I installed new correction tape, but there's too much play in it. It keeps unravelling. I have no idea how to tighten it up. When I turn the take-up spool, it just unravels it more without tightening anything. Help? :(

Ah that's too bad. The tape probably got unraveled and stuck.

the tape coming back out and unravels the tape means the loading mechanism is the problem----when a tape goes in it loads the tape down, then it pulls the tape out of the cassette and puts it up against the drum with the video heads-----many of these are belt driven and a bad belt or belts will cause this----it is called the loading and or transport mechanism.......when it fails the arms come back but the tape does not get rewound back into the cassette so it mangles it when the cassette door on the tape closes----most likely a belt or the drive idler which also rewinds and fast forwards the tape.

I'm assuming you mean whe you thread the strainer basket pot into the pump and tighten it it ends up being 90 degrees off center? That means you cannot turn it and additional 270 degree. Unthread and wrap multiplul wraps of teflon tape onto threads. Then I'd add lightly add some pipe dope. Tighten the assembly up, but stop when it is snug and aligned. The combination tape and dope should keep it from leaking, but remember this would be a suction leak, so check carefully

On most compressors of decent size (yours fits this category), the shutoff and startup pressure points are adjustable. This is usually done using a pair of screws under a pretty accessible cover. The on/off switch usually goes through this cover and the smallest of the air lines will go here, too.

Run the compressor with this cover off and watch which set of contacts opens when it shuts itself off. The screw that adjusts how resistant these contacts are to opening is the one that determines at what pressure the unit will shut off.

Turn the screw 1/4 turn clockwise, bleed down the compressor enough for it to start back up, and note its pressure when it shuts off. This will help you determine that clockwise is the right direction, and roughly how much more to turn it to hit your target pressure.

One other thing to keep in mind. Many compressors have an adjustable outlet with a gauge. If you've got two gauges, it's likely one is for the outlet and the other for the tank. If you've got two gauges, make sure you're reading the right one. If you've got an outlet gauge you also have some kind of easy to use control for adjusting it without taking any covers off.

If this doesn't help, some clarification would help, specifically the make and model of compressor.

On the teflon tape, I see it applied the wrong direction frequently. Not saying this is the cause of your problem, but seems a handy place to mention it.

When looking at the business end of whatever male fitting is getting the tape (business end being the part that meets the fitting first), wind the tape CLOCKWISE. This way, when you install the fitting, the friction from the threads is trying to tighten rather than unravel your tape.

FF and Rewind are functions of the reels, not the capstans. If the reels fail to rotate in response to capstan-driven tape motion the unit will assume a broken tape or end of tape. I think you have a mechanical reel drive system failure. Take it to a shop for evaluation and correction.

Your take up spool or the pinch roller on the deck mechanism is probably not turning & causing the tape to spill into the deck. The cause of this could either be the motor is not turning the pinch roller if a belt has snapped or the clutch mechanism is not engaging the take up spool. If you remove the top cover & take a look at the tape when it is in play or rewind mode you will see if it spills on the right hand side, look to see in the right spool in the cassette tape is turning. The remedy would be to remove the deck mechanism & check the gears or belts.

Move carrier to middle with spacebar.
Open lid, remove black ribbon and old correction tape.
Gently pull new tape apart a few inches. attach take-up spool (empty one) to right post.
Pass through right ribbon guide, sticky side faces platen!
Unspool carefully thread through left ribbon guide.
Attach feeder spool to the left post.
Turn the right spool to tighten.

GL

Try taking the tape out and re-installing with the "dull" side towards the paper...if that doesn't work try a new correction tape.

The tape can't eject.

Sounds like the take-up reel isn't turning. Often the linkage for the take-up reel is used for both Play and Fast Forward. So test the Fast Forward.

I would look for a broken belt or slipping drive wheel. The fact that the tapes are unraveling tells me that the capstan is pulling the tape out of the feed reel.