Replacement handle for Hitachi TRK-8100 radio tape recorder
Description
The Hitachi TRK-8100e was my first and only tape recorder in the 80s. The original one is still in my home country, but I managed to buy a used one locally. Unfortunately, the tape recorder was badly broken - there was no handle, the mic mixing knob was missing and the tape deck didn't work. First, I fixed the tape deck and made the 3D model of the mic mixing knob. But I still didn't have the solution for the missing handle. I wanted to buy a completely busted boombox in order to use its handle as the replacement, but I could not find any. So I decided to create one myself. My 3D printer is not able to print large parts - the maximum printable size is 200mm. But the handle is over 420mm long, so I had to figure out how to create it from multiple parts. It had to be the sturdy design - the tape recorder is quite heavy, so the handle that consists of 3 different 3D-printed parts would definitely have a problem with durability. There should be something solid as the core of such handle. After checking the local hardware store I decided to use the rectangular plastic tube as the core of the handle. The dimensions of the tube that I found were 11.5mm x 19.5mm and it was sold in 1 meter chunks. The handle parts are put onto the tube and are secured with three flat head screws. This allows to create a very sturdy handle that looks very similar to the original one. The side holders of the original handle are made from aluminium, so I had to improvise to create the sturdy replacement parts from plastic. The original clips that hold the handle inside the case were also missing, so I had to create the replacement ones too. They click nicely in place when pushed into the case. The plug (not shown on the photos) is needed to keep the center part of the handle firmly on the tube. So, it's strongly advised to install it. See the post-printing instructions for more info. The end result is not bad, though the new side holders of the handle are black, while on the original handle they are shiny. Also the handle bar is 3mm thicker than the original one, but that had to be done to fit the plastic tube into the handle's parts. See the assembly instructions below. Good luck in creating the replacement handle! The 11.5mm x 19.5mm x 1m rectangular tube can be bought in any decent hardware store, for example: https://www.hellweg.de/Maschinen-Werkzeuge/Eisenwaren/Profile-Bleche/Rechteckrohr-11-5x19-5mm-1m-weiss.html If you want to make a small donation in appreciation of my humble efforts, please use the "Tip designer" button on this page: https://www.thingiverse.com/Wierzbowsky/designs
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