Magic eye clamping - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

egerton · 24th Jul 2018, 8:17 am

When I was taking the chassis out and cleaning the facia of my Ferranti 1016 I had difficultly removing magic eye EM84 from it's clamp. It was stuck fast. I coaxed it out very carefully and wondered if I was going to regret this, but luckily I did not break it. It seems to have what looks like plastic strips stuck to the glass envelope which are very brittle. This must have been high melting point plastic cushioning inside the clamp. Does anyone know what I should use to replace the clamp cushioning?

Thanks - Paul

red-duck · 24th Jul 2018, 8:29 am

I've had success with bicycle tyre inner tube. Original was probably rubber which has perished.

John M0GLN · 24th Jul 2018, 8:39 am

How about 'silicone rubber heat resisting kitchen mats'? Just looked at the ones we have which are about 1 to 1.5mm thick, soft and floppy and have shown no signs of deterioration after many times in the oven up to 250C, cheap and easy to buy.

John

David G4EBT · 24th Jul 2018, 9:24 am

Silicone rubber mats/sheet would be ideal. Widely stocked by kitchen shops, and for non slip mats from shops that cater for the disabled. You can buy small sheets of silicone rubber quite cheaply. EG: at this link you can buy a 200mm square sheet in thicknesses from 1mm, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 4.0 (up to 10mm) in white, red, blue, black and transparent from a UK supplier for £2.75 post free:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SILICONE-...-/330788411590

Lots of other applications in radio restoration where this sheet would be useful come to mind.

Hope that helps.

egerton · 24th Jul 2018, 10:50 am

Thanks for the ideas. The Silicone mats look suitable I will look in my local shops and if no joy will order online. Many thanks.
Paul

paulsherwin · 24th Jul 2018, 10:56 am

I think Poundland sell suitable silicone baking containers which could be cut up.

24th Jul 2018, 8:17 am	#1
egerton Pentode Join Date: May 2018 Location: Beverley, East Riding Posts: 110	Magic eye clamping When I was taking the chassis out and cleaning the facia of my Ferranti 1016 I had difficultly removing magic eye EM84 from it's clamp. It was stuck fast. I coaxed it out very carefully and wondered if I was going to regret this, but luckily I did not break it. It seems to have what looks like plastic strips stuck to the glass envelope which are very brittle. This must have been high melting point plastic cushioning inside the clamp. Does anyone know what I should use to replace the clamp cushioning? Thanks - Paul

24th Jul 2018, 8:29 am	#2
red-duck Triode Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia Posts: 40	Re: Magic eye clamping I've had success with bicycle tyre inner tube. Original was probably rubber which has perished. __________________ Best Regards Nigel VK6CPU Perth, Western Australia

24th Jul 2018, 8:39 am	#3
John M0GLN Octode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 1,156	Re: Magic eye clamping How about 'silicone rubber heat resisting kitchen mats'? Just looked at the ones we have which are about 1 to 1.5mm thick, soft and floppy and have shown no signs of deterioration after many times in the oven up to 250C, cheap and easy to buy. John

24th Jul 2018, 9:24 am	#4
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,763	Re: Magic eye clamping Silicone rubber mats/sheet would be ideal. Widely stocked by kitchen shops, and for non slip mats from shops that cater for the disabled. You can buy small sheets of silicone rubber quite cheaply. EG: at this link you can buy a 200mm square sheet in thicknesses from 1mm, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 4.0 (up to 10mm) in white, red, blue, black and transparent from a UK supplier for £2.75 post free: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SILICONE-...-/330788411590 Lots of other applications in radio restoration where this sheet would be useful come to mind. Hope that helps. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

24th Jul 2018, 10:50 am	#5
egerton Pentode Join Date: May 2018 Location: Beverley, East Riding Posts: 110	Re: Magic eye clamping Thanks for the ideas. The Silicone mats look suitable I will look in my local shops and if no joy will order online. Many thanks. Paul

24th Jul 2018, 10:56 am	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,966	Re: Magic eye clamping I think Poundland sell suitable silicone baking containers which could be cut up.