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[AMPS] Cleaning aluminum variable capacitors

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] Cleaning aluminum variable capacitors
From: n0tt1@juno.com (n0tt1@juno.com)
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 05:00:04 -0700
Greetings gents!

Many thanks to those who commented about cleaning variable
capacitor plates.

Upon closer inspection, the plates are pitted...looks
like a moonscape up close.  So per the many suggestions, 
I will first mechanically remove the edges of the "craters", 
probably with a very fine sandpaper with and oil or water, 
then polish all the plates with some of the "blue stuff" cleaner
using a low speed "cotton wheel"....and avoid creating any
sharp edges on the plates in the process.  (BTW, if one were
to try this too, wear a face mask to filter out the cotton
fibers.)

One very interesting bit of info was received on how USA
manufacturers polish the plates and round the edges by using
a mixture of walnut shells in a tumbler.  Now if a guy had a 
jeweller's "rock tumbler" and the right polishing compound (like
some crushed walnut shells) that would be interesting to try!

Gees, we hams do a lot of work just to "save" a few bucks!  hi hi

73,
Charlie, N0TT



On Sun, 21 Oct 2001 04:21:39 -0700 n0tt1@juno.com writes:
> 
> Greeting gents,
> 
> I bought a large variable capacitor for at a hamfest recently and
> the plates are somewhat corroded....something I knew about
> before I bought it for practically nothing.  I have taken
> the unit apart, individual plates and all.  
> 
> What's the best way to clean the corrosion off the plates?
> 
> 73,
> Charlie, N0TT

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