[Milsurplus] Re: [Boatanchors] Removing beeswax fromslug-tunedtransform...

[fkamp at comcast.net]

"J. Forster" wrote:
> 
> I considered solvents earlier on in this thread, but rejected it. Solvents work from the
> outside in and would take quite a while to soften any depth of wax.

I have not ever seen a solvent that would do a good job of softening wax
of any kind.  You usually end up with a foul smelling mess and a slug
that is traped as solidly as ever.

> 
> What exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to completely remove all the wax from a coil
> and slug, or just free up the slug so you can tune the thing? Or something else?
> 
> If you want to completely remove all the wax from everything, I'd heat it on a paper towel in
> an oven, then do a solvent soak. Picking a solvent that will not attack the wire's insulation
> might be tricky. I'd stay away from Acetone, MEK, Xylene, an Toluene, and try Heptane (rubber
> cement thinner) first.

Heating in an oven is a good idea (keep and eye on it and watch the
temp.  Dont heat it any more than needed). I would stay away from ANY
type of solvent.  If this is some sort of bees wax, the heat should melt
any residue and let it flow into the towel.  Heat will also soften any
of the hard wax keeping the tuning slug from moving.  Be very, very,
careful in trying to break loose the tuning slug.  It is best not to use
a metal tool even if it fits.  Try to find something that will fit made
of plastic or other forgiving material. A metal tool will risk breaking
the slug.  Once that happens, it will be very hard to move or remove and
even harder to replace.  Unless you can find an exact replacement
(electrical as well as mechanical) you risk screwing up the permiability
which may result in wild excursions from the inductance values needed.

In fact, your problems could very well be due a broken slug.  Wax or no
wax, a broken slug will resist movement because the force of the tool
will try to expand the slug in the threaded hole causing it to bind
against the walls of the form.

I dont envy your predicament.  I have been there before with similar
problems and have not always ended up with a happy solution.


Regards,
Frank Kamp
K5DKZ