Every inner tube I remember has a seam and the thickness does vary.
Interesting the ideas that people come up with to solve a problem though.
Maybe a couple of wide rubber bands of the right size could be found and put
next to one another.

Alan Wyman
Senior System Integration Analyst
ReSound Corporation
Eagan, MN

> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Korb [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, September 18, 1998 11:01 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Covering capstan with bicycle tire innertube
>
> Okay, everyone is mentioning how quiet it is on the list today.  With that
> in mind, I'll start a new thread that is half serious, half in jest.
>
> One of the suggestions I received during "Need Tape Drive Help" was to cut
> a section from a bicycle inner tube and place it over the capstan.  The
> author didn't make any claims as to it working, but offered it as a
> suggestion as something to try.
>
> Since I don't have an old bicycle inner tube laying around, I'm working
> from memory, so please work with me.
>
> Do bicycle tire inner tubes have a seam, or are they the same
> cross-sectional thickness over their entire circumference?  I ask the
> question because my immediate reaction to the suggestion was that it was a
> rather ingenious idea and it might work if there was no seam on the tube,
> but if there was a seam, the change in thickness would most certainly
> cause
> tape movement problems.
>
> So, what does everyone think?
>
> John
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> John Korb                            email: [log in to unmask]
> Innovative Software Solutions, Inc.
>
> The thoughts, comments, and opinions expressed herein are mine
> and do not reflect those of my employer(s), or anyone else.