[Elecraft] pcb holder

[Steve Carey]

Hi All,

I built my K2 ( Plus 160mtrs, SSB, NB & RS232 Add-on's ) without the use of
a PCB Holder. I found the best tool to be a piece of anti-static foam ( from
a Mother-Board Box ), glued onto a piece of 1/4" FLAT Plywood. Place over
components on PCB, hold foam tight against board using both hands and "flip
over" just like you did when fitting all the relay onto the RF Board! Works
a treat. Most of the time, you don't even need to bend any component leads
to retain them prior to soldering!

I work in PCB assembly where we have 80 through-hole PCB assembly
technicians (Surface Mount . . that's another story!) . Each of their
benches is equipped with a Weller Temperature controlled Iron, a large
illuminated magnifier and a PCB holder. The Soldering Iron bits get replaced
every few weeks . . . 'cause they are on for 8 hours+ per day and simply
erode away. The circular fluorescent tubes in the magnifiers get replaced at
6 month intervals or when they start to flicker . . . . BUT the PCB holders
never get replaced . . . because they don't use them!!!

Please KAT2 Auto ATU kit turn up this week . . . . I have itchy fingers!

Steve/G4MJW
K2 - 2408
http://www.skylites.freeserve.co.uk