Tube Socket help, I'm looking at a few, but not sure which material to buy?

[wrenchone]

Very interesting, I just dug up some information off Belton's web site. The socket material they use for their sockets is not really micalex, but glass-filled polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). This is used in some electronis applications where parts need to withstand high temperatures. There some capacitors that employ a PPS dielectric.
The old material of choice was a mica-filed phenolic called Micanol. The name Micalex has also been used for this material, though that trade name is now used by a Japanese company that manufactures machinable ceramics made out of a mica/glass composite.

[richwalters]

Okay, I get alot of correspondance on this: pic shows industry standard phenol brown fork type been around for a very long time and fork made from hardened brass and reliable although limited on heater current. The White chinese ceramic has a socket type contact; and this one has to be careful not to overheat with solder as this will (as another mail mentioned) run capillary into the contact and freeze the tension. This accounts for alot of intermittant faults.
So this type do not overheat and not recommended in chassis where tubes are repeatedly swapped.

richy

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Pioneer621

ChrisA, Yes that is one of my concerns; holding the tube in snuggly as they hang upside down in these Fender amps & need contacts that will grip the pins like you say.

Well, it seems a few people seem happy with the Belton Micalex sockets, so I am leaning towards them. They look like decent sockets as long as they do hold the tube in tightly.

The Fender amps I've seen have clamps with teeth that hold the base of the tube in place. They also sell the spring kind that fit over the top of the tube. The base clamps are about $2 each if you don't already have them. They are a pain to use because they work so well you almost need three hands to change tubes.

Don't worry so much about "new old stock" Yes those parts or from the "golden age" but they made a lot of junk back then. Not all of it was great.

[Pioneer621]

Well, I am still looking at sockets. I have browsed some of the old stock on ebay as well as looked into the Belton sockets. Not sure which ones to get, the Belton sockets look sufficient for this little amp, so I think I am going to just go with them, as long as the contacts are decent & seem to make a solid connection they should be fine.

I could always get some clamps as ChrisA suggested, so there should not be a problem. The owner of the amp said it was no big hurry, but I will likely make a decision here soon as I do want to get this amp fully functional again.

I will post back with what I end up going with & how they work out!

I thank you all so much for taking the time to help me with this & for all of the excellent info! The pictures of what the different pins look like is great too, thank you!

[Pioneer621]

Hello!

Just thought I would post back with the outcome.

I went ahead & ordered the Belton sockets from the Tube Depot website, there shipping was extremely fast, & got exactly what I ordered.

I installed the Belton sockets, then put the tubes in, they actually hold the tube in very well, at least equal or better then the original sockets, so I think they should be fine. I tested the amp for about 40 minutes, maybe a little longer & all was well & it sounded fine.

I just want to say thanks again for all the help on my tube socket decision. I think I made the right choice with these, especially for the price. Thank you again everybody! Take care. Pioneer621