Re: stressing IN18 pins

[Alexander Rubli]

Thanx for all who answered back.

I followed the instructions using a duck plier, there were some pins that were 90 degrees bent !

the nixiechron is so precise and well done, that the socket(s) helped me to the final stage for straightening the pins.

I just inserted the tubes gently and slowly, and I was feeling how the remaining parts of the bent portions came into place.

and voila, clock is working again…

best regards

Alexander

On Jan 25, 2014, at 1:52 AM, neoni...@googlegroups.com wrote:

Instrument Resources of America <IRACO...@HUGHES.NET> Jan 24 07:17AM -0800  

Here's how I straighten pins. First of all I NEVER hold on to the glass 
of a tube while straightening pins. I use a small pair, of smooth jaw, 
duck bill pliers, by placing them on the pin in the area of the bend and 
then squeeze the handles gently. Move around, and up and down on the pin 
to several different locations if necessary, until the pin is as 
straight as it's going to get. Do NOT hold the glass part of the tube 
and bend the pin against the glass as it could very well crack the 
glass. If the bend is far enough away from the glass, you MAY be able 
to use a second pair of 'small' nose pliers to hold onto the pin, as 
close to the glass as possible, and then use the duck bill pliers to 
accomplish the straightening. Other folks here may have better, and or 
different ideas, so WAIT until other folks here respond to you as well. 
Pick the ideas that you think will work best. I'd hate to be the one 
responsible for the breaking of a Nixie tube. The above process that I 
outlined above has worked well for me for many years. Ira.
 
 
 
On 1/24/2014 6:04 AM, Alex Rubli wrote:

 

Nicholas Stock <nick...@gmail.com> Jan 24 08:49AM -0800  

For any bent tube pins I've encountered, I have used some angled needle
nosed pliers and *very gently* straightened them by gently squeezing the
pin flat in the jaws of the pliers. I always avoid doing this too close to
the glass envelope as you'll risk cracking it. The pins on the IN-18's tend
to be a little less forgiving than say B7971's or Z568's in my experience,
so emphasis on gently and take your time...should be OK, I've yet to break
a tube doing it this way. However, I've broken a few tubes inserting them
into sockets too hard..;-(
 
Nick