In the 1960´s gold plated sockets for anything in audio (except for transmitting tubes and RF types, acorns) were a rarity. I can´t think of any audio equipment manufacturer in the UK or Europe would dare fit these expensive parts despite quite a few tubes in that era having gold plated pins. Costs and competition were the rigor then. The "birds nest" construction and life of the standard 405/625 TV set would horrify many of today´s crowd, not the place for gold components.
The 1950´s industry standard phenol McMurdo socket types were tin plated phosphor brass were by today´s standard quite hard for the tube pins to get in so contact was solid.
Gold pins wise, the possibility of dissimilar materials creating electrolysis in a moist environment is outside the scope of storage, which all recommend indoors and dry. More likely is traces of potassium cyanide or sim used part of the plating process, and not properly cleaned after.
Bench Baron
The 1950´s industry standard phenol McMurdo socket types were tin plated phosphor brass were by today´s standard quite hard for the tube pins to get in so contact was solid.
Gold pins wise, the possibility of dissimilar materials creating electrolysis in a moist environment is outside the scope of storage, which all recommend indoors and dry. More likely is traces of potassium cyanide or sim used part of the plating process, and not properly cleaned after.
Bench Baron
Just n idea, have not tried it yet.
How about taking n old socket, fill the holes with fine grinding paste, insert and remove the tube a couple of times, finally wipe off the pins and clean possible remains with a brush and spirit.
Should work, no?
How about taking n old socket, fill the holes with fine grinding paste, insert and remove the tube a couple of times, finally wipe off the pins and clean possible remains with a brush and spirit.
Should work, no?
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Materials being treated need to be considered for their composition. metal is not metal, and likely there are differences in pin material from one manufacturer to another. Even if it is the same metal being used as a parent material, plating or alloy content should be considered. Once that you have that part down, then you can better know how to properly clean it. Or you can just take everything to the car wash and hope for the best.