Cleaning Valve pins - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Biggles · 6th Dec 2005, 4:28 pm

A good method for removing tarnish and oxide from valve pins I've found is to dig the pins several times into a rubber adhesive block e.g. RS 692-817. This only works with B9A and similar, not octal types. A shot of switch cleaner then removes any residual dust left by the abrasive material.

Biggles.

newlite4 · 6th Dec 2005, 5:27 pm

Nice one Biggles. My favourite method is to use a fibreglass pencil (these are now available in Halfords), this rapidly removes oxide layers and leaves a smooth clean contact.
Neil

Biggles · 6th Dec 2005, 6:48 pm

Sorry, just realised my deliberate error, I should have said abrasive block, not adhesive block! You could end up with very sticky pins.

Biggles

stephanie · 6th Dec 2005, 8:30 pm

Rubber abrasive? Is that what we used to call a pencil eraser?

I've used erasers to clean up badly tarnished metal pins a few times. It works fine.

Biggles · 7th Dec 2005, 12:35 pm

Of course you would have to be careful while cleaning those expensive gold plated pins found on "extra high quality" valves. You could end up removing the gold altogether! Pencil erasers are good for cleaning edge connectors on pcbs but I'm not sure whether they leave any "bits". I would still finish off with a squirt of cleaner.

Biggles.

ekco1953 · 7th Dec 2005, 2:23 pm

Does anyone else remember the pin straightener/cleaner bases? (B7G B8A etc). Many, many years ago

we had them screwed to the test benches for convenience.

Does anyone still have any?

Jim

6th Dec 2005, 4:28 pm	#1
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Cleaning Valve pins A good method for removing tarnish and oxide from valve pins I've found is to dig the pins several times into a rubber adhesive block e.g. RS 692-817. This only works with B9A and similar, not octal types. A shot of switch cleaner then removes any residual dust left by the abrasive material. Biggles.

6th Dec 2005, 5:27 pm	#2
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Cleaning Valve pins Nice one Biggles. My favourite method is to use a fibreglass pencil (these are now available in Halfords), this rapidly removes oxide layers and leaves a smooth clean contact. Neil

6th Dec 2005, 6:48 pm	#3
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Cleaning Valve pins Sorry, just realised my deliberate error, I should have said abrasive block, not adhesive block! You could end up with very sticky pins. Biggles

6th Dec 2005, 8:30 pm	#4
stephanie Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Bern, North Carolina, USA Posts: 346	Re: Cleaning Valve pins Rubber abrasive? Is that what we used to call a pencil eraser? I've used erasers to clean up badly tarnished metal pins a few times. It works fine.

7th Dec 2005, 12:35 pm	#5
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Cleaning Valve pins Of course you would have to be careful while cleaning those expensive gold plated pins found on "extra high quality" valves. You could end up removing the gold altogether! Pencil erasers are good for cleaning edge connectors on pcbs but I'm not sure whether they leave any "bits". I would still finish off with a squirt of cleaner. Biggles.

7th Dec 2005, 2:23 pm	#6
ekco1953 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dalgety Bay, Scotland Posts: 131	Re: Cleaning Valve pins Does anyone else remember the pin straightener/cleaner bases? (B7G B8A etc). Many, many years ago we had them screwed to the test benches for convenience. Does anyone still have any? Jim