[Elecraft] To drill or not to drill, that is the question

[Stephen]

Gentlefolks,

	I did not explain myself very well in the previous post. What I did was to 
use a very small drill, with a diameter smaller that that of the hole, and 
twist it gently between my fingers. This was sufficient to remove enough of 
the solder to allow me to insert the component leads without damaging the 
through hole plating. I was lucky enough to find a small box of 50 or so PCB 
drills in different sizes, from very tiny through to about 2 mm at a stall at 
Dayton some years back for, I think, $10. 


	I only resorted to this approach because my Weller de soldering station, 
which i was given for free seems to have developed a fault and I had nothing 
else to hand. It is a Model DS 801, The symptom is that whilst the tip heats 
up, no matter what the temperature setting, it will not melt solder ;-(. The 
green LED flashes at about 1 Hz which is possibly a fault indication.  if 
anyone has a manual for one, or knows what the fault is i would be greatful 
for some assistance. 

	Of course the real answer is for me to pay more attention to the manual in 
the first place. ;-). It is a beautiful morning over here in Norfolk, 
England...do I melt more solder...or garden...that is the question.....
-- 
Stephen Farthing