Hi,

I’m restoring an early Western Union Simplex 2-B printer and I need to source the correct 5/16” tape and figure out configuration of the tape reel hub.

I notice a lot of the wider tape for the reperf available on ebay but almost no 5/16” tape. Recently there was a single roll of vintage tape I think was 5/16” but the seller did not include the width of the roll in the descripton. One thing I noticed was how small the hub was on the vintage tape roll. It appeared to be about 7/16”. Photo attached. I also found the Aetheric Message Machine Company sells rolls of 5/16” with a three inch hub.

My 2-B has what looks like a hook or hanger at the hub rather than a spool. See attached photo. The parts list for the 2-B shows there should be a spool or bushing on a shouldered machine screw.

Any advice or tips on where to source some tape and configuration of the hub are welcome.

Thanks!