[Elecraft] Demagnetizing Tools?

[Bob Nielsen]

On Wed, Jan 21, 2004 at 04:22:10PM -0600, Don Brown wrote:
> Hi Tom
> 
> I always placed the tool next to the case of the gun. You will find
> the field is very strong from the internal transformer along each
> side of the gun. I don't think the field would be strong enough in
> the loop. If it was things would stick to the tip when the gun is on
> and I have never noticed this. We would do this in the TV business
> back in the 60's to magnetize screwdrivers to retrieve a dropped
> screw and then demagnetize the screwdriver when not needed. I have
> even used a Weller gun to degauss a picture tube on a color TV when I
> forgot my degauss coil. New TV's do not need this now because they
> have a coil built in that is activated each time it is turned on.
> TV's back then were mostly hand wired to large terminal strips so
> every TV repairman carried a Weller gun in his tool box. The little
> irons we use today just would not cut it in the days of sets with
> 20-25 tubes and current draws of 1/2 to 3/4 of a kilowatt and needing
> service every 6 months to 1 year.



It's inside the same transformer turn whether in the loop or next to the
gun, so I doubt there would be much difference (although it's been a
long time since I studied this stuff).

Bob, N7XY