Goog questions, bass1.

yes, the new socket is rolled using the alum tube. The release agent is one roll of thin clear plastic wrap (to cover food with) over the tube. I cut the wrap the length of the socket plus extra half inch at each side. Use office tape over the extra half inch to secure the wrap. Notice I just used one roll over the tube and allow it a tiny bit of overlap.

The thickness of the socket is measured out of the old socket. Translate that to the number of wraps based on the thickness of the fiber cloth. On mine, I recall it is about 3.5 wraps using 2 oz cloth. Epoxy is applied on to the cut cloth and firmly roll it over the tube covered with plastic wrap. Remove excess epoxy with tower paper when done.

The release of the socket is by gently pushing the alum tube through a hole on a wood block that is the exact OD of the stab tube. Use 2X4 wood block to tap the tube and socket will be pushed to one side of the tube. Then pull the stab tube over from the other side.

The old socket is removed using Dremel tool and hobby knife. First, the socket is cut through about 1/8" from the inside of the fuze. Do it from both side. This is to cut the socket into about 3 sections. The middle one should fall by itself. The two remaining sections hanging on the fuse sides are removed by Dremel tool through grinding. Be careful not to grind the fuse itself.


After the adjustment to the socket mounting hole is done, push the new socket over and trace the cuting lines from the fuse. Cut the new socket to length, sand for a perfect fit and glue it back. On SD Extra 260, there is an access door at the tail and I applied thick epoxy through the door to where the socket joins the fuze (inside).


Hope this explains the process.