[ARC5] Removing plug retaining rings

[Michael Hanz]

Well, to be more precise, the ring isn't destroyed by a careful 
Channel-Lock type of approach - it simply has a few extra nicks in its 
periphery, and you *can* clean it up reasonably well with a Dremel and a 
spherical soft polishing ball.  It won't look like a new one, but it 
will perform the duties just as well until a new ring comes along...or 
the realization that it's cosmetic, seldom seen with the plug and cable 
mated to the connector, and doesn't affect the function of the set in 
any way.

I get it...hope springs eternal.  Some of us have tried the 
Kroil/synthetic oil/"you name it" lubricants with heat over the years 
and found them to perform the desired miracle with less success than 
hoped.  The reason seems to be in the nature of aluminum oxidation in a 
humid atmosphere like many basements or storage facilities.  Note the 
"High mechanical strength", "High chemical resistance" and "Very hard 
material structure" characteristics below.  Depending on the thickness 
of the oxide coating, your luck with anything but brute force will 
depend on the variables that formed the oxide (including time).  But by 
all means, please *do* repeat the experiments of those who have passed 
this way before.  We've all been there - it's all about fun, enjoying 
the sense of Victory...and occasionally something less than...  🙂

Good luck,
- Mike  KC4TOS

*Al_2 O_3 Aluminum Oxide**
**Special Properties *

  * High mechanical strength and wear resistance
  * Excellent thermal resistance
  * Outstanding insulation characteristics
  * Extreme dielectric strength
  * Exceptional tribological properties
  * Can be processed with conventional abrasive tools
  * Low dissipation factor
  * High chemical resistance
  * Good metallizability
  * Very hard material structure


On 8/18/2025 10:55 PM, hwhall at aol.com wrote:
> I'd not go to destroying the ring until I'd given something like Kroil & maybe some heat a chance to work on it.
>
> Wayne
> WB4OGM
>
> On Monday, August 18, 2025 at 08:34:09 PM MDT, Michael Hanz<aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org>  wrote:
>
> Steve has covered the subject very well.  The original tools that August Link sent me are shown athttps://aafradio.org/garajmahal/ARC-5_connector_ring.htm  - but their design suggests another way of approaching the problem.  Considering the threaded ring as dispensable given that Steve has those sizes, you'll need Channel Lock (or similar) pliers with a large internal circular radius like this:
>
> Protect the aluminum chassis in a circle around the nut with some thin tape and clamp the pliers around the retainer ring, then tap the "blue"side with a small dead blow hammer while holding the head of the pliers firmly against the chassis.  That will break loose the corrosion that Steve mentioned, and allow you to spin the now externally damaged nut off.  I used that approach numerous times before the ARC tools came along, and it seems to work well if you are not heavy handed.  Gentle taps will eventually break the corrosion bond.
>
> 73,
> Mike  KC4TOS
>
> On 8/18/2025 9:47 PM, Steve Williams wrote:
>    I think you're dealing with 75 year old aluminum corrosion.  Acetone won't fix that. I have dealt with the same thing with no luck so far. If you dont have a special pair of exact fit pliers, you're pretty much screwed, unless someone else has a better solution. I do have the knurled rings for sale on ebay, but you'll need to come up with a way cut the old ring off. Very carefull die grinder work to cut the ring only may work. I also have some of the more common recepticales listed. I may have an odd receptacle in the junk box as well. You may only have to weaken the ring in order to remove it. If I have the receptacle, then you can cut through both and replace both.
> Good luck.
>
> Ebay user ID, kb4dmf
> KC4WN, Steve
>
> On Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 8:24 PM Matt P<mgpaulonis at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>    
>> OK Gents,
>> I am absolutely stumped: what is the secret to removing the retainer rings on a plug on a FT-233-A single receiver rack? I am finally getting around to replacing J-24 and have soaked it with acetone to disolve the laquer that was applied to keep tge retainer ring in place, but still no joy in getting to even budge. Do I just need more acetone?
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Matt
>>
>> W2NS
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