[CW] Lightning Deluxe questions

D.J.J. Ring, Jr. via CW cw at mailman.qth.net
Mon Dec 15 15:11:30 EST 2014 

The mechanical drawings are "new ones" since 1978 showing the Deluxe
versions as made "at that time" - and the grounding wire had been removed
in 1978 by Mr. Garsoe of Maine the "new" owner of Vibroplex.  No one has
thought of putting it back.

The changes since 1978 are:


   1. Elimination of Deluxe model grouding strap from main lever to base.
   2. Elimination of machined threads in the red plastic piece that goes in
   the top hole of the Deluxe keys.  "Decorative Plastic Piece" is not glued
   in with Duco.
   3. Elimination of shorting switch as an option.
   4. Elimination of Lightning Bug, Champion, Blue Racer and Presentation
   Models.
   5. Addition of new Original finishes:  Blue Racer Millinium,
   Presentation, All Gold Presentation, Anniversary.

73

David N1EA



On Mon, Dec 15, 2014 at 9:50 AM, Joseph L Pontek Sr via CW <
cw at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>  Oh, I am going to crash shortly and hope I get a good nights sleep.  I
> have another detox treatment tomorrow
> morning.  I had two great night's sleep after the last one.  I messed up
> texting, give me a key, so missed having
> another treatment this weekend.
>
> I now have great pictures with details of the Deluxe Lightning that
> clarifies much of the differences of the Deluxe
> vs. Standard Lightning keys.
>
> I may repeat some things here, but it will be in one spot.  The Deluxe
> keys use jewelled trunion screws.  These
> trunions have a small bit of jewel imbedded inside the hole and the
> arbours for the Deluxe have a more rounded
> tip that rides on the jewel.  The Standard arbours are more pointed and
> the taper rides on the side/edge of
> their trunions.  I have miss placed my document regarding these jewelled
> trunions, but it seems like they were
> ruby or red and later became green?
>
> Originally, the jewelled trunions were the same, top & bottom, and
> adjustable.  What was happening, some
> users were over tightening the trunion screws and were cracking the
> jewels.  Vibroplex then made the upper
> trunion shorter and put in a red plastic jewel that screwed into the top
> hole, covering the trunion screwed.
> Now, the red cover is just glued in place.  That faux red jewel made it
> difficult to adjust the upper trunion.
> The feeling was, jewelled trunions did not need adjustment after they were
> set.  I am not sure why the
> Standard trunions needed re-adjusting after being set.  I think WW II
> vintage did have the same jewelled
> trunion screws, top & bottom, and no faux red jewel cap.
>
> Any bugs using the jewelled trunions should have the grounding strap.  I
> just could not find any drawing
> documenting the strap, even with the Original Deluxe types.  I heard the
> straps were dropped at one point,
> but I have no new Deluxe keys to look at.  The ones I have seen, the pivot
> hinge is taped and the braid
> is attached there. I have seen the other end put under the frame and to a
> screw into the frame.  The
> Lightning the same, except the ground end is to a screw in a tapped hole
> of the left round vertical post.
> I think it was Benny's photo confirmed that.  I will have to verify the
> screw sizes used for the braid,
> but I suspect they are 2-56 pan head screws.
>
> Even now, some Lightning parts are no longer available via Vibroplex.  I
> am making a replacement top
> triangle with collet for one.  I have seen frame keys with those missing
> or broken going for dirt.
>
> The red knob and paddles were part of the Deluxe looks.  Maybe, the black
> was used in WW II?
>
> When I got my used Vizkey 90° bug, it had a problem that it would often
> miss the first dit after
> making a dash.  I put a clip lead between the dot bar (dual lever) and
> ground. The was gone.
> The TW has what looks like small brass springs wire going from the dot &
> dash bars and captured
> between the top triangle plate and the two support posts.  I tightened the
> screws a little and the
> problem was cured.  I am suspecting many bug dot problems could be traced
> to poor grounding of
> the dash/dot or dot bars.
>
> Thank you, guyd for confirming what I suspected and for the clarifying
> details.  Lightning Deluxe
> keys are fairly uncommon.
>
>  On 12/14/2014 7:27 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. via CW wrote:
>
> Hello Benny,
>
> Your guess is probably a good one because the WW2 Deluxe came with a
> painted base, had a slotted trunnion adjustment screw at the top - no
> red decorative piece, but had red finger pieces.
>
