The tape separated from the spool when I re-wound the tape. Is there an easy fix for this? Thanks!

Miranda Allen, December 2004

I'm working on my vhs tape to. I've fixed them before but years ago. Go to Blockbuster. They fixed one of mine. Anyway there are six screws to unscrew. When you do look at the two white spools that the film goes around (if you get any tape you'll see it when you lift the hood part.) Anyway be really careful opening it cause I think there are three plastic pieces that may come out of place (probably will) so make sure you spot it otherwise you'll not know where they go. Memorize everything and slowly take the white spool off that the film came off of. get some clear tape and put some on the film and on the spool and wrap the film around several times (You'll just have to NOT WIND IT ALL THE WAY BACKWARD OR FORWARD otherwise it'll come off and you'll have to redo everything. well put everything back in place and the challenge is getting the plastic cover of the vhs back on without the insides going out of place. once you get it on then screw the screws back in!. If you forget where they go then look at another vhs tape for reference.

Jake, May 2005

No really easy fix you can do yourself, as the mechanism inside the cassette can be very fiddly and awkward to work with. Unless you have experience, opening the case will likely result in a wrecked tape.

If it's simply the opaque leader that has seperated from the spool it is repairable and there are several people offering this service on the internet. You may even find someone locally to carry out the repair.

Try camera stores or photographic services, sometimes they will do this type of work or transfer video from one format to another etc.

Cobweb, December 2004