Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.

:Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.

James R.,

The engine starting fluid generally contains other petroleum additives which may be worse than the lube in tuner/control cleaner.

Radiodoc

Hi James

Starting fluid, ether, does a good job. Fumes alone get into place and clean contacts. Do not use anything cleaned with starting fluid until it's completely evaporated. I use it but seldom mention starting fluid as it catches fire easily. Do not use it around a heater with pilot light.

Norm

:Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.

Heed Norm's warning about starting fluid (with ether) flammability! Its extreme explosive quality in a contained area is what makes it valuable for starting reluctant diesel engines; its stated purpose.

I have used starting fluid for years to start diesel tractors, especially in cold weather. I have also witnessed other uses for its explosiveness in the construction area--extremely dangerous and definitely not on the OSHA list of safe practices.

By the way, there are at least two different kinds of starting fluid, ether and one containing petroleum distillates and no ether. The last can of starting fluid I purchased was the latter, much easier on an engine, but also not quite as effective in starting the engine.

Meade

:Hi James
:
: Starting fluid, ether, does a good job. Fumes alone get into place and clean contacts. Do not use anything cleaned with starting fluid until it's completely evaporated. I use it but seldom mention starting fluid as it catches fire easily. Do not use it around a heater with pilot light.
:
:Norm
:
::Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.

:Heed Norm's warning about starting fluid (with ether) flammability! Its extreme explosive quality in a contained area is what makes it valuable for starting reluctant diesel engines; its stated purpose.
:
:I have used starting fluid for years to start diesel tractors, especially in cold weather. I have also witnessed other uses for its explosiveness in the construction area--extremely dangerous and definitely not on the OSHA list of safe practices.
:
:By the way, there are at least two different kinds of starting fluid, ether and one containing petroleum distillates and no ether. The last can of starting fluid I purchased was the latter, much easier on an engine, but also not quite as effective in starting the engine.
:
:Meade
:
:
:
::Hi James
::
:: Starting fluid, ether, does a good job. Fumes alone get into place and clean contacts. Do not use anything cleaned with starting fluid until it's completely evaporated. I use it but seldom mention starting fluid as it catches fire easily. Do not use it around a heater with pilot light.
::
::Norm
::
:::Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $ Hello: Try Bill Turner web site www.dialcover.com Bill makes a contact cleaner that is very good and it is cheap.About #8.00 a quart.Bill had a stroke not long ago but his web site was updated Oct 30 o6 so he must be doing better.You can find his web site by going to this web on links in Chuck Schwark,s site.

:Heed Norm's warning about starting fluid (with ether) flammability! Its extreme explosive quality in a contained area is what makes it valuable for starting reluctant diesel engines; its stated purpose.
:
:I have used starting fluid for years to start diesel tractors, especially in cold weather. I have also witnessed other uses for its explosiveness in the construction area--extremely dangerous and definitely not on the OSHA list of safe practices.
:
:By the way, there are at least two different kinds of starting fluid, ether and one containing petroleum distillates and no ether. The last can of starting fluid I purchased was the latter, much easier on an engine, but also not quite as effective in starting the engine.
:
:Meade
:
:
:
::Hi James
::
:: Starting fluid, ether, does a good job. Fumes alone get into place and clean contacts. Do not use anything cleaned with starting fluid until it's completely evaporated. I use it but seldom mention starting fluid as it catches fire easily. Do not use it around a heater with pilot light.
::
::Norm
::
:::Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $ Hello: Try Bill Turner web site www.dialcover.com Bill makes a contact cleaner that is very good and it is cheap.About #8.00 a quart.Bill had a stroke not long ago but his web site was updated Oct 30 o6 so he must be doing better.You can find his web site by going to this web on links in Chuck Schwark,s site.

