VHS Tape Dispenser

A box in my attic had an old video tape that I no longer care to watch (especially since they stream everything in better quality anyways). No, I didn't say because I don't own a VCR, mind you. Regardless, I didn't want to throw this VHS tape away and thought that it could be repurposed. I was curious if the heads that held the tape would be big/small enough to hold the standard scotch tape roll. After I had a stroke of inspiration and curiosity, I opened it up and marked what spots needed to be modified. Well then, let's get to it.

An old VHS tape

Screwdriver

Chisel or rotary tool

Pliers

Tape

Drill

Something to remove the labels (optional)

If you need a visual, check out my video on taking a video tape to a tape dispenser!

You will want to start by the screws that holds the two halves together (mine were 5x Philips), pic 1. The reels that holds the tape came out and I had to drill out the plastic that held the two pieces together, pic 2 & 3. I was originally hoping to place them back together with the replaced scotch tape but that was too wide. I am sure I can find something to do with the clear piece.

Depending on what movie/show the VHS was will determine how long it will take to remove. My movie was pushing the limit to the amount of space available and wound up dying the reel to the ceiling and letting gravity to the work (this actually took longer than I thought but was kind of mesmerizing), pic 4.

Once you get to the end, the VHS tape is held to the reel by a removable tab. Needle nose pliers made quick work of the removal and now your reel is clear, pic 5 & 6.

NOTE: I was curious as to what people were doing with the left over VHS tape (I made "hair" for like 10 minutes) and one of the more clever things I saw was making rope. It's up to you whether or not you want to repurpose it.

Next, was a dry fit for the scotch tape roll (pic 7 & 8) and then on to modifying the VHS case.

Most of the modifications are inside the case under the part that rotates 90 degrees. This swinging piece can be temporarily (or permanently, if you desire) removed by the spring. Once that is out of the way, I removed the pieces of plastic that would get in the way of the tape dispenser. This is seen by pictures 2 - 4. I did so by either flexing the plastic back and forth (like a coke can tab) and cleaning it up with the chisel/knife or just with the chisel itself. I was planning on using a rotary tool, but with how small the depth is and how tight pieces are, it got more in the way than I expected.

After the pieces were cleaned up, I cut some notches in the end piece where the tape would be removed/cut (picture 5) similar to the serrated piece of your typical roll of tape.

After I placed the tape roll in there, lined up the pilot holes, and screwed everything back together I was all set. I keep tape in the junk drawer (who doesn't) and I actually like how it sits flat in there, granted it does take up more room.

Thanks for checking out my Instructable and hopefully you get some ideas about modifying these old relics!