I don't think any tube pins were made of stainless steel. The coefficient of expansion of stainless steel is several times higher than that of the glass used in the tubes. They used metals with a similar coefficient of expansion to the glass in order to reduce the likelihood of the glass cracking. That might help explain the presence of corrosion on the pins.
Just got a 1964 Mullard Yellow label today,, Sounds absolutely amazing but after about ten minutes it made this noise buildup sound and then a loud crack. Seller told me to use alcohol to clean the pins haha not gonna waste alcohol like that. so I'm glad theres a better method
I've created a Dremel bit that uses a material that is comparable to 3000 grit sandpaper. It slides onto the pin, one pin at a time and you pretty much just flip you Dremel on and back off, consent need much. And that's it, fresh connection 360°. Kinda clever huh Smitty? Love the video btw, this one inspired my idea 👌
I tried using a Dremel. I found that if you are not carful the thing whips around and can bend the pins. The microfiber towel also got caught up in the the Dremel and that was not fun. It is also too slow a method for me. I can clean one tube very quickly with the knife. It took longer with the Dremel. However I like the Dremel method better than any method that uses corrosive chemicals. Thanks for you input.
This is the worse way really . There are excellent chem products ( Deoxit is one of ) . Scrapping is NEVER a good solution ( pins can be laminated ) also you'll hve to clean the tube socket(s) too . The way explained on the video is like to have a mechanic as a surgeon .
If you do this a lot, get a cheap nail drill off amazon and some little fine polishing drill bits, the kind jewelers use to polish in the little nooks of jewelry. Polish those things right up and useful for cleaning just about any contact you can think of.
Hello, I just haven't got around to it . It is just me and my wife that run the business so time is short. The secret to cleaning these without destroying the tube is to buy these: www.amazon.com/Pieces-Cotton-Double-Precision-Double-Pointed/dp/B07H7HB4PQ/ref=sr_1_9?crid=30I0FJEUQGADR&dchild=1&keywords=small+cotton+swabs&qid=1594234032&sprefix=small+cotton+%2Caps%2C486&sr=8-9 After that it is just a matter of treating each tube as a Museum piece of art the needs restoring. I use a huge commercial lighted magnifying glass. Hope this helps.
Those words are referring to how many electrodes are characteristic to the valve. Triodes have 3 electrodes. Pentodes have 5 and so on. I am not going to hold a vacuum tube class here, but there are many on youtube to learn from.
I don't think any tube pins were made of stainless steel. The coefficient of expansion of stainless steel is several times higher than that of the glass used in the tubes. They used metals with a similar coefficient of expansion to the glass in order to reduce the likelihood of the glass cracking. That might help explain the presence of corrosion on the pins.
Thanks. I think that is correct.
Thank you. I have some 1968 tubes that were hissing till I cleaned like you!
Just got a 1964 Mullard Yellow label today,, Sounds absolutely amazing but after about ten minutes it made this noise buildup sound and then a loud crack. Seller told me to use alcohol to clean the pins haha not gonna waste alcohol like that. so I'm glad theres a better method
why not fine grit sandpaper?
I love the Mullard tubes.
I've created a Dremel bit that uses a material that is comparable to 3000 grit sandpaper. It slides onto the pin, one pin at a time and you pretty much just flip you Dremel on and back off, consent need much. And that's it, fresh connection 360°. Kinda clever huh Smitty? Love the video btw, this one inspired my idea 👌
I tried using a Dremel. I found that if you are not carful the thing whips around and can bend the pins. The microfiber towel also got caught up in the the Dremel and that was not fun. It is also too slow a method for me. I can clean one tube very quickly with the knife. It took longer with the Dremel. However I like the Dremel method better than any method that uses corrosive chemicals. Thanks for you input.
Thanks i was looking for a good way to clean the pins on tubes.
This is the worse way really . There are excellent chem products ( Deoxit is one of ) . Scrapping is NEVER a good solution ( pins can be laminated ) also you'll hve to clean the tube socket(s) too . The way explained on the video is like to have a mechanic as a surgeon .
Did you ever get around to making the video you mention here on how to clean the tube without destroying the silk screen? Thanks.
Use a solvent that will remove gunk and return the pins as per their original shine off the Blackburn production line
If you do this a lot, get a cheap nail drill off amazon and some little fine polishing drill bits, the kind jewelers use to polish in the little nooks of jewelry. Polish those things right up and useful for cleaning just about any contact you can think of.
It's very informative but where's your other video? The clean the outside of the tube without destroying the silk screen. Did you make one?
Hello, I just haven't got around to it . It is just me and my wife that run the business so time is short. The secret to cleaning these without destroying the tube is to buy these: www.amazon.com/Pieces-Cotton-Double-Precision-Double-Pointed/dp/B07H7HB4PQ/ref=sr_1_9?crid=30I0FJEUQGADR&dchild=1&keywords=small+cotton+swabs&qid=1594234032&sprefix=small+cotton+%2Caps%2C486&sr=8-9 After that it is just a matter of treating each tube as a Museum piece of art the needs restoring. I use a huge commercial lighted magnifying glass. Hope this helps.
Red tube in which old radio?
I found a brownish oil type of substance around the base of the pins on my tubes. anyone know what that is?
CRC or brasso would work too
use wire brush not knife
Actually the tube is a 1969. I looked at the tube quickly upside down and saw the 9 as a 6.
Hello... pl explain the pin configurations about triode, tetrode, pentode etc.
How pins to identify the valves configurations...
Those words are referring to how many electrodes are characteristic to the valve. Triodes have 3 electrodes. Pentodes have 5 and so on. I am not going to hold a vacuum tube class here, but there are many on youtube to learn from.
@Kevin Counihan Thank u so much...
OMG...Use a fiberglass pen brush!!! This is like using barbed wire to floss your teeth. A vintage tube is like fine jewelry, treat it as such!!
Yes, a fibreglass pen is a much better cleaning tool - scrapping the pins with a scalpel is way to aggressive.
FUCK NO! just soak them in a cleaner. I use a oven one. works 100%
🤣