[ARC5] ARC-5 repair

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

My tool of choice for opening rolled lip aluminum or brass cans on capacitors 
or vibrators is the smallest pair of Xcelite end cutters (currently have 
light green handles).  I bought an extra pair and ground one sharp edge flat with 
a Dremel grinder.  And painted that one black.  With standard size capacitors 
and vibrators, I just hold the can in my left hand and the cutters in the 
right and go around the end of the can about four times, opening the crip a little 
at each pass.  With the small cans from a Command Set you'd need to rig 
something else to hold them.

With the vibrator fixed or the capacitor guts replaced, I use a small (8 oz) 
shop hammer to work the crimped lip back down, again making around four 
passes.

If you don't dull the cutting edge on the outside end of the cutters, it will 
be scored and prone to break.  And in any case the cut will be visible when 
you close it back up.  If you ever have to do it again, it will almost always 
break off.

In a message dated 12/9/2008 8:55:50 PM Central Standard Time, 
ranickel at comcast.net writes: 
> >One approach that I've used successfully is shown at 
> >
> http://aafradio.org/garajmahal/Removing_command_receiver_capacitor_tops.html 
> >(the lathe isn't essential, just handy to use if you have one.)  A 
> >little bit of JB Weld and you end up with a pretty tight assembly. 
> Hi Mike,
> 
> Thanks for the great suggestion!  I wouldn't have have thought of using 
> the tubing cutter, but it looks like that would work slick.  I have an 
> HLV lathe, and assume that's what is shown, so I guess that answers my 
> question of whether collets large enough are available.   I need to put 
> 5C collets on my shop wish list ;-)   I have tried using a cutoff tool 
> to open up electrolytic cans held in my three jaw chuck, with fairly 
> dismal results.  Using a hacksaw blade worked pretty well however.
> 
> I managed to pry the rolled edge of the BC-453 can back with a pair of 
> flush-cutters and fitted three mylars inside.  I twisted one lead of 
> each together and soldered it to the can for the ground side, and 
> drilled three small holes in the lid and wrapped to the three 
> terminals.  It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected - thanks 
> for all the good suggestions.
> 
> 73, Bob W9RAN
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480
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