::Heed Norm's warning about starting fluid (with ether) flammability! Its extreme explosive quality in a contained area is what makes it valuable for starting reluctant diesel engines; its stated purpose.
::
::I have used starting fluid for years to start diesel tractors, especially in cold weather. I have also witnessed other uses for its explosiveness in the construction area--extremely dangerous and definitely not on the OSHA list of safe practices.
::
::By the way, there are at least two different kinds of starting fluid, ether and one containing petroleum distillates and no ether. The last can of starting fluid I purchased was the latter, much easier on an engine, but also not quite as effective in starting the engine.
::
::Meade
::
::
::
:::Hi James
:::
::: Starting fluid, ether, does a good job. Fumes alone get into place and clean contacts. Do not use anything cleaned with starting fluid until it's completely evaporated. I use it but seldom mention starting fluid as it catches fire easily. Do not use it around a heater with pilot light.
:::
:::Norm
:::
::::Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $ Hello: Try Bill Turner web site www.dialcover.com Bill makes a contact cleaner that is very good and it is cheap.About #8.00 a quart.Bill had a stroke not long ago but his web site was updated Oct 30 o6 so he must be doing better.You can find his web site by going to this web on links in Chuck Schwark,s site.

James,
About the cheapest thing that you can use is rubbing alcohol on a pipe cleaner. You can buy pipe cleaners with fine wires embedded in the floss that will do a really good job of scratching out any corrosion. May be hard to find any place but a tobacco shop. You can also use MEK available at a hardware store. Remington rifle bore cleaner contains a mild abrasive and might work good too. Just dip the pipe cleaner and swab away.

Will

Speaking of remmington, how about gun cleaner spray? It's a clear stuff that comes in a can.

:Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.
James: I use small cotton pipe cleaners (not the synthetic ones)to clean tube sockets and wafer switches. I dip the end of the pipe cleaner in a solution called "Goof Off" which is paint removing solvent commonly available. This really does an excellent job of cleaning (not lubing). I than lube wafer switches and sometimes tube sockets with a dielectric grease such as Dow Corning #4. You will find that the pipe cleaner scrubbing action does a superior job compared to a spraying action.

::Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.
:James: I use small cotton pipe cleaners (not the synthetic ones)to clean tube sockets and wafer switches. I dip the end of the pipe cleaner in a solution called "Goof Off" which is paint removing solvent commonly available. This really does an excellent job of cleaning (not lubing). I than lube wafer switches and sometimes tube sockets with a dielectric grease such as Dow Corning #4. You will find that the pipe cleaner scrubbing action does a superior job compared to a spraying action.

If you happen to have a Advance Auto near you , they sell the large can (14oz) of the CRC electrical contact cleaner for less than 5 bucks, this is also flammable but evaporates quick like alcohol, I have used it and it works good.
E.

Are these methods also effective in cleaning noisy pots? I'm just getting back into some repairs on several older units I've acquired. Thanks.

:Is there a good cheap cleaner for tube sockets. I noticed that contact cleaner is about $20 a can and tuner cleaner has a lube in it which I might not want everywhere. I was thinking about ether(starting fluid) or brake parts cleaner. They are only $1.99 /can.

I use a contact cleaner (about $10 a can). But my secret is to use a small brush, which I work into each socket. This combination really gets em clean.

Gary

Might I also interject an adjunct comment solely on the wired leads of 7 and 9 pin miniature tubes.

Upon inspection of the area closest to the bottom onf the glass envelope, one is typically going to find a dark oxide encircling the pins.

Tube socket construction varies in the respect of their clinching action.
One type almost completely encircles the inserted pin....~75 percent.
Another type of construction has two opposing semicircles that effectively contact maybe 25 percent of the pin.
The last unit is the common wafer socket with its two hoz planes that spread apart and probably touches but 10 percent of the pin area.

For immediate analysis, one can merely unplug the tube and reinsert and hope that some degree of cleaning was initiated by the scraping action.

For the surest action, I always reserve that to be attained by pulling the tube and initiating side to side overlapping scrapings...(on the longitudinal axis)...of each wire pin using an Exacto knife with its # 11 blade.
A final application of DOW Corning Z5 silicone grease applied with a fine artist brush leaves them in a protected shield. Free, even from tube heat sag /run off.

73 de Edd