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One idea for cleaning wafer switches, using Scotch Brite
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keithostertag
I realize some of you will say this is not so good an idea, but with the proper care I have found it useful. Of course you need to make good judgment as to which switches this method will not harm. I feel wafer switches benefit from very gentle abrasion.
Dirty switches drive me crazy, yet they are difficult to clean. Please let me know if you have a better method. I always start with a toothbrush, but generally there's not enough room to get it into the needed places. You can buy Scotch Brite pads in various grits. I use old ones with large grit that are worn quite a bit and have been washed several times in use. I cut them into narrow strips, then fold the strip over the end of a formed wood popsicle stick or plastic adjustment tool. (Toothpicks won't work well since they simply punch through the material.) Then holding the strip in place with my fingers I dip it into IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) and gently rub over any flat surface of the wafer switch contacts that I can see and reach. I only use this on the flat areas, not the spring contacts, and rotate the switch to access all the flat areas. If I suspect a spring contact needs cleaning, in addition I will soak a small piece of paper in IPA and slide it between the spring jaws. One does need to watch for bits of Scotch Brite threads that have come loose, and of course one has to be very careful not to bend any of the contacts or accidentally break any delicate parts. Also be careful to mark the orientation of parts that you will move. Note: I generally if possible remove the switch assembly from the DUT/plugin. After the IPA dries, follow with Deoxit or similar. Here are a links to a few photos showing how I do it: Of course, if you can remove a wafer in order to clean it that's even better: Tedious, but rewarding :-) This weekend I spent several hours saving a Type M plugin by cleaning all the wafer switches. Keith Ostertag |
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back in the old days of rotating tv tuners we used to purchase a small metal abt 3/16x1.5 inches abrasive contact cleaning strip about a s thick as a matchbook paper striking piece which also worked for cleaning wafers can still get paper matches but don't no about the other ? Jerry KJ6NTL From: keithostertag
<keitho@...>
To: TekScopes@... Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 2:42 PM Subject: [TekScopes] One idea for cleaning wafer switches, using Scotch Brite
?
I realize some of you will say this is not so good an idea, but with the proper care I have found it useful. Of course you need to make good judgment as to which switches this method will not harm. I feel wafer switches benefit from very gentle abrasion.
Dirty switches drive me crazy, yet they are difficult to clean. Please let me know if you have a better method. I always start with a toothbrush, but generally there's not enough room to get it into the needed places. You can buy Scotch Brite pads in various grits. I use old ones with large grit that are worn quite a bit and have been washed several times in use. I cut them into narrow strips, then fold the strip over the end of a formed wood popsicle stick or plastic adjustment tool. (Toothpicks won't work well since they simply punch through the material.) Then holding the strip in place with my fingers I dip it into IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) and gently rub over any flat surface of the wafer switch contacts that I can see and reach. I only use this on the flat areas, not the spring contacts, and rotate the switch to access all the flat areas. If I suspect a spring contact needs cleaning, in addition I will soak a small piece of paper in IPA and slide it between the spring jaws. One does need to watch for bits of Scotch Brite threads that have come loose, and of course one has to be very careful not to bend any of the contacts or accidentally break any delicate parts. Also be careful to mark the orientation of parts that you will move. Note: I generally if possible remove the switch assembly from the DUT/plugin. After the IPA dries, follow with Deoxit or similar. Here are a links to a few photos showing how I do it: Of course, if you can remove a wafer in order to clean it that's even better: Tedious, but rewarding :-) This weekend I spent several hours saving a Type M plugin by cleaning all the wafer switches. Keith Ostertag |
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hey thanks? didn't think they were still around / mousers search thing drives me up the proverbial wall/ but do some business because they have good stock of things/ those wud be great for cleaning the contacts etc ? Jerry KJ6NTL From: Mike Czuhajewski
To: TekScopes@... Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 3:49 PM Subject: Re: [TekScopes] One idea for cleaning wafer switches, using Scotch Brite
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>...back in the old days of rotating tv tuners we used to purchase a
>small metal abt 3/16x1.5 inches abrasive contact cleaning strip.... I remember those well from my USAF days, a very long time ago. Mouser carries them, made by OK Industries. Search on "burnisher". |
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keithostertag
Hey thanks Mike, I never would have thought of using "burnisher" as a search term for these! I'll give them a try sometime.
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Until then, I believe my homemade tool has several advantages: Far less likely to cause accidental damage. Being essentially a deep soft pad, it can reach places the burnisher can't (the other side of raised sections/protuberance). It is always immediately available. Some company probably makes a similar tool that uses a soft pad, but I haven't yet found it... Keith --- In TekScopes@..., "Mike Czuhajewski" <wa8mcq@...> wrote:
...back in the old days of rotating tv tuners we used to purchase aI remember those well from my USAF days, a very long time ago. Mouser |
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they do have a good size group of burnishers but ure is definitely cheaper /tho the set is 36.00/but the holder is quality and the size of a pen/and the burnishers are diff sizes shapes etc. and are flexible ? Jerry KJ6NTL From: keithostertag To: TekScopes@... Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 3:41 AM Subject: [TekScopes] Re: One idea for cleaning wafer switches, using Scotch Brite
?
Hey thanks Mike, I never would have thought of using "burnisher" as a search term for these! I'll give them a try sometime.
Until then, I believe my homemade tool has several advantages: Far less likely to cause accidental damage. Being essentially a deep soft pad, it can reach places the burnisher can't (the other side of raised sections/protuberance). It is always immediately available. Some company probably makes a similar tool that uses a soft pad, but I haven't yet found it... Keith --- In mailto:TekScopes%40yahoogroups.com, "Mike Czuhajewski" wrote: > > >...back in the old days of rotating tv tuners we used to purchase a > >small metal abt 3/16x1.5 inches abrasive contact cleaning strip.... > > I remember those well from my USAF days, a very long time ago. Mouser > carries them, made by OK Industries. Search on "burnisher". > |
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Don & Karen Patterson
I have used this GC burnisher for relays in the past. ?It might work for switches as well. ?Amazon's price looks high compared to other listings YAHOO found. ?I used this one for illustration because it worked best to cut and paste.
GC Electronics Fine Grade Burnishing Tool Excellent For Removing Oxidation 3 Inch Longby?
Take care, Don Patterson On Jun 30, 2013, at 9:53 AM, Jerry Barr wrote:
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I like that idea/ gud one ? Jerry KJ6NTL From: HankC
To: "TekScopes@..." Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 1:48 PM Subject: [TekScopes] Re: One idea for cleaning wafer switches, using Scotch Brite
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You could cut the matchbook striker into a narrow strip & insert it into an X-acto knife handle in place of the blade.
? HankC, Boston |
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For something softer than scotchbrite, try some coarse wool, or one of those cucumber "skeletons" used for exfoliation. D.
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So THAT is what it's for!
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On Mon, Jul 1, 2013 at 3:24 PM, Steve Vineyard <willltinker@...> wrote:
I use old business cards. Spray a little contact cleaner on the edge |
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