[CW] Key Contact Cleaning

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

I've used those before, but when I lose them which happens more often than
I would like to admit especially when I was doing field service, I upgraded
to using fine emery cloth 220 to 320 grit cloth will give a good polish on
your contacts and remove oxides.

What I do is buy a sheet of fine crocus cloth (crocus cloth is made from
iron oxide metal particles with a cloth backing).

I fold it in half to mark it, then I take some rubber cement and apply it
to the non-abrasive back sides, then I fold them so the backs stick
together, and I place a few heavy books on them, and let it dry overnight.

Then I cut them into approximately 3/16 inch strips by three inches long. I
have filled a 3 inch by 2 inch plastic storage box full of them - a
lifetime supply.

But the fiberglass pen works much better but you have to be able to have an
unobstructed access to the contact - so I just take apart the key.

I find the fine crocus cloth works better than the burnishing tool.

73
DR



On Thu, May 12, 2022 at 3:14 PM <sbjohnston at aol.com> wrote:

>
> I like these Jonard burnishing tools for relay contacts and telegraph key
> contacts:
>
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Jonard-OB-1-Burnisher-Insulated-Thickness/dp/B006C47JOI/
>
> Close the contact on the blade of the tool and pull out. I follow-up with
> a little Deoxit D5 rubbed on from a piece of paper.
>
>
> Steve WD8DAS
>
> sbjohnston at aol.com
> http://www.wd8das.net/
> http://af4k-crystals.com
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