Fw: Re: [Elecraft] Tools and construction

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Gary:

>Yesterday, AG4KU (Scott) recommended the Morse Express ceramic alignment 
>tool SET.  It looks very nice, but I got the single alignment tool from 
>the same place at the first of the year. I     still haven't gotten around 
>to putting my 3000+ K2/100 together,
>but still look forward to getting the time to do that!  Is there    any 
>adjustment that can't be done with the tool I already have? It has a 0.4 
>to 2mm tapered tip.  I realize it is more likely to break.

I have the set of these tools, and I usually wind up using a couple of the 
tools in order to have the one that 'FITS best. If you use a very narrow 
(widthwise) tip, there's a good chance that a balky adjustment might cause 
problems.

If this is a concern, I'd use a regular tuning tool, or a small-balde 
screwdriver to at least break loose any chance of the adjustment not 
wanting to turn on the first attempt. Once loosened, you'll have a better 
chance of using a very small-tipped tool on a previuosly balky control.

>Another question I have is about the "q-dope" that is also sold by Morse 
>Express.  Would this be helpful in affixing the first turn of
>wire to the core in winding toroids?  Also, I recall that a few months ago 
>"liquid insulation" was discussed as a neater substitute than electrical 
>tape under L33.  I was never able to find such a substance sold by any of 
>the major suppliers.  Would this "q-dope" do the job?

There is NO NEED whatsoever to 'secure' the turns of your toroidal cores. 
To my knowledge, Elecraft strongly recommends AGAINST any such efforts.

>Finally, for the many months that I've read the "reflector" and the 
>various methods offered to remove the enamel coating from the toroid wire, 
>I've always wondered whether a "precision wire stripper" would accomplish 
>this task more easily and cleaner than burning or sanding it 
>off.  Marshal's stripper goes down to 30 guage.

Save your $$$. Use the blobl method and be done with it! If you feel the 
need to spend money on a precision wire stripper, spend it on a Hakko 808 
desoldering tool which you can ALSO use for stripping/tinning the toroid 
leads. A MUCH wiser investment.

73,

Tom Hammond    N0SS