periodically, the instruments will shut down, the previous owner told me she would just run her fingers over the fuses and the problem would clear. this works, but i'm wondering if anyone here has had a similar problem and what the remedy was, like replacing the panel(doubt they are very available) or maybe bending the little tabs on the fuse holders to make them more snug (with my luck, i'd break something). perhaps there is a current fuse holder which holds modern glass fuses available somewhere.
t.i.a.
flaps

1) Clean, clean, clean the contacts. Crocus cloth, pencil eraser... get the contact points completely shiny.

2) Bend tabs very judiciously.

3) Reinstall fuses with dielectric grease on the tips to prevent future oxidation.

Phil;

1. ...a good start, BUT, since the Euro-fuses make contact on just a small circular area, their contact area needs to be especially carefully cleaned(disco. bat. first!, with small diameter drillbit, a small rolled up piece of emery cloth, or even a cotton swab dipped into valve lapping compound - flush with carbcleaner/brakecleaner when finished). Here a picture of the corrosion which occurs on Euro-fuses:



Source of pic and suggested reading: http://www.intelab.com/swem/gastight.htm

2. ...nothing to add there!

3. ...it would be better to use CONDUCTIVE anti-corrosive paste, than INSULATING dielectric grease! See: http://www.intelab.com/swem/anti_corrosive_paste.htm
Cheers