Deep cleaning tube sockets

[guitarpedaladdict]

i need to clean tube sockets in an amp and deoxit alone is not cutting it. I was goin to try using pipe cleaners on a chopstick with deoxit, but wondered what those in the know would suggest?

I'm fully aware of voltage issues at play here and will be using a multimeter before sticking anything in the sockets

Any suggestions?

 

[Blue Strat]

Has Deoxit changed their formulation? It doesn't seem to work as well as it once did.

These brushes work well http://www.gumbrand.com/between-teeth-cleaning/interdental-brushes.html

 

[Jeff Gehring]

I just use a couple of dud tubes that I keep around for the cleaning task: a noval and a plastic bodied solid state rectifier for the octals. Shoot the pins with DeOxIt, then plug and unplug the cleaning tube several times then re-tensioning octal pins as necessary.

 

[Trout]

There are brushes made just for this application,
Saw some on ebay (no affiliation)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tube-Socket-Cleaning-Brush-Set-Brushes-Size-Mini-to-Antique-/201062814525

 

[guitarpedaladdict]

Thank you all for the input, the tooth brushes and ones on ebay were exactly what I was looking for.

Re: deoxit, I recently had an old Lexicon PCM unit serviced and the shop in LA told me to try and find the blue label version for future use. Mike, you are correct, something was changed about the Red version that can lead to build up on... your sockets... among other things.

I had a drop in plate voltage that would bounce back up a little bit after using the deoxit and another tube going in and out of the sockets, but would settle back to the lower number shortly after. I'm thinking the brushes and retention should do the trick.

Hawaii is pretty awesome for a lot of things, but electronics and guitar strings are not one of them...

 

[Blue Strat]

The red stuff doesn't seem to clean heavily oxidized tube pins the way it once did.

 

[guitarpedaladdict]

The red stuff doesn't seem to clean heavily oxidized tube pins the way it once did.

I completely agree. I had my Lexicon PCM serviced by http://www.advancedmusical.com/ (no affiliation) and they were the ones who told me that something had changed about the formula. I wonder if something in the previous version suddenly became unfriendly to the EPA...

 

[Timbre Wolf]

I wonder if something in the previous version suddenly became unfriendly to the EPA...

I'd look more to hazmat shipping reg changes...

- T

 

[guitarpedaladdict]

I'd look more to hazmat shipping reg changes...

- T

Thank Thom, makes sense.

While were at it, anybody have any favorite tools and tips for tightening the sockets after I'm done cleaning? Again, given my salt air challenges, I'm trying to become more self-sufficient in amp care.

 

[swiveltung]

I've used those dental brushes or pipe cleaners. None is that great though. Be sure to tighten the sockets.

 

[zenas]

Dammed salt air ! I live a long, long, depressingly long, way from salt water. But luckily every winter tons and tons of salt gets spread on the roads.
What's this have to do with tube sockets?
The electrical connectors on my 66 Volvo get messed up and no cleaner I've tried works. A wire brush does.
But I can't think of a wire brush that'll fit in a tube socket.

I'd be looking at torch tip cleaner from a welding supply place. Or a real small round file.

 

[guitarpedaladdict]

There are brushes made just for this application,
Saw some on ebay (no affiliation)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tube-Socket-Cleaning-Brush-Set-Brushes-Size-Mini-to-Antique-/201062814525

I ordered a set of these, thank you. I'll report back in after they arrive and I find a moment to pull the chasis and try them.

 

[Jeff Gehring]

For retensioning octal tube socket pins, I use a pair of dissecting needles like these:

http://www.carolina.com/dissecting-...id=D+ZG0nOhG1AnGy9x1L9ko6px.worker5?question=

Had 'em since frog sticking days in college biology...

 

[kinmike]

Check out Caig De-Oxit Vacuum tube survival kit on Amazon. Damn if I can't figure out how to add the link.

How do you do that? It allows media embed for "Amazon Product" but won't accept it my url.

 

[Pete Cage]

Has Deoxit changed their formulation? It doesn't seem to work as well as it once did.

I still have a partial bottle of Cramolin (from Caig Labs in the late '70s) and it smells nothing at all like the new stuff, so I expect a lot has changed. I save that stash for the tough jobs. FWIW, D100 is more effective than D5 on the stubborn stuff, as you might expect. But I have the best success from cleaning with a solvent (usually Gum Cutter) before using any kind of deoxidizer. It gets the crud/dirt/wax off first, rather than just smearing it around. Clean the pins, too; sometimes they are pretty cruddy...

 

[Blue Strat]

I've not had great luck with D100 either. I'm going to move to a generic metal cleaner.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Has Deoxit changed their formulation? It doesn't seem to work as well as it once did.

I still have a partial bottle of Cramolin (from Caig Labs in the late '70s) and it smells nothing at all like the new stuff, so I expect a lot has changed. I save that stash for the tough jobs. FWIW, D100 is more effective than D5 on the stubborn stuff, as you might expect. But I have the best success from cleaning with a solvent (usually Gum Cutter) before using any kind of deoxidizer. It gets the crud/dirt/wax off first, rather than just smearing it around. Clean the pins, too; sometimes they are pretty cruddy...

FWIW, the current Deoxit D100 is listed as being "non-hazardous" - with 0% VOC. That exempts it from dangerous goods air or maritime shipping restrictions, so it is easy for OP guitarpedaladdict to get it in Hawaii.

The older Deoxit formulation, and Cramolin that Pete mentioned, consisted of 84% organic solvent, had 30% VOC content, contained n-Hexane as well as isopropanol. That flammable liquid is considerably more restricted for air and sea shipment, not to mention the high VOC content being discouraged these days. If you want a better cleaner, look to a hexane-isopropanol formulation. Caig seems to no longer carry such a product.

- Thom

 

[guitarpedaladdict]

FWIW, the current Deoxit D100 is listed as being "non-hazardous" - with 0% VOC. That exempts it from dangerous goods air or maritime shipping restrictions, so it is easy for OP guitarpedaladdict to get it in Hawaii.

The older Deoxit formulation, and Cramolin that Pete mentioned, consisted of 84% organic solvent, had 30% VOC content, contained n-Hexane as well as isopropanol. That flammable liquid is considerably more restricted for air and sea shipment, not to mention the high VOC content being discouraged these days. If you want a better cleaner, look to a hexane-isopropanol formulation. Caig seems to no longer carry such a product.

- Thom

Thom, I do appreciate your uncanny ability to remove ambiguity from these kinds of discussions... thank you.

 

[Blue Strat]

FWIW, the current Deoxit D100 is listed as being "non-hazardous" - with 0% VOC. That exempts it from dangerous goods air or maritime shipping restrictions, so it is easy for OP guitarpedaladdict to get it in Hawaii.

The older Deoxit formulation, and Cramolin that Pete mentioned, consisted of 84% organic solvent, had 30% VOC content, contained n-Hexane as well as isopropanol. That flammable liquid is considerably more restricted for air and sea shipment, not to mention the high VOC content being discouraged these days. If you want a better cleaner, look to a hexane-isopropanol formulation. Caig seems to no longer carry such a product.

- Thom

I suspected a lower solvent content by the scent.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

I suspected a lower solvent content by the scent.

Inhaling solvents isn't the recommended way to confirm their composition But it happens, I understand

- Thom