I know that tube sockets can be replaced, what I would like to know is can they be riveted back in or is using screws the best way to do this? Thanks for any info you can provide!

Gene

Yes, to both questions.

Thanks Brian,
To clarify the question better, how do you go about riveting a tube socket onto the chassis? What type of tools do you need to do this with?

Are the sockets grounded to the chassis? If so how does using screws affect the grounding?

Gene

What type of socket Gene. Are you aware that on many modled sockets you can remplace individual connectors?

Hi Bruce,
I have a Scott Philharmonic power supply that the chrome is in pretty rough shape. There are six tubes on this chassis. I am trying to determine if I want to tackle this and get the base redone. Obviously riveting would keep the set as close to original as possible, but I am not sure if it is practical.

The other set is a Philco 53-960 which has a loctal socket with multiple cracks in it. The set plays fine but it is bugging me.

What do you think?

Gene

You can contack a local large hardware supplier and see if they have what you need for re-riviting the sockets to the chassis. A rivit set (tool, not a tool set) would be needed.
You can also screw the sockets to the chassis. Many mfg did that too. Be sure to include a good lockwasher also.
I do solder the screw/nut to the chassis also, for grounding purposes, as some sockets have a ground rail or buss on them.

I used 1/8 tubular rivets(depending on mounting hole diameter) and a installation tool. The installation tool from McMaster-Carr is about $45.00. Grainger, I believe has the rivets. You will need to get the correct length, (depending on your chassis and tube socket mounting flange thickness) to cinch properly. Ferd.

Being somewhat OCD, I have mounted a couple with plain old pop rivets, then filled in the center with solder, filed to shape and painted with enamel to match color with the others. Matching the color is tough and I've only done a couple because it seemed worth doing. Otherwise for run of the mill AC/DC sets I just use machine screws with a star washer under the nut.

Thanks for the replies! I will check out the various suggestions and see what I can do.

Gene

I would forget what was originally there (it's not a fish tank you're going to be staring at) and go for quality by ordering a set of tube sockets as replacements. Also, the simplest and easiest way to mount them is using 6-32 machine screws.

http://www.tubedepot.com/8pinocso.html

You can use button-head machine screws, which look pretty much like rivets from the top. Or, I recall Carl (burnt fingers) say that you can buy screws that look exactly like rivets, button head without the hex drive.

If you want to look for the rivets (and rivet setting tools), look under "semi-tubular rivets".

--Bob