UPDATE: So I’m running a 3-part LIVE workshop that takes us on… A Time Travel Through Vintage Electronics. We’ll rewind the clock, dive into the tech of the times… (and study the very history of how things were broken and repaired has evolved) The workshop is coming soon, but if you're reading this then you're in luck (or not)... And there's still time for you to sign up using the link below: www.menditmark.com/mend-mark-workshop The workshop dates are mentioned in the link above too.

Masterful diagnosis, fabrication, repair, story telling, and filming! Doesn't get any better than this.

@VarunHaridasIsHere

4 ай бұрын

True

@DavidB-rx3km

2 ай бұрын

And those youtubers recapping Amiga 1200s think they are experts; well done, you replaced a belt on a walkman - this man is a true expert! Watching this inspired me to fix a memory module I had, and I made a complete mess of it. :(

He is an artist technician entertainer and scientist- all in one.

I’ve never seen anyone work to this level of detail. Mark really is the best engineer I think I’ve ever seen at work. Be honest - who else would’ve swept this all into the bin hours ago? 😂😂

@amnril

4 ай бұрын

That’s a £1000 deck nowadays so it’s worth the effort 👌

@analoglooney

4 ай бұрын

Not me. It would have stayed on the bench until it worked. You have to be patient with 40 year old cassette decks and the customer has to be willing to pay, which is always the problem. All you ever hear is 'I'm sure it's something simple'

@Blitterbug

3 ай бұрын

@@analoglooney This. It's all I hear, and you _know_ you won't be able to charge for the work that's actually needed.

Of course Mark's skills are superlative, but credits to Aiwa for such a great service manual. Today, not even in high end electronics you will find such literature!

@artsimannisto5659

4 ай бұрын

that AiwA is a masterpiece of an era. Total topnotch.

@johnsampson1096

4 ай бұрын

Both AWAI and Mark are both superb. I agree, great documentation is necessary for complicated products.

@Nimboid-20

4 ай бұрын

The original manuals are even better than you see here - the circuit diagrams are overprinted in blue, so the component legends are legible.

As a retired engineering technician myself, watching Mark's videos makes me wish I was back on the job.

@paulmichaelfreedman8334

4 ай бұрын

What's wrong with having it as a hobby? Then you also get to choose what you work on.

@HansDelbruck53

4 ай бұрын

@@paulmichaelfreedman8334 Don't have a proper place to set up shop at my house, although I may in the future.

@paulmichaelfreedman8334

4 ай бұрын

@@HansDelbruck53 I know what youy mean. I have about 8 square meters for my little mancave. I make do by making optimum use, but I really need three times the space.

@Edisson.

4 ай бұрын

Eight square meters 😂 you can dance while working, I have a workplace in a space of 0.8 x 2 meters in the corner of our bedroom (the photos are on EEV, the last modification of the workplace is on page 194 and I think it starts on page 139 my nick Edison) before that I had a workplace built into wardrobes. When you want space, you can always find it 😁 Nice day 🙂Tom

@user-zn8dw6ki4x

2 ай бұрын

😢

My wife and I absolutely love watching Mark. She has no interest at all in electronics or soldering but sits there completely captivated. Brilliant. Looking forward to part 3.

@BM-jy6cb

4 ай бұрын

You're a lucky man. Mine is derisory about any interest I have...

@bluesyjazzer1156

2 ай бұрын

@@BM-jy6cb look for another woman 🤣😂

This conscientious work ethic and precision is something many people would envy.

Does anyone else just want to throw away their soldering iron after watching these incredible videos? I will never be on this level

@Barbarapape

4 ай бұрын

I have spent over 50 years doing consumer electronic repairs and your soldering iron remains by your side, but more often than not todays gear requires a rework hot air station. Mark is a master of his craft.

@danp101

4 ай бұрын

I might not throw it away...but seeing Mark I deff know I would've kicked that cassette deck all over the place...then have more work to fix it 😂

@Barbarapape

4 ай бұрын

I can understand that, Mark has a more laid back but thorough way of trying everything he can to fix the difficult ones.@@danp101

@sharonleibel

4 ай бұрын

I saw many technicians in the 90s, But I've never saw this low level of repair, Rewiring motors, Rebuilding plastic knobs... In the air force it's called "Level D Work". A Level - Airplane level repair, B - Garage, D Level - Lab. Not many people reach level D.

