Stove element pins

[rhschnauss]

I have a 1949 frigidaire stove with the exposed nicrome elements for the broil and bake elements. The coils attach to plated pins in the back of the element, and these pins in turn plug into the back of the oven. The plating has rubbed off the pins and the pins had rusted and pitted to the point that they either do not make contact or arc. Does anyone know what material these pins were made of and the plating material used on them. I would like to do a production run of them for myself and others in this situation. If not does anyone know of a replacement source for these pins? Vendor perhaps?

 

[g3bill]

Not the answer you want but think you might want to use a dremel tool and wire wheel to clean those pins up for good contact, might even need a very fine emery cloth to get started. A product like a high temp grease you could apply a light coat on pins would be nice??? I use muriatic pool acid to start with on most rusted items but need to cut it with a little water (about 70/30) and neutralize with baking soda.

If you want to replace the pins whats connecting them to the collector? Is this for sevice or show? If you could find a skewer that size of pin would be perfect... If theres a hole for bolt/revit its hard to drill stainless.

 

[rhschnauss]

pins

The pins are heavily pitted and do not make contact well if at all in the ceramic block in the back of the oven. Replacement is really the only option for service. I have talked with a machine shop and tapping and grinding is a very easy job, once I can figure out what metal to use. Bar stock is available in this width and I could buy a couple foot piece to make the pins out of. http://www.onlinemetals.com/ has a full selection of different bar stock of the correct width, but need someone to tell me what to buy.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The main problem is the clips that the pins plug into in the ceramic block. With age and heat, they lose their tempering so they do not close tightly against the pins anymore causing the arcing that pits the pins. You need to do something about the clips before the pins. We used to be able to buy them as parts, but now, you would need to find a specialized source for these, I imagine.

 

[lamont]

I would assume those pins are probably just plated mild steel. They really do not need any strength.

 

[rhschnauss]

Clips

The clips disintegrated when I removed the element and have a great pair waiting to be installed. I checked some of the other pins when I was making up one side of the oven to work properly and they were loose so I replaced them with some of the good used ones I found. I think it's a great point to check the clips when anyone pulls the elements from their stove for repair. Great advice.