Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:55:04 +1000, Chris Jones
<lugnut808@spam.yahoo.com> wrote:

On 19/08/2025 9:53 am, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On 17 Aug 2025 21:15:20 -0700, peter@easthope.ca wrote:

In article <mhpk9k1mj434uahl6ddk68r8dsihnhhisl@4ax.com>, Jeff >>>Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote: > Pull off (remove) the plastic >>>probe cover and tip.

Yes, with much more force than I expected, it came off.

This might help:
<https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/cheap-p6100-teardown/>

Interesting, thanks, ... P.

Some of my former co-workers had the irritating habit of using scope
probes to stir their favorite beverages. If it contained sugar, the
tip would be effectively glued in place. If it was lemon tear and
sugar, the lemon would etch the metal surfaces which provided better
adhesion for the glue. I believe that "energy drinks" were the worst
because the pH was rather acidic. Besides wrecking scope probe tips,
energy drinks are rot your teeth:
<https://markdannerdmd.com/downloads/table-beverage-acidity.pdf>

At the time (1972 - 1983), consumer ultrasonic cleaners were not
commonly available. I used an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to un-stick
scope probe tips. I don't recall having much difficulty removing
scope probe tips after they were cleaned to remove the sugar.
<https://www.google.com/search?q=ultrasonic%20jewelry%20cleaner&udm=2>

Hint: If you haven't broken and then repaired it, you probably don't
understand how it works.

I can think of a perfect countermeasure to this crime:

Dip each new probe into some 3M FT-32 bitter solution and allow the >residue to dry - it's not sticky. It is basically concentrated bitrex.
They will only do it one more time after that.

<https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005266000/> <https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-21399/Reusable-Respirators/3M-Repl <https://acement-FT-32-Fit-Test-Solution> <https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-20379/Dust-Masks-and-Respirators/3 <https://M-FT-30-Fit-Test-Bitter> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatonium>

Interesting idea, but rather expensive. I'm also not thrilled with
the possibility of being accused of poisoning someone elses coffee and permanently contaminating their coffee cup. I've had some limited
experience with Bitrex (don't ask). It transfers easily to the
fingers and then to the mouth. It can be neutralized with hydrogen
peroxide, but not completely. The typical dilution ratio is something
like 1:30,000. Painting the scope probe with Bitrex is likely to
render the scope probe and coffee cup unusable. The scope probe
vendor is unlikely to replace it under warranty.

Perhaps something a bit less noxious, such as a strong spice, could be
used. Food dye would make the coffee look unpalatable without causing
any harm.

I used to work in a biological research establishments and the practical
jokes there would have got you sacked in any ordinary lab; you learned
to be very wary of 'delicacies' handed around at coffee time.


--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk

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