@Barbarapape

4 ай бұрын

I worked for the MOD as a civilian and you were only allowed to use the official spares not design amd make your own. Mark is very dedicated to his work and tries everthing he can to repair anything to full working order. This is fine if it is a hobby, but you can't make a living doing these depths of repairs.@@sharonleibel

When you smile, everyone smiles back

The quality of your films keeps getting better! Well done Mark

It's a good job these videos are in parts as it gives the customer time to save up for the final bill.

PCB design and build! Next level repairs now Mark. Great stuff!

I have a lot of respect for this guy. Who on earth has this kind of passion..

wow, this fix is a real test of patience and determination!

@analoglooney

4 ай бұрын

All 40 year old cassette decks are. LOL. They are the most time consuming repairs by far and you have to be sure the customer will pay for the time. Most machines had a service life of less than 5 years so it's amazing any of them are still working at all.

I almost didn't bother watching this one because I'm not a fan of cassette tape decks and don't think they are worth mending but I'm glad I did ! I came to the conclusion that it's not the equipment that I enjoy, it's the troubleshooting and diagnostics that keep my interest !

Amazing, this is what I do for a living and I would have given up on that thing and kindly told the customer to toss it. Mark you're fantastic.

This is how it's supposed to be. None of this, 'something's gone wrong with it so chuck it out and replace the whole thing', malarkey, here. Diagnosis of the fault and repair/replacement of individual components to make things work again, is the order of the day. Something that requires skill, knowledge oh, and the right equipment.

Mark, your pcb manufacturing technique is nearly identical to mine. When I was 18 (I am 52 now) I made my own UV box for exposing photo positive pcbs, and I still have it, and I still use it 😁. And I also use double layer transparencies, laser printed. Back in the late 80s I had transfer sheets with through hole pads and traces and actually made them by hand until I got a second hand laser printer for 25 guilders in 1992 (About 5 1992 pounds) ,an HP laserjet II (300 dpi). Late 90s I got a 1200 dpi laser printer which gave the designs razor sharp traces. I also mucked about with a roland plotter but it was cumbersome and slow. It's now disassembled waiting for a laser head for directly exposing photosensitive pcbs, in a bitmapped scanning configuration (no vectors). Will be driven by a pi pico's PIO state machines. God I love reminiscing those days.

The gold standard of electronics repair!

One day I did a similar repair of Texas Instruments Calculator. Someone stilled gasoline on it. Its PCB and LED panel got damaged after. So I carefully soldered out all components, and then made a new PCB with a similar technique as in the video. I had to buy a new LED panel though. The calculator worked again as new after I soldered back all components. This video is a very nostalgic for me.

Probably this service should cost to the owner the same as an out of the box Nakamichi Dragon, but with silver face plate hahahaha! It's priceless!! Amazing analysis and repair job Mark!! Thanks for sharing!!

I haven't watched the new episode yet but wanted to comment how happy I am to see a new episode posted today. Cheers everyone watching or about to watch and to Mark for the hard work he puts into the videos for us.

G,day Mark from Sydney Australia. I can't believe how complicated a 1980s tape deck is. I guess pre- MOSFET * Really like your crocodile clips for bench multi meter uF testing. * Manufacturing the PCB and scavenging the components for the DC motor was "jaw dropping" * Dolby noise reduction, such an 80s feature. * Those caps at power supply, didn't show any deformation (swollen tops) * I Wonder if you could purchase a new DC motor for that model, instead of internal PCB power modulator? Thanks for filming your work. 🌏🇦🇺

I am gobsmacked about the care and ability that is portrayed on this channel. Of all the other channels of this stripe, I have never seen anything to match it. I probably would be horrified if I knew how much it cost to do the repairs; I particularly have a thought about my laser player that won’t spin up back from the 90s whose caps are probably ancient history. But I understand and truly enjoy watching the craftsmanship. Bravo. They don’t make craftspeople like you much anymore.

