29 Aug
2025
29 Aug
'25
7:45 p.m.
On Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 11:36 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
There are many versions of the Teac FD55B which seem to share only
similar model numbers and specifications. Some are better than others.
> It's TEAC 55. Only one of those spacers
was there.
On Fri, 29 Aug 2025, Tony Duell via cctalk wrote:
Another part of your machine that's been
swapped out at some point.
But, arguably a GOOD swap,
The Teac 55 (55B?) is a good drive. The Qumetrak 142 (5155 and PC/Jr) is not.
I had almost as many failures with it as with the BASF 2/3 height drive.
What failed? I've had the ones in my 5155 totally apart and they don't
seem difficult to repair. Electronic faults should be easier to fix
than those on the Teac due to the latter's use of custom ICs.
The Qumetrah 142 is SLOW steppoing track to track. Slow enough that one
of the reasons ihat IBM released 2.10 included setting a longer track to
track time
According to the Techref, it's 6ms step time, which seems reasonable.
And I have verified (using a drive exerciser) that the ones in my 5155
will do that.
-tony