[TenTec] PTO?

[Bahr, Casey]

How onerous is a PTO build with one of TT's kits? I have a
C21 that looks like it needs a re-build. Any special, hard-to-get
tools I might need (I have a pretty good stock of small wrenches
and screwdrivers)?

73,

Casey Bahr, KS7J, FISTS #3648
Trustee, FISTS Northwest, K7FFF, FISTS #4400
http://www.imagina.com/webpages/casey/k7fff
Vista Valley FISTS CW Club, K6FFF, FISTS #4444
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/k6ffffists


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	W9SN [SMTP:nw9g@netusa1.net]
> Sent:	Tuesday, May 26, 1998 9:03 PM
> To:	rohre
> Cc:	John/K4WJ; tentec list
> Subject:	Re: [TenTec] PTO?
> 
> rohre wrote:
> > 
> > John,
> > I think the grease performance might be influenced by such factors as
> ambient
> > humidity, temperature, dust in the shack, as well as age and use.
> > 
> > What happens in the grease failures, is that the grease dries out.  That
> is,
> > the volatile solvent like components evaporate, and the remainder
> becomes the
> > gunk that traps any dirt or dust and that leads to the symptoms well
> known to
> > the Ten Tec PTO long time users.
> > 
> > Certainly heat drives off the lighter compounds, but very dry shack
> conditions
> > might contribute as well.  I notice you are from FL, where the humidity
> might
> > be higher than other areas, lessening evaporation of volatile solvents.
> But,
> > that might also depend on whether you keep your shack air conditioned at
> a
> > very cool, and thus dry, temperature.
> > 
> > Perhaps, the grease that was used in your particular unit had a higher
> > percentage of volatile components that liquify the material.  Thus, it
> has
> > been slower to lose its new grease qualities.  Maybe the lack of use has
> > caused a film of hardened material that kept the inner grease from
> evaporating
> > the volatiles, yet it breaks free when you use it without symptoms of
> drying.
> > 
> > The choice of lubricants is a fascinating study.  I have worked with
> large,
> > multitracked tape recorders for years, and the grease issue makes a big
> > difference in the performance of older design recorders as to speed
> flutter.
> > What you see in the PTO symptoms described by long time Ten Tec owners,
> is a
> > very slow speed flutter effect caused by the hardened grease in the PTO
> drive.
> > 
> > On large recorders, we have had good luck on regreasing open ball
> bearing
> > races with silicone ball bearing grease which is good for a wide
> latitude in
> > temperature.  I wonder if any PTO rebuilders have tried to use such
> greases?
> > 
> > I gather the kits from Ten Tec have a non silicone grease, in that the
> > greasing needs to be redone periodically.  The high temperature silicone
> > greases last indefinitely, but of course might affect some materials
> like
> > plastics.  Thus, I cannot say it would be better for this application.
> > 
> > Good continued luck with your PTO,
> > Stuart K5KVH
> > 
> > --
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> -- 
> 
> 
> I agree completely.  I'm not a grease engineer but I can say by looking
> into many older ten tec rigs I can tell how much use they have seen.
> It's like looking at the odometer.  Too bad you can't see this at the 
> hamfest!!  The orginal pto were made primarily of brass.  This made the
> them wear down quickly.  Looking at the grease, you can see the
> discoloration from the brass particals mixed in.  The main brass race
> will have a track wore around it where the ball bearings cut that
> groove.
> The newer pto kits now come with a steel race and will not wear as fast
> and make particals that get mixed into the grease.  I have no comment
> on the other factors like humidity since I know so little but my own
> experience.  But after having 20 plus pto run through this shack I can
> say I have looked at quite a few.  When ever I pick up a rig at a fest
> that has a pto, I just call ten tec and order that kit immediately.
> All those rigs have got some age on them by now and usually need it
> done.
> I've seen alot of guys sell those rigs thinking there was a major 
> problem when all they needed was a pto rebuild.  Good luck all....
> and keep ten tec'n.....
> 
>                       ------------------------------------------
>                                 Steve Narducci                 
>                         Amateur Radio Station -  W9SN
>                           All Ten Tec Equiptment         
>                           Toys for "Real" CW Men     
>                       ------------------------------------------
> 
> --
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