Hello everyone, I promised myself to stop buying Walkmans, but this Sony WM-EX510 was only 8€. The seller said he was selling it at that price because he didn't know if it worked. Personally, I don't think there is much to do to get it working again. The belt obviously needs to be changed, the video below will convince you too. However, I wonder if the noise you hear on the video is a sign of another mechanical problem or if it is the result of the belt wearing out. What do you think? Of course, I can start by changing the belt to see if the noise disappears. Link to the video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nqub5r_unouV9tKORUl6SrPuZG9OYtYz/view?usp=sharing
Hi @Mighty Mightor . Please check @Valentin's thread over @ http://stereo2go.com/forums/threads...le-recorders-common-problems.7535/#post-55522. The clutch gear is most likely happy to be replaced. Thanks, Emiel
Thanks @Emiel for this quick answer. I know this thread, I have an EX7 which is waiting for a donnor to change the clutch gear. But the WM-EX510 is not listed in this thread. I guess it is not concerned or it has been forgotten.
Something that Valentin for sure can add; I suggested to him earlier today to expand the models listed under B602/B603 with WM-150, 170, F181, 190, 506, 2091, F2095, EX48, EX49, EX49C. There are many more that fall under that category of Walkman / mechanism. I am not entirely sure but if you would happen to have the service manual, I think the EX510 is similar to WM-EX560/EX562, WM-EX550/552, WM-EX660/662, WM-EX570. My EX508 most likely will also need to go in this group, potentially the EX612, 631 and 652 too. Just to name a few.
@Mighty Mightor I will be looking in the service manual to confirm if this model has the problematic clutch. However, from the video posted, it does seem the mech does not fully engage because of a slipping belt. I suggest replacing that and see what happens next. Given how little you paid for the unit, it won't be a loss anyway. @Emiel Will look onto EX508, EX612, 631 and 652. Thanks for mentioning those !
Some updates: it seems the EX631 and EX650/652/654 all have the problematic clutch. Will be added on the list. @Emiel if you know more similar units please help expand the list, cause I'm sure there are more. The telltale sign is the following: - if we look at the EX502/508 picture, we can see there are 2 intermediate gears between flywheel N and clutch assy: gear A and gear B. In the problematic one the clutch assy is directly connected to the first intermediate gear and there is obviously only one intermediate gear; - if we look at the EX612/622 picture, we can see that although the clutch assy is directly connected, the assy itself is smaller in diameter than the intermediate gear K. This also indicates a different mechanism, in which the clutch is friction type. The problematic one is magnetic, hence that metallic piece on top. I have identified 3 different types of mechanisms in these EX series, but only one has the problematic clutch. We must pay close attention, as all these 3 mech types are very similar with only slight modifications. @Mighty Mightor In regard to the EX510, given how it's pictured in the exploded view (which is a different style), I draw the conclusion it does not have a magnetic clutch. So my opinion is to go ahead and replace the belt. By the way, you certainly shouldn't stop buying walkmans, rather give other members and non-members and example of not spending much at all on these devices, unlike those people which pay $1000 for a D6C (which has a much lower value).
Thank you @Valentin for this precise answer. I was waiting for this confirmation before ordering the belt. Because if this EX510 could have become a potential donor for my EX7, I would have preferred this way. Now that I know it is not, I will replace the belt. By the way, I can say that this EX510 is the easiest model to disassemble that I have had so far. 5 screws and the cover comes off. The belt is directly accessible without dismantling or unsoldering anything.
So looking at the pictures, does the WM-EX618 (also known as the WM-EX511), belong to the EX612/622 category? Judging the service manual references to similar model and tape transport mechanism: - the EX606 is mechanically identical to this unit, and - the rather exclusive EX911 is Walkman the mechanism was first introduced in. I quickly checked the EX910 and EX921 service manual since I had these at hand (although I don't own the devices). These are not related to the EX911: both are listed as new for similar mech., with their own dedicated tape transport mech. Service manual link: https://freeservicemanuals.info/en/servicemanuals/viewmanual/Sony/WMEX511/WMEX618/ Due to size I can't attach it the post directly.
The 2 small intermediate gears are not present in the design with magnetic clutch, so I have to draw the conclusion that this is yet another mechanism, different from the ones mentioned above.
Belt received and replaced. It took only 10 minutes to open the case, put the new belt and close the case. As previously said, it is the easiest walkman to disassemble I had so far. The Walkman is now fully functional. This EX-510 is very small, has a good build quality and a good sound with the megabass on (2 positions). The rewind is also really fast ! I'm very happy with this one. Many thanks to all of you who helped on this.
I've created a new album with some pictures of this WM-EX510. For your eyes only... http://stereo2go.com/forums/media/albums/sony-wm-ex510.107/
Here you go! The EX508 is actually not that close of a relative. It’s mechanically upside down compared to the others photographed here and has the ingenious battery door that you can configure to fit 1 AA cell of gumstick battery. Both were most likely prone to failure, as the service manual supplement #1 is primarily about the clutch gear replacement, while suppl. #2 is about the housing and battery door redesign. The EX612 fits the EX510 and EX512 better and is technically more similar, from the button layout to the tape transport mechanism to the head orientation on the deck:
I like how the EX-508 has its buttons on one side. It reminds me of the WM-7, which is probably one of the first full logic walkmans and also one of my favourites. Also remind me of another walkman, the AIWA HS-PL303 (posted on another thread for repair advice) which also has its buttons on one side.
Indeed a nice layout and with these type of buttons (feather touch), only possible with full logic capable devices. Similar to many other Walkmans like you mentioned, and also to my personal 2nd best the Aiwa HS-EX2000 or HS-PX557. From a Sony view, it is like the EX70 and its close relatives.
