sometimes things work out okay...

  • Thread starter William Sommerwerck
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William Sommerwerck

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Take a look at this tuner..

http://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/5t50.html

I bought one of these (and the associated Lux LRS amplification) over 30
years ago. Some months back I pulled it out and set it up in my bedroom to
drive a pair of Mission speakers.

This equipment had been sitting unused for almost 20 years, and it had (and
still has) quirks that need fixing. Most of them are related to dirty
switches and controls.

One of the worst problems was the Tuning buttons on the 5T50. As with many
dirty or aging switches, a single press caused multiple closures. Tuning was
extremely clumsy, as the frequency would jump multiple channels with a
single press.

"Look! Up in the sky!"

So I pulled the lid off to clean the switches. Uh-oh. They were sealed and
there was no obvious, simple way to remove or open them. What to do? Working
on the principle of "try anything", I pulled off the buttons. This isn't
difficult -- they snap into place -- but there's this huge, weak spring that
provides the restoring force. You don't want to lose it.

I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.

Bingo. The switches now work correctly.

Sometimes things work out just fine.

--
"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land
 
On Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:54:48 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net>wrote:

Take a look at this tuner..

http://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/5t50.html

I bought one of these (and the associated Lux LRS amplification) over 30
years ago. Some months back I pulled it out and set it up in my bedroom to
drive a pair of Mission speakers.

This equipment had been sitting unused for almost 20 years, and it had (and
still has) quirks that need fixing. Most of them are related to dirty
switches and controls.

One of the worst problems was the Tuning buttons on the 5T50. As with many
dirty or aging switches, a single press caused multiple closures. Tuning was
extremely clumsy, as the frequency would jump multiple channels with a
single press.

"Look! Up in the sky!"

So I pulled the lid off to clean the switches. Uh-oh. They were sealed and
there was no obvious, simple way to remove or open them. What to do? Working
on the principle of "try anything", I pulled off the buttons. This isn't
difficult -- they snap into place -- but there's this huge, weak spring that
provides the restoring force. You don't want to lose it.

I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.

Bingo. The switches now work correctly.

Sometimes things work out just fine.
Click to expand...
I have a Sherwood tuner and amp that were retired about 20 years ago.
Recently got them both out and dusted them off to sell them to a
friend. Ran into just about the same thing. You can usually always
find a way to get cleaner inside button switches unless in the rare
case they are hermetically sealed and in that case shouldn't ever need
cleaned.
 
I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch
contacts. So I squirted some cleaner into the switches.

What brand of cleaner?
Click to expand...
Clorox Toilet Bowl.

No, seriously... M G Chemical's Super Wash.

When you buy toilet bowl cleaner, look at the list of ingredients for
hydrochloric acid (or some strong acid). Cleaners without it don't do a very
good job. I kike Sno-bol.
 
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hcimb3$lbr$1@news.eternal-september.org...
Take a look at this tuner..

http://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/5t50.html

I bought one of these (and the associated Lux LRS amplification) over 30
years ago. Some months back I pulled it out and set it up in my bedroom to
drive a pair of Mission speakers.

This equipment had been sitting unused for almost 20 years, and it had
(and
still has) quirks that need fixing. Most of them are related to dirty
switches and controls.

One of the worst problems was the Tuning buttons on the 5T50. As with many
dirty or aging switches, a single press caused multiple closures. Tuning
was
extremely clumsy, as the frequency would jump multiple channels with a
single press.

"Look! Up in the sky!"

So I pulled the lid off to clean the switches. Uh-oh. They were sealed and
there was no obvious, simple way to remove or open them. What to do?
Working
on the principle of "try anything", I pulled off the buttons. This isn't
difficult -- they snap into place -- but there's this huge, weak spring
that
provides the restoring force. You don't want to lose it.

I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.

Bingo. The switches now work correctly.

Sometimes things work out just fine.

--
"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land
Click to expand...
The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as you
have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner / lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch body,
and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa
 
On Oct 31, 4:54 pm, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net>
wrote:
....snip...
I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.
Click to expand...
what brand of cleaner?
 
On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:26:01 -0000, "Arfa Daily"
<arfa.daily@ntlworld.com>wrote:

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hcimb3$lbr$1@news.eternal-september.org...
Take a look at this tuner..

http://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/5t50.html

I bought one of these (and the associated Lux LRS amplification) over 30
years ago. Some months back I pulled it out and set it up in my bedroom to
drive a pair of Mission speakers.