Awesome! I have 10% of your skillset in diagnosing issues like this - I would have given up probably after the motor PCB rebuild! Now you have me hooked on waiting for part 3...

This is the best electronic repair show on you tube well done informative and humorous

I LOVE YOU MARK.. A TRUE ELECTRONICS SURGEON, BROOKLYN NY

Your channel is addictive. I’m constantly checking it for updates. This (at least) three parts series is top notch. Considering how much time you’re spending on this project, this tape deck must be invaluable. Keep up the good work!

For many years in bands and professionaly in AV production we used cassette as our universal playback & working medium. Cassette was simply everywhere, until a flirtation with Mini Disk for some of us & R-DAT for AV & Video production. I still own a Denon Dolby-C deck now. Cassette had some limitations, but it was so convenient as a near universal medium. It's a pity that internally these decks are often complex & a bit fragile. It's a blessing that someone (Indeed anyone anywhere) might be able to keep these decks alive. Even if it's only to transcribe our work over to a digital file format. What an amazing man.

Mark has the patience of a saint! I would've given up when I found a replacement motor wasn't available. Kudos!

Mark, hi from New York City. It’s a pleasure watching you work. Thanks for the vid!

Right up my street this; the diagnosis, fault tracing, playing the scope like an expert musician, using common sense for substituting unavailable components & just the awesome hand skills and inventiveness. I am in awe. These videos are simply compulsive viewing & so watchable for any tech out there and the rectification skills are matched by the superb multi-camera editing skills. It must take hours & hours to put these together & I hope I speak for everyone by saying a big thank you for entertaining us all with your superb videos. Well done Mark.

I’ve never seen this man loose heart. Even after making some pretty humiliating blunders (for Mark anyways), he is immovably cool, calm, and collected. He Should’ve been an astronaut for how professional he is!!

Je n'ai jamais vu autant d’énergie et de moyens développés pour la réparation d'un appareil de ce type... Bravo !! I have never seen so much energy and resources developed for the repair of a device of this type... Well done !!

I personally am completely baffled by all of Mark’s techy talk which I don’t understand and have no interest at all in electronics but his skill engineering and know how just keeps you glued to your screen. Well done Mark you should be on mainstream TV.

@xxxxDuke

2 ай бұрын

Mend it Mark on British TV? I think the farm animals who watch it would be bemused

most of the time I have no idea what you are doing. But I am absolutely here for it! Il get the popcorn for part 3

Not just the electronics, but the mechanics too. You, my friend, have golden hands and brain

I would recommend that you expand certain rails on the PCB to provide a flood fill. This will help heat dissipation but the main effect will mean less copper to etch which will mean your ferric chloride will go further.

One of the depressing things about watching Mark work is that you just know the repair techs in 90 percent of the places most of us live would *NEVER* apply this level of expertise and time/work/diagnosis to some old tape deck we brought in. Technicians like this and 12voltvids guy are a heartbreakingly small percentage of what you can find out there.

Waited patiently for Part 2 .... Amazing Mark ! Now I have to patient again ....

This video is just perfect, the direction, the framing, the telling, the repair... I can only learn from a channel like this! Thank you for these great videos.

Mark you continue to amaze me! Nothing seems to quell your can-do or can-fix. Such a level head! Today's electronics weren't exactly made to be repaired. Those engineers obviously never met you!

Great work on something way more complicated than it should be! The history on those AIWA systems is an electrical nightmare. On the up side, they did sound nice while they worked.

joys of fixing vintage electronics

Mark is one persistent patient engineer at repairing complicated electronics, above my class of skills.

It's like watching a combination of a brain surgen and an artist , your skill set is honestly next level, on another video a toggle switch was missing, no bother I'll just get on the lave and make one, and it was better than the originals , great work Mark

Amazing patience, knowledge, and tools. Captivating to watch.

This three parter (surely it will only be 3) is amazing so far, it covers so many different topics.

I like the way Mark is more than happy to share the things that don't work out. That's real world fault-finding - showing the entire process. And everything gets fixed in the end - the only variable is time. But I'm not sure I would have the time and patience to design and build my own motor controller to run the motor I re-wound myself. I dofff my cap to you Mark. Top man!

