Cleaning tube sockets?

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Cliff Schecht
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Cleaning tube sockets?

Post by Cliff Schecht »

How do you guys clean old tube sockets? I have two 8-pin sockets for my 5E8A build that are in dire need of cleaning and I've really never used recycled sockets. They're a good 50+ years old and are high quality, so I'd like to put them to use.

I'm thinking ultra-sonic cleaner to break up the light corrosion and dirt but I'm not sure what to use to clean the pins..
Cliff Schecht - Circuit P.I.
Andy Le Blanc
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Re: Cleaning tube sockets?

Post by Andy Le Blanc »

that crc QD Electronic automotive harness stuff works wonders

"safe on most plastics and paper"

you gotto watch out on really old sockets, sometimes the corrosion is the
only thing holding them together
lazymaryamps
gary sanders
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Re: Cleaning tube sockets?

Post by gary sanders »

Bob from Eurotubes had a video where he just sprayed the tube pins with some good contact cleaner and plugged them in and out a few times.Prob do that with your old tube
Cliff Schecht
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Re: Cleaning tube sockets?

Post by Cliff Schecht »

I take back my corrosion comment, they are just dirty as all get out. I'd like to avoid anything like contact cleaner because it will strip oils from the bakelite and dry it out methinks. Could be wrong there though.. I'm thinking rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Will this mess up the bakelite at all?
Cliff Schecht - Circuit P.I.
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selloutrr
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Re: Cleaning tube sockets?

Post by selloutrr »

if its just dirty. water and a toothbrush blow it out with compressed air. Craig deoxit on the contacts. good as new.
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Structo
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Re: Cleaning tube sockets?

Post by Structo »

If the sockets are easily removable I would replace them with high quality sockets.
Tom

Don't let that smoke out!
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