Thanks Norm, I've left it in bits for now til I get a clear head and retry.
I think that the record button should press even with just the bottom piece out and not in place with the upper section. Then i'm thinking that its nothing to do with the bottom section and thats fine but it is something else and not just the recording tab being depressed that allows the record button to be pressed.
Maybe the problem is with the record lockout lever on the lower section as it doesn't really do anything. Sure it connects to a long spring wire and up to the top of the deck to the lever that presses the tab but it doesn't seem to actually engage or move anything at the bottom to then allow the record to be pressed. There must be something I'm missing in putting it back together since all the cogs rotate no problem and seem to be in the correct locations. Every other button works so I think the lower section is fine.
I think that the record button should press even with just the bottom piece out and not in place with the upper section. Then i'm thinking that its nothing to do with the bottom section and thats fine but it is something else and not just the recording tab being depressed that allows the record button to be pressed.
Maybe the problem is with the record lockout lever on the lower section as it doesn't really do anything. Sure it connects to a long spring wire and up to the top of the deck to the lever that presses the tab but it doesn't seem to actually engage or move anything at the bottom to then allow the record to be pressed. There must be something I'm missing in putting it back together since all the cogs rotate no problem and seem to be in the correct locations. Every other button works so I think the lower section is fine.