You'd be better advised to use a really fine diamond lapping paste as you
might obtain from an industrial supplier. There are fine enough pastes
available that one can lap to a .000003" finish . . . essential if you're
making Jo-blocks, but probably overkill for your task. If you contact an
outfit like Manhattan Supply Corp, which has branches throughout the U.S,
you'll find something suitable and probably in a quantity you can afford.
If you're worried about the head flatness, I'd not try this trick until
you're more sure of yourself, though.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: 14" hard drive refurb....
>
> Ok, I know this sounds crazy....
>
> One person told me that if the heads were heavily oxidized, that they
could
> be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and TOOTHPASTE
(followed by a rinsing
in
91%
alcohol)???????
Anyone know if this is crazy or advisable?
Toothpaste is a fairly mild abrasive that does sometimes help in
cleaning/polishing things. I've used it on the plastic covers from panel
meters, for example.
But I'd not use it on a disk head. My feeling is that you will damage the
surface. I doubt if you'd ever get it flat enough to work.
No real evidence, though, but I sure wouldn't try it.
-tony