OT: RE: copper

[KA4HJH]

>There was a product called Tweak.  It was a liquid in a tiny bottle with a
>small brush attached to the lid.  The idea is that is was conductive and
>that you brush in on a plug before you insert it.  I can say for sure that
>it worked and worked well although I didn't do any truly scientific tests
>to quantify this.

This is a semiconducting liquid polymer. It only conducts when the gap
between the mating surfaces is very small, and being a liquid, gets into
every nook and cranny. They tried it on some crummy old stereo in Stereo
Review on time and it actually worked--made horribly corroded connectors
work as good as new!

>The downside was that 1) it was expensive (but lasts a long time - only use
>a little) 2) works for pretty much one insertion and will probably be wiped
>off when you remove it and 3) it will evaporate after a long time (how
>long? - dunno) so you need to reapply it.

They're always a catch.

>I used to use it with my guitar when I'd plug in for long sessions.  I
>think its' intended application is on hifi connectors that get plugged in
>once and forgotten.

The best application was model railroads. In Model Railroader they took a
layout with dirty, poorly-laid track and the cheapest locomotive they could
find (wouldn't even make it all the way around without being bumped a few
times), then applied this stuff to the rails. Suddenly it was moving like a
Shinkansen. Supposedly it lasted for months, depending on how heavy the
traffic was. The best part was that it's also an excellent quencher, since
it turns into an insulator as the wheel breaks contact. Practically no
arching at the wheels at all, the main source of corrosion.

>Does anyone know if they still sell it?

Haven't seen if for a while. Anybody?

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"