EM switch contact cleaning

[strobey]

Is there a go-to tool for cleaning EM switch contacts?

I have in my head there's a spatula type tool with an abrasive fillet on the end, but I'm working on an EM so they're all high voltage and i know rough contacts should be avoided to prevent sparking & pitting.

Any ideas? What's best?

I want a tool rather than the folded paper trick, unless that's the thing!?

Cheers..

 

[astyy]

One option I use is the Dremel equipped with 443 Carbon Steel brush, so called "Dremel sabre" of nicovolta on pinside. Swab the contacts with IPA on cotton bud, buzz with Dremel brush, swab again, shiny shiny. The bristles of the brush splay like a cotton bud, it's a gentle cleaning approach and far less abrasive than it sounds.

 

[AlanJ]

the 'business card' trick worked well for me on the EM's I fixed up. The biggest swtich contact problems I had were on a score motor - which was underneath the playfield - a previous owner had oiled underside playfield mechs, the oil dripped onto the
contacts below and gunked them up.

But the usual black 'contact dust' Ive found to be very good conductor or electricity, so only clean it off if your having issues.

 

[strobey]

Thanks astyy.
Looking at the pictures of that 443 make me wonder about using a fibreglass pen with some IPA or Super 10. Hmmm...

One to ponder today. I do have a dremel and probably that tool in a set of random bits.

 

[strobey]

Thanks Alan. Yes i think it's the backbox score reels not properly detecting zero. I'm in a reset loop.

My biggest gripe with the paper trick is it's difficult to reach tricky areas. Feel like I need a thin tool. The dremel or brush could be a solution..

Cheers

 

[DAD]

The Pinball Resource

 

[DAD]

And if you want a really in depth OCD watch on adjusting switches and cleaning them with a dremel on relays try this:

 

[ronsplooter]

I use the Plastone Flexstone's that Dave has linked to above

 

[Paul]

I use STROWGER MICROSCRUB CONTACT CLEANERS -



If they worked for BT on Strowger exchanges for 50+ years cleaning those contacts, they should be good for the ones in EM machines

 

[strobey]

Thanks all, that's great [emoji106]

 

[DAD]

I use STROWGER MICROSCRUB CONTACT CLEANERS -

View attachment 136376

If they worked for BT on Strowger exchanges for 50+ years cleaning those contacts, they should be good for the ones in EM machines

where do you buy those Paul?
Google didn't throw up any sources

 

[Paul]

where do you buy those Paul?
Google didn't throw up any sources

I picked mine up (a couple of packs) a few years ago - however they do come up from time to time on ebay... Next time i see any i'll grab some for you to play with Dave

 

[DAD]

Brilliant thank you. I can see that those people who do have them are big fans [emoji846]