Hi,
I just rescued an old (but really clean and low use) VO-1800 Sony U-Matic VCR from the dumpster, been working on it for a few weeks and it's almost back to its former glory. One small issue: I need to remove the bottom cover/plate. I have unscrewed the 4 feet but there are still several screws left, with one being rather unique. Is anyone familiar enough to say WHICH screws need to be undone? I don't want to risk it by removing all these screws, in case something is fastened that needs to stay in place. Anyway, I'd appreciate some advice. Attached is a photo. Thank you.

Never mind. I figured it out. I'm not sure if you need to remove the feet (I did) but all the other screws need to be removed as well. That's not all. There are two long additional screws (at the back of the unit) which need to be removed as well. Then you will be able to lift off the entire bottom along with the entire wooden structure (which also comprises the sides and back). Just pull the whole thing up carefully. You will then expose the entire bottom and sides of the VO-1800. I'm writing this in case anyone like me in the future needs to know.

Im glad ya figured it out bud :)

Me too :D

.... several 40 year old belts in there but they're still good. :thmbsp: Removed, cleaned, treated them with a rubber cleaner and they're all good as new. :eek: ...... :)

These machines never die... unless the articulated threading arm (that takes the tape out of the cassette and slides around a funny amusement park-like track) gets derailed during an threading-unthreading operation, and the tape tension sends it directly against the rotating drum. Anyway, nothing to worry, if the track the arm rides on and the arm itself are not too worn.
One must remember not to push a function button until the yellow "Standby" lamp goes out. The buttons get locked by a very strong mechanism, and if you try to push a button then, you can end with a badly hurt finger.

I love these machines.The daddy of the betamax .I agree, You cant kill them but they can kill you when they fall on you.

As long they are kept clean.tapes storage in a good location.They will run forever and pass the lifetime of our DVD collection.