How To Clean Vacuum Tube Pins

[@jayc6170]

I use Dremel wire brushes all the time for cleaning leaf switches and relay contacts. I don't recommend trying to save money on aftermarket variants from the usual suspects. The wires break off much too easily and even with eye protection, getting hit it the face with a flinging wire is no fun. With Dremel brand brushes, brass is always brass colored on the brush. They make two strengths above brass also, carbon and stainless steel. Stainless will always have a copper shaft so it's easy to tell apart from carbon steel. The Dremel brush used in this video is part #536-02. I would also recommend looking at #537-02, 443-02 and 532-02. I find the smaller size a quite useful and these are inexpensive enough that having some options on hand can come in handy.

[@hestheMaster]

I like using a brass wire brush to clean pins and I own a very hard to find set of dedicated tube pin socket brushes. That I will soak in electrical contact cleaner and you would be surprised how dirty the holes for the pins are! This is done by hand of course and done lightly.Good tip Mark!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Thanks Mark, I've been using a Proxabrush for cleaning sockets with DeoxIT drops (from the jar not the spray). I bet a Proxabrush would also work on the pins as well.

[@buildstoys]

Thanks Mark, a topic I have wondered about too.

[@TheStuffMade]

That's a good tip, thanks. I've been using a fiberglass pen in the past with alcohol or contact cleaner, it works fine, but using a Dremel with a soft brass brush should be a lot faster.

[@peterk8978]

First, thank you for this no-nonsense, informative channel. Second, what is this wonderful blue mat I see in the background?

[@jimnewman5596]

Thank you Mark for the Great tip.

[@zulumax1]

Great video! Could you tell me your techniques for cleaning and retensioning tube sockets? I have my methods which work for me, I always enjoy seeing a different way of doing something. For example using an old typewriter pencil type eraser for cleaning wafer switches.

[@timka880057]

I've bought mine at Harbor Freight; a little speed drill kit with accessories.

[@rciancia]

Great Tip Mark , thank you

[@zulumax1]

I have used the Pink Pearl pencil eraser on pins before, then coated them in deoxit D5 on a cotton bud. Your method would be more productive with many tubes in large batches. With any method be careful not to take off the base metal of tin or nickel. Stay away from Scotchbrite! too aggressive, made that mistake. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks.

[@bobbyohanesian4228]

Thank you so much, obrigado, merci, Gracias

[@garthhowe297]

Great tip, thank you.

[@indridcold4210]

10 min. in some vinegar with a dash of table salt, rinse well with tap water for a min. and then 10 min in cleaning ammonia with a soak in some warm water and a final polish with paper from a brown paper grocery bag.

[@radiotvrepair1059]

Thanks mark

[@KameraShy]

I have always had bad luck with the Dremel brand tool. Reliability and other issues. Other rotary tools are out there are better and less expensive. A number of years ago I purchased a Wen and have liked it. I see Amazon has a whole kit with flex shaft for $20.79 - WEN 2305

[@johnsweda2999]

I would say don't use any abrasive on silver pins! there's no need to! and it has to be shiny just dip them in Silver dip or the silver stuff on the cloth wipe it over that comes in the tin then wash off with isopropenyl. if you want to prevent your pins from tarnishing and give a better connection use a conductive polymer, has the same resistance as copper prevent any tarnishing give you a better connections should use it on all your audio connection plug and sockets.

[@adam614ce]

Cool!

[@oscarvalencia9485]

clean them with water then with wire brush

[@mojostrat58]

Sand Paper works OK but is a little more time consuming...

[@hadireg]

👍👍🙏

[@vladnickul]

I put tubes in a plate with some vineger. for a day then rinse them in water :) or spary them with contact cleaner. No noise no chanse to chance some pin pin and brake it

[@humbuccaneer84]

Pencil eraser... polish