[Heath] Stuck coil slug....

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 8 Oct 2013 at 10:28, Alexander N. Gerli wrote:

> So I need some advice on how to loosen that critter. I can't be
> absolutely sure, but I am certain that the slug is not cracked. I
> thought what I might use. I have a nice Wagner heat gun with two
> settings. If I applied some heat to the slug can, would that possibly
> help get things moving again?

What I have done, and it worked, was to use a metal hex tool (but NOT for 
turning the slug!!!!!) that fits, stick it down into the stuck slug, and 
CAREFULLY apply a soldering iron to the metal tool. Heat travels down the 
tool to the stuck slug, and will sometimes loosen it.

There are at least a couple of reasons slugs get stuck. 1) they are coated 
with beeswax, which hardens. Heat softens or melts the beeswax. 2) the 
paper coil form has absorbed moisture and swells. Heat dries that out 
(eventually) and allows the paper to shrink a bit. 3) there may be some old 
lube of some sort in there which has hardened. Heat also melts that.

Be patient. Application of heat will eventually loosen the slug.

If all else fails, you can break it up and get the pieces out, then simply 
replace the slug. The sizes are pretty standardized.

I have had to do that too.

BTW, why aren't you learning to play the bagpipe? You have almost all of 
the other required paraphenalia.

Ken Gordon W7EKB