Hub adaptors do not allow the use of 10.5" reels on machines which were not designed for them. A simple test: are the reel tables on your machine less than 3" in diameter, or the reel table spindles less than  10.5" apart? If yes, it cannot handle 10.5" reels (they physically do not fit). Another clue: virtually all 10.5" machines include a tape size selector switch (usually marked large/small, 10/7, or similarly) used to adjust fast-wind speed and torque; if your machine lacks this feature, it's likely made to accept only 7" reels. Incidentally, ignoring this switch's position can cause severe tape stretching and tape spillage or breakage when transitioning from fast forward or rewind to stop; don't forget to reset it whenever you change reel sizes...

Above is a Teac A-3300SX with 10.5" reels mounted using our hubs. Note the location of the reel tables way out in the far upper corners of the front panel; this is typical of most 10.5" machines and is necessary to provide clearance for the reels.	Above is a Teac A-2300SX; this 7" model's reel tables are more centered, making for a much shorter machine. The 7" reels shown  barely clear the head block; there simply is no room for larger reels.

Metal NAB reels are quite a bit thinner than plastic ones, and sometimes require spacer shims placed between the reel table and reel to prevent the tape from rubbing against the edge of the reel. On some older Akai models, the spindle lock doesn't tighten up enough to hold metal tape reels snugly against the reel table unless shims are used. This can cause the reel to rattle when fast-winding. We do not supply shims with our hubs or separately. The image above shows a manufactured one, but you can easily make your own from sheet rubber or the plastic lids found on margarine and cream cheese tubs. Thickness should be about 1.5mm, and diameter the same as the reel tables on your machine (usually around  4.25").   Use a  4" hole saw to cut the shim  (turn it slowly: by hand or with a variable speed drill); then enlarge the center hole with a ream until it fits over the spindle, and you're done!

Very old reel-to-reels which use push-on or snap-on rubber reel holders such as the Sony ones shown above will not work with our NAB adaptors (and be advised; the much more expensive  TZ-612 Tascam/Teac variety sold elsewhere will not work either).  These machines  were originally designed to be operated lying on their backs, before vertical operation became the norm. Teac's type TZ-610 hub was intended to fit such machines; this product was discontinued over twenty years ago, and sadly we know of no source for anything similar. If you are successfully using rubber push-on reel holders with 7" reels, do NOT count on them to secure a much heavier 10.5" reel. A metal reel which falls off the machine while in rewind or fast forward becomes a VERY dangerous flying object.

Why choose our hub adaptors? Ours are practically indestructable; the TZ-612 variety has moving parts which rub and wear, and can fall apart with age or if overtightened. We always have ours in stock and we control their manufacture; sellers of those other hubs mostly obtain them as they sell them, do not control their supply and cannot guarantee long term availability. And the BEST reason: ours are less than half the price, and generally cost less to ship... NAB 10.5" Reel Hub Adaptors; $24.50 a pair!!!