[Boatanchors] Heathkit SB-200 Question - Seeking advice - WORKING

[whitebear1122 at comcast.net]

Wow thanks for all of the advice!  Some of it I'm using now and some of it will be used next time I encounter this problem.  This makes it two times in my 15 years of BA'ing that I've had this problem. 



Pretty much everyone said to avoid WD-40 and that there are better penetrating oil products out there.   Prior to emailing my dilemma last night I sprayed WD-40 into the detent mechanism, hoping it would run down into the panel bushing. It didn't resolve the issue last night but I let it set overnight.  Also sprayed some on the front hoping it would wick up from the bottom.  Lots of "hoping" going on there.  This morning I tried it and it didn't turn initially so I worked it with regular hand pressure,  and the mechanism started working albeit stiff.  I shot it down with more WD-40 and worked the switch.  It is smooth as can be now.  Next time I'll use penetrating oil right off the bat and skip the WD-40.  Which lead me to the next set of advice. 



Many folks emailed saying the WD-40 will leave a gummy mess behind that is going to collect grime and dust.  I had not anticipated this so this evening I will soak down the detent mechanism in alcohol, dry it out, then appy the next set of advice, penetrating oil. Stopped off at the Ace on the way home from errands and picked up a bottle of penetrating oil.  After I clean the WD-40 out of the bushing I'll apply it to the front shaft and let it wick up, then apply some into the detent mechanism to get some down into the barrel of the bushing, then finish off with lubing the detent balls with Lubriplate.   Most folks said the penetrating oil would likely do a better job of breaking the corrosion than WD-40.  Plus they said the penetrating oil is actually 'oil' rather than petroleum distillates and other mystery stuff. 



So next time I'll just use the pentrating oil right away.  I appreciate all the advice and the one offer of a new detent mechanism if mine was bad and wouldn't unstick.  Yes I'll be careful to get the wafers lined up properly. 



73, Scott WA9WFA