This equipment had been sitting unused for almost 20 years, and it had
(and
still has) quirks that need fixing. Most of them are related to dirty
switches and controls.

One of the worst problems was the Tuning buttons on the 5T50. As with many
dirty or aging switches, a single press caused multiple closures. Tuning
was
extremely clumsy, as the frequency would jump multiple channels with a
single press.

"Look! Up in the sky!"

So I pulled the lid off to clean the switches. Uh-oh. They were sealed and
there was no obvious, simple way to remove or open them. What to do?
Working
on the principle of "try anything", I pulled off the buttons. This isn't
difficult -- they snap into place -- but there's this huge, weak spring
that
provides the restoring force. You don't want to lose it.

I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.

Bingo. The switches now work correctly.

Sometimes things work out just fine.

--
"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land



The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as you
have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner / lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch body,
and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa
Click to expand...
I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.
 
The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often,
as you have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch
cleaner / lubricant seems to have good creep and penetration
characteristics, and a good squirt up the shaft gap, will, in most
cases, find its way into the switch body, and do a decent job
of restoring contact.
Click to expand...
These were not that type switch (they're pushbuttons), but I appreciate the
insight.
 
I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.
Click to expand...
Where do you find these?

I assume they're "custom" and won't work as well on a smaller shaft.
 
Thanks. The last cleaner I used forgot to mention some type
of acetone-like product in there that played havoc with some
of the new plastics.
Click to expand...
It's amazing such products are still made. I look for a "safe on plastics"
claim, as well as a list of things the cleaner is (supposedly) good for
cleaning.
 
On Nov 1, 8:24 am, "William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net>
wrote:
I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch
contacts. So I squirted some cleaner into the switches.
What brand of cleaner?

Clorox Toilet Bowl.

No, seriously... M G Chemical's Super Wash.

When you buy toilet bowl cleaner, look at the list of ingredients for
hydrochloric acid (or some strong acid). Cleaners without it don't do a very
good job. I kike Sno-bol.
Click to expand...
Thanks. The last cleaner I used forgot to mention some type of
acetone like product in there that played havoc with some of the new
plastics. Needless to say wasn't just angry at the clowding, but with
the softening/melting.
 
The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as you
have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner /
lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good
squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch body,
and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa


I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.
Click to expand...
That's interesting and very useful sounding. Where'd you get it ? Any ref
with a piccy ?

Arfa
 
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hcki7t$tld$1@news.eternal-september.org...
The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often,
as you have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch
cleaner / lubricant seems to have good creep and penetration
characteristics, and a good squirt up the shaft gap, will, in most
cases, find its way into the switch body, and do a decent job
of restoring contact.

These were not that type switch (they're pushbuttons), but I appreciate
the
insight.
Click to expand...
The ones I was referring to are pushbuttons ...

Arfa
 
Meat Plow wrote:
On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:26:01 -0000, "Arfa Daily"
arfa.daily@ntlworld.com>wrote:

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hcimb3$lbr$1@news.eternal-september.org...
Take a look at this tuner..

http://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/5t50.html

I bought one of these (and the associated Lux LRS amplification) over 30
years ago. Some months back I pulled it out and set it up in my bedroom to
drive a pair of Mission speakers.

This equipment had been sitting unused for almost 20 years, and it had
(and
still has) quirks that need fixing. Most of them are related to dirty
switches and controls.

One of the worst problems was the Tuning buttons on the 5T50. As with many
dirty or aging switches, a single press caused multiple closures. Tuning
was
extremely clumsy, as the frequency would jump multiple channels with a
single press.

"Look! Up in the sky!"

So I pulled the lid off to clean the switches. Uh-oh. They were sealed and
there was no obvious, simple way to remove or open them. What to do?
Working
on the principle of "try anything", I pulled off the buttons. This isn't
difficult -- they snap into place -- but there's this huge, weak spring
that
provides the restoring force. You don't want to lose it.

I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.

Bingo. The switches now work correctly.

Sometimes things work out just fine.

--
"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land


The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as you
have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner / lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch body,
and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa


I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.
Click to expand...
Ooooo.....where did you get that rascal? I've an old Double Beat Wah
that I tried to clean using the shaft method but it never seemed to
work. The product you mentioned sounds interesting....thanks. :)
 
Arfa Daily wrote:

The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as
you have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner
/ lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good
squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch
body, and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa


I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the
pot and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of
time in some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.

