Current Altman lamp sockets are as with I believe all brands of P-28s lamp sockets -
Fresnel or old school radial
Leko lamp
socket made differently at this
point. There has been a mounting screw change that don’t fit the old gear in where the screws mounting it don't match up, also an O.D. to the
socket that won’t always fit inside older fixtures in being larger. This is fact in just ordered some from
Altman to confirm amongst other brands of
socket Bryant, Bender, Ushio
etc to confirm. Other sockets that should be a direct replacement are not available any longer.
Meaning, while the lamp
socket type is available from many sources, how they mount as a standard in holes to fit have changed, as with the O.D. of the
socket now larger. That O.D. of the
socket in some instances might become a problem in
fitting in close tolarances for really old gear, otherwise, just spin the lamp
socket 180 degrees,
mark and re-tap the plate for the new lamp
socket mounting in working again.
This for new’ replacement sockets. Beyond steel wool, I believe I have presented many times on tips and steps to refurbish old P-28s lamp sockets. Believe I have about a 90% ratio in this saving of this specific lamp
base type as long as all advice is followed. We are also talking about well over a hundred of this
base style I have re-surfaced in making viable again and into the hundreds of the range I have saved from... gee bad
base. Than beyond that, cracked
porcelain makes for parts viable to another with a good one. Made up a few viable lamp sockets by way of spare parts also.
On the lamps used, shouldn't make a difference if the lamp
socket is good, spring tension is good as with the wiring - though a more
point source of contact could be debated as opposed to a more plate source if the solder weld isn't more so the drect contact in that plate not mattering.
Can remember some DC bayonet bases with solder conctacts that were a problem also in that solder contact was a source of the problem. Solder literally melted away from the lamp
socket in not providing a good connection. Fan or not of the beade contact, it's not persay better than plate that often isn't it also.