Tight tube sockets

Hello all,
In my recent ST-70 project with the VTA driver board, I find that the tube sockets on the driver board have incredibly tight pin holders.  When inserting 12AU7's, I am afraid I may damage the board, it takes so much pressure as I rock them in.  Is there any way to loosen the sockets, or maybe lubricate the pins to make tube rolling easier?

I suggest you remove the back cover and turn the amp on it's side. While supporting the driver board near the sockets with one hand, firmly push in the tube with the other hand. Deoxit might help too, you could try that first.

I cured a case of tight tube sockets on my VTA SP14 preamp using the method mijohn describes, but I made sure I was using a low value tube in case it was damaged by the process.

Are you using NOS tubes or new production. I have found that the NOS tube pins are slightly larger in diameter. Some more than others. The new production pins are slightly smaller. Perhaps they are metric sized.

Yes, I am using NOS tubes. I may have to support the back as mijohn suggests.