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Vintage Amateur and Military Radio Amateur/military receivers and transmitters, morse, and any other related vintage comms equipment.

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Old 25th Feb 2021, 3:25 pm   #1
MrBungle
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Default WT 8 amp key material

Am restoring a rather grubby WT 8 Amp key. Does anyone know what material these are made out of or plated with so I don't go and make a mess of it? It's not ferrous at least.

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Old 26th Feb 2021, 7:44 am   #2
G3VKM_Roger
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Default Re: WT 8 amp key material

You might find some info here:-

http://www.n7cfo.com/tgph/Dwnlds/mm/MMs/WT8A.pdf

Cheers

Roger
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Old 26th Feb 2021, 11:41 am   #3
G3PIJpeter
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Default Re: WT 8 amp key material

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrBungle View Post
It's not ferrous at least.
I assume you mean that it is non-magnetic. It looks like that ghastly zinc alloy used for die-casting but it can't be for the purpose of making a morse key. Possibly brass plated with something that has lightly corroded (surface oxidised) over the years?
Peter
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Old 26th Feb 2021, 12:25 pm   #4
NottsIan
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Default Re: WT 8 amp key material

I'd guess brass with either nickel or cadmium plating.
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Old 26th Feb 2021, 5:33 pm   #5
G3PIJpeter
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Default Re: WT 8 amp key material

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Originally Posted by NottsIan View Post
I'd guess brass with either nickel or cadmium plating.
Cadmium plating was generally used on steel (reading Wikipedia). If the base metal of that key is non-ferrous and is some alloy of copper, then a nickel plate is likely the best bet. It is possible to achieve a matt finish as well as the usual bright shiny nickel plate appearance. There is also an electroless method.
Peter
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Old 27th Feb 2021, 12:56 am   #6
dtvmcdonald
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Default Re: WT 8 amp key material

That URL above, pointing to a very long article, has the answer in a military spec sheet.

Excerpts:

Brass -To be 70/30 hard drawn or rolled of best quality, free from splits and other defects.
Brass castings -To be 70/30, free from blow holes, pitting and other defects.

Steel-To be stainless and of best quality.

Steel for springs -To be best quality, hard drawn.

Contacts -To be of steel, faced with Tungsten. The latter to be welded to the former in such a manner that neither of the metals will develop rust.

Brass -To be finished smooth and dull nickel plated.

Spring -To be dull nickel plated.

Contacts -to be finished flat and their surfaces burnished.

TESTS A current of 12 amperes will be applied across the contacts of the key for 10 minutes, during which time the key will be operated in the normal manner, the key must work freely and smoothly and show no signs of overheating at the contacts.
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Old 27th Feb 2021, 5:42 pm   #7
MrBungle
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Default Re: WT 8 amp key material

Thanks everyone for the input. Much appreciated!

So the question is now: how do I clean nickel plating without ruining it.
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