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Cleaning flashbulb bases

 
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alecj



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 853
Location: Alabama

PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:33 pm    Post subject: Cleaning flashbulb bases Reply with quote

I was lucky to find a large stash of #11 bulbs. However, a number of them have some mild corrosion on the base. Has anybody had experience cleaning those bases? I'm especially interested in avoiding setting one of those suckers off while handling!
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tsgrimm



Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 158
Location: SE Michigan

PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/109785-REG/Kaiser_206323_Battery_Contact_Cleaner.html

How about one of these. Like a mechanical lead pencil with strands of fiberglass instead of lead. Not cheap, but they have other uses.
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alecj



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 853
Location: Alabama

PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks. I was thinking of something like that, or a rubber eraser. I just don't know how to avoid static electricity handling these bulbs. The crud is not bad and should wipe off.
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tsgrimm



Joined: 04 Apr 2004
Posts: 158
Location: SE Michigan

PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess that you could just ground yourself to a COLD water pipe with a wrist strap like the computer repair shops sell. Easily made from some old unused wire laying around and a Bulldog or Alligator clip.

Last edited by tsgrimm on Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Les



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 2682
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Radio shack sells the same type of fiberglass pencil, without the brass collar for about 1/5 the price.

If the corrosion were bad and / or the upcomming shot valuable, i'd usea worn out scotchbrite pad normally found next to the SOS/ Brillo / Chore Boy scouring pads in your grocer.

The worn versions are more flexible and can get into the grooves.

Use it damp to cut down on the static "POOOF"
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alecj



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 853
Location: Alabama

PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, Les. That's what I will do. I like the idea of the wet application of the pads.
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graphicdave



Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 67
Location: Maryland

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had a #3 go off in my hand while pressing it into a Graflite (I learned to not accidently press the red button on the Graflite while inserting the bulb!). It's a nasty experience. To be on the safe side while cleaning, wear a leather glove on the hand that holds the bulb. The likelihood of one going off while cleaning is remote but better safe than burnt!
Dave
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Discoman



Joined: 28 Oct 2009
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

graphicdave wrote:
I had a #3 go off in my hand while pressing it into a Graflite (I learned to not accidently press the red button on the Graflite while inserting the bulb!). It's a nasty experience. To be on the safe side while cleaning, wear a leather glove on the hand that holds the bulb. The likelihood of one going off while cleaning is remote but better safe than burnt!
Dave

wow that sucks
i blew one up when i was insterting it-slightly melted to my hand
i didn't notice that my solenoid cord was resting on the metal plate with the lock lever on it
i had removed it from the solenoid to prevent such a thing from happening


try steel wool to clean it
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Henry



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 1636
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

PostPosted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I posted this tip elsewhere in the board, some time ago. I've used a typewriter (remember those?) eraser, of which I still have a couple of different ones: a pencil-shaped one with a brush on the "eraser" end, and a wheel-shaped one, also with a brush attached. At the model railroad (here we go again!) hobby shop, they sell an eraser with an abrasive in it, specifically for the purpose of cleaning track; I've got a couple of those around here someplace, too. Disclaimer: I've never tried to clean flashbulb contacts with any of these, but they do work great on battery contacts.
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