[Premium-Rx] Prevent Broken Slugs

[Charles Steinmetz]

Robert wrote:

>> The material is Finish Line DRY Teflon Lube  * * *  It consists of a low viscosity hydrocarbon, synthetic oil, and teflon particles.

Gary wrote:

 > I like that much better.  I will buy some and try it on an old 
inductor before I try it in the radio.

Dry teflon is a fine idea.  The "low viscosity hydrocarbon" may or may 
not be a good idea, depending on how fast and how completely it 
evaporates.  But many 390/390A coils have been ruined by putting any 
sort of oil in them.  I recommend not using anything containing oil on 
the variable inductors and transformers.  I'd be very wary of the 
hydrocarbon, too, until it has been thoroughly tested on spare coils.

You are on the right track with heat.  A hairdryer on "hot" or a heat 
gun used judiciously is what I've used for decades.  I often lubricate 
the slugs and coil forms with dry teflon or graphite after pulling them 
all the way out, but that doesn't help frozen slugs because the dry 
lubricants can't penetrate between the slug and the form.  Real 
old-timers used talcum powder.

As has already been mentioned, use properly-fitting tools and don't 
force stubborn slugs.

Best regards,

Charles