[Boatanchors] strong alignment tools needed

[Dick KF4NS]

Garey, Bob et al,

I mentioned this a while back on one of the lists but not all are 
aware.

I have found that the best solution to loosen the stuck slugs is to 
spray some 100 pct silicone in there and wait a about an hour, then 
try again to turn them. I usually turn them down a little first 
because for some reason they always seem to be easier to move down. I 
have also stripped some plastic tools by trying too hard before I 
discovered this solution. Give it a try. Good luck.
73, Dick KF4NS
St Petersburg, FL 33714 USA
Keep The Glow!

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:06:20 -0500
From: Garey Barrell <k4oah at mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] strong alignment tools needed
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net, hammarlund at mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: <4921CEBC.8000809 at mindspring.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Bob -

Be careful with "stronger" tools of the hex type.  It is very easy to
fracture the slugs with a "strong" tool, and then you have a REAL
problem!!  The fractured slug then expands as you try and turn the 
tool,
jamming it tighter, causing you to twist harder, etc.....  If you 
can't
turn a slug with a plastic tool, try and determine why before just
getting a "bigger hammer"!!  :-)

If a plastic tool won't move a slug, try a little heat from a heat gun
(on LOW) or a hair dryer.  Some are "locked" with beeswax and a little
heat will soften it.  Sometimes a tough one will succumb to a metal 
hex
wrench that has been pre-heated with a soldering iron.

Screwdriver slotted slugs are a little tougher, but will also crack if
overstressed.

Metal trimmer screws are not as problematic, but be careful not to 
short
the adjustment screw to the chassis when working through a hole in the
chassis.  These trimmers are often "HOT" and even a momentary short to
chassis can fry resistor(s) in very obscure places!  A piece of heat
shrink over the shaft, leaving only the tip exposed, is a good safety
precaution.

73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA

Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>



Bob Young wrote:
> Does anyone know of a source for good strong alignment tools that 
> are
> good for boatanchors especially ones that haven't been touched for
> 30-40 years? (like most) All I can find are the flimsy plastic ones 
> or
> equally flimsy wooden ones which usually last about an hour, I have
> probably tried all the common ones.
>
> Bob Young
> KB1OKL
>