[Heathkit] Stuck slugs in SB-101

[Donald Spoon]

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago and made a similar plea.  
Nothing seems to work 100%.  In my experience if the slugs are stuck, 
chances are they are already cracked...  I tried several methods of 
working with cracked slugs... nothing worked well.  I eventually adopted 
the approach of breaking up the old slug, cleaning the tube and applying 
some lube (below), then putting a new one in.

I would NOT bring a metal allen wrench anywhere near the slugs! 
Something about these two don't mix.  If they are NOT cracked before 
they will be cracked as soon as they "see" each other!  (Maybe a little 
exaggeration here...I wasn't very lucky)

One suggested method was to "super-glue" a small wooden object like a 
toothpick or one of those bamboo skewers to the top of the slug and use 
it to screw it out.  I tried this and it almost worked.  If I were not 
such a klutz, I might have done it.  In any case this is only to be used 
on already cracked slugs for a "clean" removal..  You have to be VERY 
careful not to get too much super-glue on the top of the slug and glue 
it to the coil form!  EAsy to do!!

The slugs may be easier to find than you expect.  I managed to get a 
whole fist-full from Surplus Sales of Nebraska.  They had some of 
various diameters.  If you have access to old TVs you might find some 
usable slugs in their coils.

Lubricants:   DON'T use WD-40.  All it did for me was soak into the 
paper coil forms and make things worse.  I found the best one for me was 
a Teflon/Sicone Spray I got from an automotive shop.   It comes in an 
Orange Can...

Search the internet.... many "interesting' suggestions there...

Cheers and Good Luck!
-Don Spoon-
K0APK

On 4/24/2012 8:38 PM, jack m wrote:
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> I've just started to go through my SB-101, and noticed several of the het osc and other small coils' slugs are stuck in the coil forms and will not move using the correct Heathkit plastic alignment tool.  Also, the larger slug in T102 is stuck.  I know these can crack easily.  Does anyone have experience with freeing these?  Would a heat gun work?  What about placing a metal allen wrench in the slug - not to turn the slug, but to conduct heat to the slug to avoid heating the form?  Any Hints or Kinks anyone can share?  I'd sure hate to search for those little devils on the market! Thanks Jack 		 	   		
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