Such a nice guy, allways in a good mood.....so much fun to watch his videos! 😘🙏

Finally part 2, what a cliffhanger that was!

Mark... I have Watched many many many Electronic Repair Videos on KZread and I can Truly Say this is the Best!!! No One uses Heat or Cold anymore. Who would Rewind a Motor today? Let alone make a PCB? When was the last time you saw a Slolder Sucker!? A Must See for all Technicians starting out!

You sir, have the patience of a saint! I sincerely hope all of your hard work comes to fruition.

Mark, I just discovered your channel and love your videos! I have an Aiwa F770 that has been apart in a box for over a year waiting for me to finish repairing it. It's almost as complicated as yours and is a pain to work on. I had already gone through some of the same mechanical issues as yours had. My motor was messed up too. These videos inspired me to get it back out to finish troubleshooting a record problem. I just found and fixed the cause of that problem. The SFR501 and 502 were both open circuit. The style pots they used have mechanical connections for where the leads connect to the carbon traces, and they are flaking out with age. I hope no more problems show up as I button things up LOL

@Nimboid-20

4 ай бұрын

Does your 12v regulator get hot? Mine does! Something's making it work harder than I'd like.

Just amazing talent. Almost impossible to find this level of knowledge these days. Thank you for sharing this project with us.

UNbelievable - the lengths he goes...!

The owner could have bought a dragon with the repair costs, however fantastic to watch a master at work

I have this same Tape Deck, same problems and squeals with a shifty pitch motor. After watching your video, I may not take on the effort. If I do, I will be listening in again. Thank you so much!

This is on a totally another level of repair. I just don't want the video to end. Awesome work making the new board for the motor. Awesome work.

don't know what i was more excited about, The Mandalorian season 2 _or_ Mend it Mark Aiwa 3-head cassette deck repair part two. might just be the latter. here we goooooooo!

why have you not got a million subscribers. Love watching you work mark.

You are such an Inspiration to all us diy electronic buffs Mark. Keep up the good work.

Can’t believe the orgy of wires in that thing. Kudos for handling it!

@Edisson.

4 ай бұрын

Those wires were tied into elaborate forms, the machine is after some inexpert intervention and it's even harder to find a fault - you don't know what was inexpertly affected Nice day 🙂 Tom

Mark. Wish you wouldn’t put new vids up ……..my life goes to a stop till I see the end ….,I’m not an electronic engineer. Far from it ….but got hooked on marks vids …..like watching. A detective solving a crime ….addictive 10/10. Till the next one. Thanks mark 👌

This is some amazing stuff. Never seen anyone fabricate a pcb from scratch. Again. Amazing stuff.

As soon as that pcb came to life outta that gooey stuff, the respect-level-meter increased exponentially 🙌 hat's off to you sir

I haven't watched it yet but I have been eagerly awaiting part 2.

Mark hurry up with part 3 ….absolutely brilliant stuff 😁

I could watch these all day.. 😊 I get consumed by Marks enthusiasm and total skills.

man i love how old school you even down to making your own pcbs

This was a master class on super detailed down to the bone electronics repair and troubleshooting. I am not a person that gives up easliy. But this cassette deck would've kicked My butt. Made me want to throw away My soldering and work station.

Couple things, 1. love the SITEREP at the beginning. 2. hope whoever you repaired this for enjoys their tapes for many years to come, even though it seems like a lot of work for an aged media. 3. Love the content I don't do much electronic repair, but your knowledge and recording of your work will prove priceless to the future of mankind. Ever come to Cleveland OH USA look me up, happily buy you a beer or a pint :) Also congrats on 68K subscribers. Hope it gives a good feeling inside that your content and hard work affected so many.

Wow Mark what a skilled man you are.

I remember auditioning one of these decks back when they were new. I was mightily impressed with its performance. The only thing that held me back from purchasing one was the price! Insanely expensive, but this video explains why its cost was so high. Mark, your diagnostic skills are second to none, your quality of repair, camera work and editing make your videos a pleasure to watch. Thanks for posting such superb content. Catch you on the next one!

Please part 3, just to see if you can revive this crazy complex recorder. Thanks for all your videos, they are really entertaining and full of useful hints to electronics repair.

