Cleaning vacuum tube sockets? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Teledog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 01:27:17 am
content: Hi all.In the process of attempting to restore an old Fender Bassman amp.Lots of mickey-mouse work done already..hope I don't make it worse.Half the screws are mix & match..and worst of all..looks like acid core solder on the odd joints.I'll remove/clean up the solder hacks, but..the tube sockets seem flaky..they're not burned at all ..just oxidized.(And yes, replacing the electrolytics, which actually aren't leaking/that bad)I Do have Deoxit D5, but was wondering if anyone uses..or if they're available....some kind of a very fine brass (or WHY) tiny pipe cleaner(s) for cleaning the individual tube pin sockets?Is it a bad idea?Opinions?Thanks in advance!

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 02:44:46 am
content: Interesting question. Anything you do that might take a layer off of the inner surface of the metal will make the socket loose and you will have other problems. Any Anode pins being loose will result in arcing as well. I would squirt some switch cleaner and just keep inserting the tubes multiple times to get rid of the oxidation and "rinse" it all off with isopropyl alcohol.Best is to replace them altogether if you can get good sockets.

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 03:17:37 am
content: I also believe that replacing the sockets with brand new ones makes a lot of sense.The thin contact plating may have already corroded away by the acid flux.An attempt to “clean” them will leave the base metal exposed, which may oxidize as its protection plating is gone.....Of course, I have not personally seen the unit with my eyes, and my assumption may prove to be not wholly accurate.

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 11:15:01 am
content: Quote from: schmitt trigger on October 18, 2019, 03:17:37 amI think that too.. but it has been very hard to find replacements...and not even for those old sockets... the binding posts for tubesand classic stuff is now almost impossible to find...I still use some binding posts as they are almost unique puttingthose leaded components fixed properly...If you have a good reliable source for both (sockets and binding posts)please drop it here... it will certainly have a consumer market - still todayPaul

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 01:36:11 pm
content: My source for tin or gold plated tube sockets is Akihabara.But that's not much use to you unless you get desperate. I can send you some if you run out of luck locally.

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 01:44:48 pm
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on October 18, 2019, 01:36:11 pmfor that BEST sells a good GOLD PLATING KIT.Although not cheap.. it does the job pretty damn fine..http://www.soldertools.net/products/Gold-Contact-Replating-Kit.htmlJust in casePaul

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2019, 07:09:00 pm
content: Here are some suppliers:https://www.parts-express.com/cat/vacuum-tube-sockets-retainers/1772https://www.tubedepot.com/t/diy-central/tube-socketshttps://www.thetubestore.com/parts-accessories/tube-socketshttps://www.tubesandmore.com/products/tube_accessories

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 08:24:23 pm
content: I’m in hospital at the moment, and the nurse-call pendants use octal type connectors!They’re so unreliable! You think over the last 50 years they may have come up with something better.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2019, 08:39:45 pm
content: Hope you will get well soon.Those Nurse Call stuff is the same here also. I think that is to discourage the patients from calling them!

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2019, 01:00:21 pm
content: Plug an EL34 in and see what happens...