FIX A VCR

"A paperclip can be a wondrous thing. More times than I can remember, one of these has gotten me out of a tight spot."

 - MacGyver 

You've been working non-stop for weeks, going from project to project to project.  You just found out your boss Pete volunteered you for a project you didn't even know about.  Your friend Jack has another get rich quick scheme he wants your help with.  Penny Parker wants you to hear her new song and dance routine.  You just need some time to yourself though, so you put a tape of your favorite western in your secondhand VCR and lay back on the couch for a little R&R.

Just one problem: as the tape starts to play, you hear this "click-click-click" sound.  The tape is playing just fine, but the noise is a little distracting.  You just can't enjoy your favorite movie like this.  You stop the tape and open up the VCR to investigate.

FIGURE 1 shows a very simplified view of the inside of a VCR, or at least, the part we are concerned with.  This is the deck the tape rests on in the VCR while playing.  To rotate the reels inside the cassette are two sprockets on shafts.  There are springs around the shafts and under the sprockets to keep the sprockets at the top of the shaft and in good contact with the ridges on the inside of the reels in the cassette.

The problem turns out to be that one of the springs that should be around the shaft holding up the sprocket is missing.  Without the spring, the sprocket is not making good contact with the ridges of the cassette reel, and keeps slipping, making the clicking sound.  Because this is the sprocket under the take-up (or initially empty) reel, and the supply reel (the reel with the tape on at at the beginning) spring is still there, the tape still plays fine, though toward the end of the tape it might not.

The solution is simple: you need a new spring.  The problem is, where can you get a new spring?  Now, you could probably go out and buy a new spring, but you're really not in the mood to go anywhere.  So, you need a spring, or at least something that will work as a spring.  The spring from a ballpoint pen is too small to fit around the shaft in the VCR.  Wait a second, how about that old standby, the paperclip?  A paperclip could certainly be bent into the necessary size of spring.  You go find a small paperclip, and a pen to shape the spring around, although any round object about that size would work.

Start by unfolding the paper clip.  You may not need to unfold it all the way, as one of the curves might have the right diameter to be part of the spring.   If this is the case, it makes a good starting point, otherwise you can start anywhere.  FIGURE 2 shows the process from paper clip to spring.

Once you've bent your new spring, all that's left is to put it in place in the VCR.  This is a simple task.  Remove the sprocket from the shaft.  Place the spring in place around the shaft.  You may have to adjust the spring at this point.  It should sit freely around the shaft, but it should not be so large that the sprocket can slip inside it.  Also, the spring should be tall enough that it will support the sprocket, but it should not be so stiff that it cannot be easily depressed.  Use the remaining spring for the other sprocket as a guide.  Once you have the spring in place and properly adjusted, place the sprocket back on the top of the shaft.  FIGURE 3 shows these final steps.

Now you can put the top back on your VCR, and it should be back in perfect working order.  At last, you can get on with the movie.  And just in time too, as this small project pretty much used up what remaining energy you had.  Just don't fall asleep on the couch during the western.  You just might have some rather interesting dreams.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:  

MacGyver and everything related is © Paramount Pictures.  This includes all characters and the vague references to actual episodes of MacGyver.  This site, and the content contained herein, including the "How-To's" and the accompanying diagrams, are my own creations and are © Robert D. West, 2003.  Neither I, nor this site, are affiliated in any way with Paramount Pictures.  Any opinions expressed in this website are my own and do not represent the position of Paramount Pictures in any way.  I am not, nor is anyone else, making any money from this website.  It is intended only as a fan tribute to the series, and as a way to showcase things I have done that reminded me of the series. Please do not take anything from this site for your own use without permission.  If you wish to link to this site, please link to my main page.

All website content, including graphics and pictures are © Robert D. West unless otherwise noted.  Content is not to be used out of the context of this webpage without expressed permission.  Any opinions expressed herein are mine and are not necessarily shared by the Milwaukee School of Engineering, or anyone else.

Questions? Comments? Critiques? Corrections? Concerns? Email me at westr@msoe.edu.