Really enjoyed that Mark, i wasn’t expecting a Part 3 but I’m glad there will be as i love these old cassette decks, thanks

Fantastic work as always Mark. I commend you for putting that much effort into an Aiwa.

I never seen in my entire life so complex repair /project !!!!

Very interesting Video and a very nice Guy too!! Best regards from Germany!

Mark amazing , you need an honour you are the king of dedication creativity and perseverance, absoloutley brilliant . Looking forward to the next video !

Very educational, guy simply refuses to give up, I appreciate that!

Hi Mark 😲 WoW absolutely amazing diagnostics and repairs 👍, on the one hand I'm a former service technician (today it's just my hobby, which I returned to six years after my workshop was completely robbed), but above all a huge fan of the AIWA brand. Fortunately, I never had such big problems, with my AD M700 tape deck, I changed the motor after 9 years of use (fortunately, I got a new original), I changed the heads and the pressure roller. After thirteen years of operation, I replaced it with the AD F910 model, where after about ten years of operation I changed all the belts - I still have the whole assembly today and it works absolutely perfectly - newer machines have long since given up. I admire your care and thoroughness, there are not many such thorough technicians (I am also very careful and I value such precise work all the more). Your enthusiasm and humor is contagious, I always look forward to every new video and I'm so glad I discovered your YT Nice day 🙂 Tom

@user-ud9rn7dw6q

4 ай бұрын

I have the adf 910 it’s a great deck always liked aiwa 😊

@tremayne3

4 ай бұрын

I also own the magnificent M700.

@Edisson.

4 ай бұрын

@@tremayne3 Congratulations it's an absolutely amazing machine. In 1991, I was working on a sound program for our agency and I needed to record some sounds and noises from the archive of the Czech Television. I was very surprised when I found a rack with thirteen AIWA M700 tape decks in a recording studio next to top professional studio tape recorders. Nice day 🙂 Tom

@Edisson.

4 ай бұрын

@@user-ud9rn7dw6q🙂

@Edisson.

4 ай бұрын

@@user-ud9rn7dw6q Great machine, originally I wanted to replace my M700 with a 9000 but it cost like three 910's and I didn't have that much money. The XK-S9000 model has such a peculiarity (the 7000 model also had it), the mains transformers are mounted on the outside of the rear panel in metal boxes. Nice day 🙂 Tom

Awesome! The saga continues 😀🏆

I actually know a couple of very capable and experienced electrical engineers and both of them said that they would have recycled this for parts many hours ago - and both are awed and amazed at Mark's level of detail and expertise in Getting. It. Done. 😲

I'm super impressed by the capabilities you have with repairing this! Far above and beyond for your customer. That is a nice tape deck.

One of the best channels for electronic repair by far! 👏👏

Best one yet! Fantastic detective work, Mark.

This is how I started learning electronics many years ago. I am now at a desk designing and coding stuff proffesionally. Still this brings back fond memories of g´taking things apart, fixing them and putting it all back together. Invaluable knowledge to have.

I don’t need Netflix anymore. This is so thrilling!

Yes!! Mark, would you be interested in testing/overhauling a car radio/amplifier from a Mercedes-Benz 190SL from 1958 and shoot a video about mending it?

@dedicatedmusiclistener2301

4 ай бұрын

this sounds like a cool video

@iNireus

4 ай бұрын

Brilliant!! Any idea how long before you are taken orders again? Sony MD Walkman MZ-1 eject and insert with intermittent TOC reading errors

You make your own PC Boards. Mark, is there no end to your talents? CHEERS !

I love watching you do these intricate repairs and whenever you chuckle along the way, it's contagious and I feel delight :)

This guy is a bloody genius. Hats off to you.

That is awesome work, Mark. With all the time you’ve put into it, that deck would be Nakamichi value.

Now _this_ is what I'd watch on TV!

I am loving the channel Mark. I have watched most of your videos. The only complaint I have is that there are not enough videos. A couple per week would be great!

i thought12voltvids was good but mark is on another level .I love tape decks and look how much work is going into is this deck ..I cant wait for the conclusion

Just pure pleasure to watch..

Svaka cast majstore,skidam kapu. Veliki pozsrav iz Srbije