TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Great spring material, but Berillium is very dangerous to machine (the dust, inhaled, is toxic and causes berylliosis). Just a bit of trivia...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

(Just don't cut a beryllium oxide substrate and breath the dust - QUITE deadly.)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Yep, I’m always VERY careful when working with it.

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

Thanks...

Dik

rcarol

What rpm are you using?

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

I knew it was toxic, but, didn't know it was that toxic... just took a peek at its toxicity. Thanks for the heads up.

Dik

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I use the D-Tox products for metals and conductive plastics. They were recommended to me by an experienced camera and electronic repair technician. I do not spray them directly onto lens contacts. I apply them sparingly to a lint free cloth and clean the contacts. I don't wait until the contacts become noticeably dirty or when a cleaning message occurs. On my lenses and bodies that are used on location and where the lenses are changed frequently in the field, I do routine preventative cleaning on all the equipment.

I never use erases or abrasives that can leave debris, residue or fragments of any kind- stuff that may fall in or migrate into other parts of the lenses or bodies. I have a cylinder of medical air that I used to use for dusting negatives in the darkroom- I use it a low pressure and avoid canned air with may have impurities or propellants that can spray out with the air.

I never use lubricants solvents, cleaners or drugstore alcohols or anything that is not specifically formulated for electronic contacts or photographic equipment maintenance.
My theory is that there may be additives or water that may not be compatible with the materials or the usage involved. I am not an industrial chemist or a metallurgist but I have been following this policy for many years and have never had an issue where I worsened a cleaning situation with an inappropriate method.

As I have mentioned in other threads, I, at one time, ran a second business of repairing, modification and building electronic flash gear. I shared a premises with a camera repair service and between us we coud write a very sad book about folks who attempted some DIY repairs and maintenance with the wrong tools, lubricants and cleaners.

The best policy is light and routine preventative maintenance with the right cleaners and methods- don't wait for trouble to occur and if it does, beyond light cleaning, bring or send it in for cleaning or repairs- in the end you will save money and avoid really costly repair bills.