How to clean tube pins?

It depends on the condition of the tube pins.  If you think there's simply some oxidation film on the pins, an alcohol rinse should suffice.  Be careful, though, the alcohol will dissolve and ruin any labeling on the tube that's not etched.

I regularly use a wire brush, rinse with alcohol and dry, and then use a tube straightener to bring the pins back into alignment.  Some may cringe at the use of a wire brush (soft wire - brass or similar), but I've seen pins so bad that the corrosion looked like ship-bottom barnacles.  In some cases, I've had to get a knife and cut the stuff off.

I would never use a file - that's when you really are talking about thinning and weakening the pins.

I highlighted in bold below what I do.  It does the trick every time.  I'm not afraid of talking a brass wire brush to the pins.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb 

It depends on the condition of the tube pins.  If you think there's simply some oxidation film on the pins, an alcohol rinse should suffice.  Be careful, though, the alcohol will dissolve and ruin any labeling on the tube that's not etched.

 

I regularly use a wire brush, rinse with alcohol and dry, and then use a tube straightener to bring the pins back into alignment.  Some may cringe at the use of a wire brush (soft wire - brass or similar), but I've seen pins so bad that the corrosion looked like ship-bottom barnacles.  In some cases, I've had to get a knife and cut the stuff off.

 

I would never use a file - that's when you really are talking about thinning and weakening the pins.

How do you clean tube sockets?

Tube out. Tube in. Tube out. Tube in x 30 times?

If the sockets are loose, is it possible to re-tighten them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuwhere 

If the sockets are loose, is it possible to re-tighten them?

The best that you can do is replace them, IMHO.  It's also best to buy ones with gold pin clamps.  If you're really industrious, you can try a dental pic.  The small curled tip can sometimes get into the socket enough to bend the pin clamps back toghether.  Often when they're sprung, though, they're not going to get the original tightness back. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb 

The best that you can do is replace them, IMHO.  It's also best to buy ones with gold pin clamps.  If you're really industrious, you can try a dental pic.  The small curled tip can sometimes get into the socket enough to bend the pin clamps back toghether.  Often when they're sprung, though, they're not going to get the original tightness back. 
 

 

13 tubes and so many pin sockets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuwhere 

13 tubes and so many pin sockets.

Well, there's one final thing you can do if none of that sounds attractive.  Carefully, take your fingernail or a pair of pliers and bend each pin slightly outward.  We're talking slightly here - maybe 2 or 3 degrees out of vertical.  You should still be able to plug all the tubes in, but they'll definitely be tighter and have a better connection.