> It looks like it is a Standard Lightning Bug - - check the trunnion
> pin.  Is it rounded?  If so, it is a deluxe trunnion pin.  If it is
> sharp it is a standard pin.  OK now look at the cups - they should
> either look like a shallow redish dish - that's the deluxe bearing.
> The standard bearing looks more like a hole much more narrow than a
> deluxe.  It looks to me like a small allen screw - maybe 1 mm size.
>
> Joe you have better technical language than I do.  Can you improve my
> words and explanation?
>
> 73
>
> DR
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 14, 2014 at 8:12 PM, Benny Owens via CW <cw at mailman.qth.net> <cw at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>  HI JOE
>
> YES THEY HAD A GROUND STRAP OR COILED WIRE.  THE UPPER BEARING IS NOT
> ADJUSTABLE.  THE FAUX RED THING SITS ABOVE IT.
>
> I HAVE TWO DELUXE L'BUGS AND THEY ARE IDENTICAL EXCEPT THE FAUX RED BUTTON
> ON TOP IS MISSING ON ONE.  THIS PIECE OF RED PLASTIC IS JUST DECORATIVE AND
> DOES NOTHING FOR BUG OPERATION.
>
> I HAVE A GREY BASE, BLACK HANDLED L'BUG  WITH THE DELUXE BEARINGS. THE RED
> PLASTIC DOT IS THERE TOO.   IT DOES NOT HAVE THE SHORTING STRAP AND WAS
> ERRATIC AS THE ONLY GROUND WAS THE DIT SPRING.  THAT HEAVY STIFF WIRE THE
> SPRING IS SOLDERED TO WAS LOOSE FITTING INSIDE THE ARM.  IT SOUNDED TERRIBLE
> UNTIL I ADDED A SHORTING STRAP.  MY GUESS IS THEY PHASED OUT THE DELUXE AND
> HAD THE BEARINGS LEFT OVER.  TO USE THEM UP, THEY WENT OUT ON A STANDARD
> MODEL.  ONLY A GUESS.
>
> I HAVE PHOTOS OF BOTH I RECENTLY SEND SOME OF THE 40M RAG CHEW GANG SINCE
> THEY GOT TO HEAR THE BEFORE AND AFTER.  JOE, LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE
> INTERESTED IN SEEING THOSE PHOTOS.
>
> IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO ON THE HYBRID STANDARD/DELUXE CIRCA 1975 LIGHTNING
> BUG,  PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
>
> 73
> BENNY K5KV
>
> On Sat, Dec 13, 2014 at 11:38 PM, Joseph L Pontek Sr via CW<cw at mailman.qth.net> <cw at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>  With the Lightnings, the lower trunion screw is locked by a screw through
> the collet
> in the lower triangular plate.  The upper trunion screw is locked by a
> locking nut
> turned down to the collet on the upper triangular plate.
>
> Now, for the Deluxe I have a picture of, the upper collet has the typical
> faux red jewel,
> but I see no other means to lock that screw.  I am trying to find my notes
> about the
> jewelled trunion, but not yet found.  Maybe, it is not needed.  Also, did
> the Deluxe
> Lightnings have a ground braid from the dot bar to ground, also?
>
> --
> Regards, Joe, Ronnie (Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
> P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
> (Hopkins Village) Belize011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
> or
> 5204 Texas Highway 49 W
> Omaha, TX 75571-6474
> U.S.A.903-434-9111 (My NEW cellular when in Texas)903-884-5990 (Skype telephone number, Belize & TX)
> Also, K8JP, member FOC-1743, CWops-876, QCWA-LM21894, OOTC-4607, A1OP,
> SKCC-3171T, NAQCC-5798, Flying Pig-2819, FISTS-7625CC951, A1C-2299, SOC
> 1075, 10-10 22977, PG1915841, CW Rag chewers #21,
> Skype: v31joepalooka
> Facebook: Joe Pontek
> I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever and prefer basket cases
> to restore.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net <CW at mailman.qth.net>
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net <CW at mailman.qth.net>
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=
>
>  ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net <CW at mailman.qth.net>
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=
>
>
> --
> Regards, Joe, Ronnie (Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
> P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
> (Hopkins Village) Belize011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
> or
> 5204 Texas Highway 49 W
> Omaha, TX 75571-6474
> U.S.A.903-434-9111 (My NEW cellular when in Texas)903-884-5990 (Skype telephone number, Belize & TX)
> Also, K8JP, member FOC-1743, CWops-876, QCWA-LM21894, OOTC-4607, A1OP, SKCC-3171T, NAQCC-5798, Flying Pig-2819, FISTS-7625CC951, A1C-2299, SOC 1075, 10-10 22977, PG1915841, CW Rag chewers #21,
> Skype: v31joepalooka
> Facebook: Joe Pontek
> I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever and prefer basket cases to restore.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> =30=
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/attachments/20141215/04df7ca0/attachment-0001.html>

More information about the CW mailing list