[Elecraft] KX1 construction questions

[Mike WA8BXN]

I would especially recomment item 2. Things do get a bit close in there for
one. Great tool to have in general. Radio shack used to have a nice pair for
well under $10, I don't see them at their web site any more. Looks like it
may have been replaced by one that also strips wire for around $10, but its
hard to tell from the picture. A decent temperature controlled iron is in
general a very nice thing to have. What you have will probably work but if
you do a lot of experimenting and will be building other kits in the future,
you might want to get a new iron now rather than later. 
73 - Mike WA8BXN
 
 
-------Original Message-------
 
From: Paul Huff
Date: 03/11/06 10:39:23
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KX1 construction questions
 
Hello everybody,
 
My KX1 has just arrived and I am hoping to have construction completed in
time
for good-weather field operations. Before I start building I would
appreciate
any and all opinions on the following questions:
 
1. Elecraft recommends an ESD-safe temperature controlled soldering station.
I
have a simple Radio Shack 25-watt soldering iron that I have successfully
used
for all of my previous kits, including a TenTec Tkit 1320, Wilderness Radio
SST40, and an Elecraft K1. Have any of you built the KX1 with a similar iron
or
is the upgrade really needed?
 
2. Elecraft also recommends flush-cutting diagonal cutters. I currently have
a
pair of miniature cutters. They are not flush-cutting, but they can probably
get within 1/16”. Are the spacing tolerances that crucial?
 
3. I have never used a conductive wrist strap on my other projects and have
done fine. Do I really need to wear one for the KX1?
 
4. If any of the above tools are really needed, do you have suggestions on
economical sources for purchasing them?
 
Thanks in advance for your input.
 
73
Paul – N8XMS
 
 
 
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