m II wrote:
I think you're right. I'm surprised the 'pinch wheel' or capstan or
whatever it's called hasn't deteriorated yet. I have an old reel to reel
with a rotting rubber 'pinchroller?'. I don't know if any new old stock
is available anywhere.

Ask in sci.electronics.repair. I'm pretty sure I've seen mention there of
a place that has some NOS.

--
If John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination,
my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin.