[jules]

I noticed a comment in another thread here on a possible soldering problem so this might be useful ...

You might have noticed that leads and other connectors that start out bright and shiny, fnish up somewhat tarnished if they've been on the stockists shelf for a while. Since this is no doubt some form of oxide, I've found it easy and helpful to give dull surfaces a bit of a rub with steel wool before soldering. It works well! It's less abrasive than sand-paper and more flexible. Most importantly, it seems to allow solder to flow much better.

I think this could apply to the tube sockets used in GK-1s. I've just had a close look at mine [as yet, still unused] and it's definitely on the dull side.

I've never seen this suggested anywhere else but the only thing needing care is to avoid using the steel wool above anything that might be sensitive to a light rain of fine, broken steel wool particles.

Jules

[AKSA]

Jules,

Great suggestion.....many thanks!

Another abrasive cleaner I use is copper wool, used for washing saucepans, and usually made in a net, which does not break up like steel wool (which is very expensive, comes from hydraulic rams... ) and might be just as good as any copper rub-off is solderable.

Cheers,

Hugh

[ginger]

Here is one from the dim dark ages that someone told me when I was an apprentice, 35 years ago, and I used ever since.
Before starting to load your Printed Circuit Boards go over the solder pads, any edge connectors etc with an ink eraser (remember those - you should still be able to find them at stationary shops). They are just abrasive enought to take of any tarnish without removing any of the PCB copper, gold edge connector fingers or whatever.
Cheers
Ginger

[lord dubious]

I use Multicore Tip Tinner/Cleaner.  It comes in a little 15 gram container.  Lasts a long time and only costs a few bucks.  Just put the hot iron tip in the cleaner for a couple of seconds (rotate the iron to clean all of the tip) and then wipe on a damp sponge.  It makes getting a nice joint pretty easy.  Worth a try if you do not already use it.  I am still a novice so I hope this does not sound too obvious.

[AKSA]

Ginger,

Thanks for the tip;  those erasers are slightly abrasive, work very well, I've used this technique myself!

Lord Dubious,

Another good idea - thank you! 

I must say I'm deeply impressed (without a trace of scepticism) by your net moniker....

Cheers,

Hugh