[Elecraft] cleaning pins

Sat Aug 30 00:08:00 2003

Hi Jerry:

You are correct there, pal. Your warnings are well worth heeding by users.

I used my DremelTool and ground a sharp 'screwdriver' tip on my cleaning 
pin and can kinda twist in as it goes into the nozzle. This tends to cut 
thru (as would a drill bit) as it goes. But the srill bit in a hand-held 
pin vise would, I think) be a much better choice yet.

Of course, the real answer is periodic cleaning BEFORE the gunk has a 
chance to accumulate to the point that drastic measures must be taken... 
heheh! Been in both positions and the latter is preferable.

73,

Tom   N0SS

At 08:56 PM 8/29/03, [email protected] wrote:
>The Hakko cleaning pins, if you can get them, are expensive, bend easily,
>and can cause finger burns even when held by the coil...Been there, done
>that...When the tips become clogged with carbon from the enamel that is
>burned off the magnet wire, they can be VERY hard to clean...Pieces of
>music wire will get hot and have to be held with pliers and FORCED into a
>tip that doesn't want to give up...This can result in a slip that drives
>a sharp wire deep into ones fingers...Again, been there...
>
>I find that a drill bit is the best tool to use to clear out this burned
>in carbon because as you turn the drill with a pin vise, it BORES into
>the carbon and extracts it up its flutes, removing it...The Haako
>cleaning wires and the music wire do not remove the carbon, they push it
>ahead into the gun...YMV...
>
>Jerry, wa2dkg
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