[Elecraft] 5119 is alive!

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Bob,

Congratulations on your 2nd K2.

On the screw thing, yes steel screws in aluminum can be difficult in some
circumstances - the aluminum conforms very well to the steel screw threads.
The best preventative measure I have found is to put a drop of oil (NOT
WD40!!! - it is NOT a long term lubricant and will cause additional galling)
on the screw threads before mating the parts - a small bit of light grease
would do just as well.  Another product that will work great, but is a bit
more messy is the anti-sieze compound that is normally used when installing
spark plugs - it is designed specifically for the steel/aluminum siezure
problem when aluminum heads first appeared in automobiles.

As for getting the screws out - use a GOOD #1 Phillips screwdriver (look for
nice sharp corners on the edges of the tip, if the corners look shiny, get a
good new one), and use a lot of force straight down onto the screwhead
before attempting to rotate it - sometimes a drop of oil (WD40 is OK for
this part) right under the screwhead with several minutes of wait time after
that treatment will help.  As for choice in screwdrivers, the bargain
counter types just don't cut it, this is one place where being a 'frugal
ham' is not desirable IMHO, buy good tools, they are cheaper in the long
run.

If the screw breaks, the best recourse is to remove the 2-D connector and
order a new one from Elecraft along with some chassis screws if you don't
have spares.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> The only possible weakness I have found is in the chassis screw/ 2-D
> fastener interface.  My shack is literally a cubbyhole room built in my
> garage.  It is only climate controlled when I'm operating, so it sees high
> humidity and heat regularly (100F at 100% humidity.yes, Houstonians have
> gills).  After 6 months, I'm finding the chassis screws are
> getting stuck in
> the 2-D mounts from corrosion or galling between the aluminum
> mounts and the
> steel (I guess) screws.  I now have 2 screws that I've not been able to
> remove before striping out the heads.  Any suggestions (both for screw
> removal and long term protection)?
>
>
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