That's interesting and very useful sounding. Where'd you get it ? Any
ref with a piccy ?

Arfa
Click to expand...
Grab a neoprene cable sleeve and cut the narrow end to suit !

--
Best Regards:
Baron.
 
On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 09:57:49 -0800, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net>wrote:

I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.

Where do you find these?

I assume they're "custom" and won't work as well on a smaller shaft.
Click to expand...
Most guitar supply places have them. I think we get them from WD music
although I was not the one who ordered them. And I'm fairly sure that
they make several sizes.
 
I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.

Where do you find these?
I assume they're "custom" and won't work as well on a smaller shaft.

Most guitar supply places have them. I think we get them from WD
music although I was not the one who ordered them. And I'm fairly
sure they make several sizes.
Click to expand...
There's a Guitar Center (or whatever it's called) down the road. I'll check
the next time I'm in the neighborhoods.
 
On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 22:48:10 -0000, "Arfa Daily"
<arfa.daily@ntlworld.com>wrote:

The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as you
have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner /
lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good
squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch body,
and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa


I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.

That's interesting and very useful sounding. Where'd you get it ? Any ref
with a piccy ?

Arfa

A quick google came up with this:
Click to expand...

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Oct/A_Pot_Cleaning_Miracle.aspx


Not sure where my brother in law got his but it may have come from
StewMac, WD Music, Guitar Center, Mighty Mite, or a hundred of
other vendors he meets at the national NAMM shows every year.
 
On Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:21:21 -0800, propman <propman@nowhere.ca>wrote:

Meat Plow wrote:
On Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:26:01 -0000, "Arfa Daily"
arfa.daily@ntlworld.com>wrote:

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hcimb3$lbr$1@news.eternal-september.org...
Take a look at this tuner..

http://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/5t50.html

I bought one of these (and the associated Lux LRS amplification) over 30
years ago. Some months back I pulled it out and set it up in my bedroom to
drive a pair of Mission speakers.

This equipment had been sitting unused for almost 20 years, and it had
(and
still has) quirks that need fixing. Most of them are related to dirty
switches and controls.

One of the worst problems was the Tuning buttons on the 5T50. As with many
dirty or aging switches, a single press caused multiple closures. Tuning
was
extremely clumsy, as the frequency would jump multiple channels with a
single press.

"Look! Up in the sky!"

So I pulled the lid off to clean the switches. Uh-oh. They were sealed and
there was no obvious, simple way to remove or open them. What to do?
Working
on the principle of "try anything", I pulled off the buttons. This isn't
difficult -- they snap into place -- but there's this huge, weak spring
that
provides the restoring force. You don't want to lose it.

I guessed that the button's shaft directly poked the switch contacts. So I
squirted some cleaner into the switches.

Bingo. The switches now work correctly.

Sometimes things work out just fine.

--
"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land


The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as you
have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner / lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch body,
and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa


I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the pot
and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of time in
some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.

Ooooo.....where did you get that rascal? I've an old Double Beat Wah
that I tried to clean using the shaft method but it never seemed to
work. The product you mentioned sounds interesting....thanks. :)
Click to expand...

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Oct/A_Pot_Cleaning_Miracle.aspx
 
On Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:26:30 +0000, Baron
<baron.nospam@linuxmaniac.nospam.net>wrote:

Arfa Daily wrote:



The 'way in' to sealed square shafted selector switches is often, as
you have discovered, the gap around the shaft. Decent switch cleaner
/ lubricant
seems to have good creep and penetration characteristics, and a good
squirt
up the shaft gap, will, in most cases, find its way into the switch
body, and do a decent job of restoring contact.

Arfa


I've been using an attachment for guitar pots that screws atop the
pot and allows the cleaner to squrt down the shaft. Saves a lot of
time in some cases and can be used on anything with a similar pot.

That's interesting and very useful sounding. Where'd you get it ? Any
ref with a piccy ?

Arfa

Grab a neoprene cable sleeve and cut the narrow end to suit !
Click to expand...
A person with relatively decent manual dexterity and household tools
could actually make one from aluminum or brass.
 
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Oct/A_Pot_Cleaning_Miracle.aspx
Click to expand...


Hmm... How does it remove the seeds and stems?
 
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