Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: labb on July 02, 2014, 10:45:53 am

Title: Tube socket issue
Post by: labb on July 02, 2014, 10:45:53 am

Finished my 6G15 build and was checking it. Went to install the 12A_7 tubes and could not get either in the sockets. Inspecting the sockets showed that some of the pin holes had solder in them. Have never had this problem before. I don't tend to use too much solder or too much heat. Looking at the sockets on the bottom side where you make the connections I don't see how solder could get into the pin holes from the back. These sockets are CE P-ST9-162, 9 pin, minature, ceramic base. What did I do wrong?

Title: Re: Tube socket issue
Post by: tubenit on July 02, 2014, 10:53:17 am

In the future, if you have a spare 9 pin tube, stick a tube in the socket prior to wiring it up.

I've done the same thing you have and gotten solder in the pins making it impossible to put the tubes in.

It happens. Sometimes, I've been able to desolder it well enough to make it useable.

With respect, Tubenit

Title: Re: Tube socket issue
Post by: labb on July 02, 2014, 11:27:51 am

Thanks for the reply Tubenit. I'll do that. I tried to desoder them  and even thought about drilling them but knew that I would never be satisfied with it. I just went ahead and order two new ones.

Title: Re: Tube socket issue
Post by: eleventeen on July 02, 2014, 02:57:56 pm

I've heard about this happening but never experienced it. Now you have a reason to keep old dead tubes around!

Title: Re: Tube socket issue
Post by: tubeswell on July 03, 2014, 04:47:01 pm

You can easily get the solder out if you have like a 60-80W flat tip iron. Heat the pin clamp solder tab up good and hot and bang the socket downwards hard on a solid table top of some kind. Do this a few times with each socket clamp. Been there and done this a few times.


You can avoid this happening by holding the chassis in a 'sideways' position when soldering the leads to the tube sockets, so the the solder doesn't merely run down the pin (clogging it up). Also don't put wads of solder on the joint - just enough to secure the lead properly. And if you use like a 25W fine tip iron for soldering the leads on, you can avoid overheating the pin - which otherwise causes the solder to take longer to harden, and increases the chances of it clogging up the socket clamps.