R1155 loose tuning slugs

[unitelex]

Can't get my R1155 aligned properly because the tuning slugs are loose.

Set goes out of alignment if moved

Seems the slugs themseleves are OK but the former has no thread left
or maybe there was a rubber filler which has perished

Any clues or ideas welcome

Thanks,
Chris

[scotty29]

There are 2 methods to try:-

1 Remove slugs, stretch a thin rubber band into core, replace slug and trim.

2 Trim the cores, then seal with Bee`s wax or candle wax.

Harold

[Ian - G4JQT]

If the cores are very loose, you can take them out, rub the treads on candles wax (or dry soap) and screw them back in. I've found the thin rubber band trick only works if the band is very thin indeed. Waxed dental floss can work if it's thick enough.

The wax/soap in the threads just stabilises them in their threaded formers. Melted candle or bees wax as Harold suggests will keep them in the right place. Alternatively, clear nail varnish pinted over the core will stop them moving and the seal is fairly easily broken if you need to realign anytime.

Ian

[RobinBirch]

The original ones would have been very heavily sealed with bee's wax. I would suggest that you coat the slugs with bee's or candle wax and then when it is set up pour some in each end.

Robin

[Station X]

If you're using candle wax I find the best way is to cut off a small lump/s and drop it/them into the core. It can then be melted with a small soldering iron. If you try to pour or drip it in it invariably sets in the wrong place.

In the past I've used bits of darning wool from my mother's sewing box. That dates me. No one darns socks nowadays.

Generally I prefer nail varnish or typewriter correction fluid. It's much easier to remove should you need to make further adjustments.

The core adjustment screws in my AR88 are sealed with something which goes rock hard. Try to turn the brass screws witout removing it and you'll shear the heads off.

[RobinBirch]

Re 88 slugs.

That's good to know. I have to do one soon and I wouldn't want to wreck them.

Robin

[Station X]

I'm afraid I found out the hard way .

I managed to cut a new slot in situ using a cutting disc in a Dremel though. I bet I find that most of them don't need adjusting anyway

[unitelex]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas.

I'll have a go with the candlewax idea.

Do the formers have any thread at all? or did they rely entirely on
beeswax?

[RobinBirch]

From memory they are threaded but very loosely so if there is no wax in yours then it is not a surprise that they move.

Robin

[jim_beacon]

I think they were originally fixed with Shellac - I had to grind the old ones out from mine!

Jim.

[RobinBirch]

Jim,
Found both methods of fixing. If seen ones that have been shellac'd into place and ones where the cores are sitting in a sea of wax that I had to dig out to find where the slot was.

I've also found different methods on different parts of the set. For example the IF cores would be coated with wax and the radar interference cores on the top of the set would be shellac'd into place.

Robin