Richard Clark wrote:


This all returns to the same lack of need when tightening up the
contact spring would do the trick just as Mark described. The "good"
chemicals that have been suggested are not cheap, and the "bad"
chemicals (Hydrochloric Acid no less) are extremely cheap to get, but
a pain to get rid of.

Not that I'd ever use Hydrochloric acid, but aren't we talking about a
simple acid/basic reaction to turn it into something benign? I used to
use an acidic Cibachrome photo developing solution which we used some
magnesium hydroxide to neutralize.

- Mike KB3EIA -

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 20:39:04 GMT, Mike Coslo
wrote:

Richard Clark wrote:


This all returns to the same lack of need when tightening up the
contact spring would do the trick just as Mark described. The "good"
chemicals that have been suggested are not cheap, and the "bad"
chemicals (Hydrochloric Acid no less) are extremely cheap to get, but
a pain to get rid of.

Not that I'd ever use Hydrochloric acid, but aren't we talking about a
simple acid/basic reaction to turn it into something benign? I used to
use an acidic Cibachrome photo developing solution which we used some
magnesium hydroxide to neutralize.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Hi Mike,

Yes, I've done darkroom work too and I have worked professionally with
acids in chemistry analysis (Titration and back-titrations). The
difference there is that I could always measure my reaction products
with indicators or probes or test strips. None of that has been
offered as part of the regimen for fixing what an allen wrench can do
quite well with none of the risk of uncontrolled exposure. If you
have to buffer and wash the coil, you may as well skip the acid anyway
and do it right.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC