Bottlehead Forum
General Category => Tech Tools => Topic started by: Grainger49 on November 25, 2011, 03:54:15 AM
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I'm changing the name of this thread. As we see tools on sale for a reasonable price we can all put a post in here for the products. At the end of the thread I'm adding a light and soldering station. The old OP is below.
From Music Direct (no connection), on sale for Black Friday. This is like the kit I bought 20 years ago and have not used up yet! Normal Price $50, Sale Price $30.
Music Direct Vacuum Tube Survival Kit Sale (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-1158-caig-vacuum-tube-survival-kit.aspx?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%%xtlinkname%%&utm_name=musicdirect+soundbytes+black+friday+specials+11-25-11)
A link to the Caig page:
Caig Vacuum Tube Survival Kit page (http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2644/.f?sc=2&category=20)
The Signet Male/Female RCA Cleaning Tools at the bottom of the page are a good idea for all spray on cleaners. Buy several of these.
I'll modify the post but leave a few links since it is back after years of not being available.
YouTube link:
YouTube demonstration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9r_ZPHxuIQ)
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I'll 2nd you on the Craig kit Grainger, picked one up from Music Direct a few years ago. I like to use the foam swabs to clean PCBs. At this price I think I'll pick up another, thanks for the heads-up.
Cheers,
Shawn P.
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Not as good but not $50 either, Parts Express has it for $31.50:
Tube Socket Cleaning Kit At Parts Express (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=341-277&utm_source=Retail&utm_medium=Email_Newsletter&utm_content=341-277&utm_campaign=email040512)
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I have tried using my Dremel with a non-wire cup brush. It seems to clean the pins well, and after that, I use alcohol and a Q-TIP(I'm a cheep drunk). I haven't come up with a good way to clean out the sockets. Was considering a pipe cleaner or something.
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If you already have DeoxIT, or some other favorite cleaning solution, lab brushes work very well ....
http://www.amazonsupply.com/s?savedSearchKeyword=tube+brush&keywords=tube+brush&page=1&size=20&searchNodeID=256168011&ref_=sp_s_node_256168011&x=0&y=0 (http://www.amazonsupply.com/s?savedSearchKeyword=tube+brush&keywords=tube+brush&page=1&size=20&searchNodeID=256168011&ref_=sp_s_node_256168011&x=0&y=0)
Scroll down about mid page .......
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Ok, my post was completely lost.
Greg, what is a non-wire cup brush? Can you post a picture?
I posted the perfect, cheap (you know what a cheapskate I am), disposable brush for cleaning 9 pin tube sockets, probably good for some larger but not a 2A3/300B sockets in my FAQ thread in my corner. (worst run on sentence of my life)
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TA-DA!
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Greg,
Thanks, I got it. I might even have one or two of those. Paully has often said I have a lot of tools. He is right, I have enough that sometimes I forget I have them... Or maybe it is just age?
Who else do you know with an "Inch-Pound" torque wrench?
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I got an MCM catalog yesterday. This morning drinking my coffee I saw these two items. I have the light, I don't have the soldering station. The links will be dead after a while but that is going to happen with all the links in this thread.
To get these prices you will need the Source Code: B212AA and Customer Code: G36502
Tenma Soldering Station $39.99 Was $109 (http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-10115)
Magnefying Light $39.99 Was $49 (http://http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-10265)
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Grainger,
That soldering station is tempting indeed... I already have this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRC2XU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRC2XU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Am I correct that there is no practical reason to get the Tenma station other than wanting a shiny new toy?
Best regards,
Adam
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Adam, yes, I use an old, 1975 Weller. But for the price, you can maybe buy a Weller pen, not a soldering station.
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For someone who doesn't already have a soldering station, I agree that the Tenma would be a no-brainer. But seeing as how I already have the Weller (and a variety of tips), I figure there is no point in buying the Tenma as well. I was just looking to test that assumption (namely that there is nothing particularly useful that the Tenma can do that my current Weller cannot -- and a digital display, while nice, doesn't really change much in terms of functionality).
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I can't speak everyone, but I was amazed how much better my soldering became once I bought a solder station. I too, had a few pens, with a variety of tips. In my experience there is just no comparison.
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I agree. I was very, very happy when I got my Weller station.
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I learned to solder somewhere in the third grade. For many decades, I had either a Radio Shack 25-watt solder pencil/woodburning set, or my dad's old 250-watt soldering gun. About 10 years into this hobby, my lovely wife (acting on a suggestion from Doc B I believe) bought me a decent solder station for my birthday. I am still amazed at how much easier it is now!
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But, Paul, you became a much more careful solderer with the cheap soldering iron first.