[ARC5] Fall Project: 160 Mtr AN/ARC-5 Set

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Mike Hanz
> The only saving grace with 
> the masking fluid is that it does come up out of the groove with a 
> fingernail, or even with a thumb or index finger (those fingerprints 
> prints have amazing gripping abilities!:-) )  It is possible with care 
> to lay down a "humped up" line of masking fluid with the needle that is 
> easier to grab with a fingerprint area of the hand after the paint has 
> cured.  

Okay, now I thought that's what you did in the first place - or it made
sense to me that's what you meant ... or something.  

> Then with even a small fragment of the groove exposed, the rest 
> of each letter can be cleaned out with a dental tool 'cause you then 
> know where the sucker is located.  Over time I've gradually collected 
> broken dental tools from my dentist to offer a huge variety of end 
> shapes and angles to work on different aspects of the engraved groove.  

One thing I've learned since I started using watchmaker's tools and actually
working on timepieces is that the fine art of tool making is an absolute
necessity.  I do mean "fine" as I've mentioned before.  It looks like I need
to make a set of picks if I have to get into redoing engraved surfaces which
leads me to a question.  Usually when I'm making something small and round
like this, it gets touched first with either a ruby or sapphire polishing
stone then finished with a burnishing steel.  Is it safe to assume this is
overkill in this case?  :-)

> I find that with some panels it is 
> easier to use a big lighted magnifying glass rather than the stereo 
> microscope...it all depends on your individual preference and eyesight.  

Let's see ... lighted magnifying glass, visor with a selection of lenses, a
two lens setup that clips to my glasses and, of course, clip-on eye loupes.*
I always wanted a stereo microscope with enough clearance to do real work
but could never afford one.  A model machinist I knew had something like
five of them scattered around his shop.  *grumble*   Something I'm
considering is webcams or some other camera thingie that can see better than
I can (which really doesn't take much) although working by watching a
monitor may be an interesting acquired talent.  

> I would say that it is an acquired art that gets better with practice, 
> though...I wouldn't be looking for perfection the first few times out.  
> At least I surely didn't achieve it, and sometimes it still eludes me...

Sometimes you just have to go with the 50 foot rule, to wit: If it can't be
seen by someone riding by on a horse at full gallop from 50 feet away, it's
klose enuf.  :-)

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG ex-K3MXO, ex-KN3MXO, WPE3ARS, BL01xh ex-Mensa A&P PP BGI 
I am me.  I’m the only one who’s qualified.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com
Hiki Nô!