[Elecraft] Cutting leads in tight places

[Tom Hammond]

Lee:

>I am progressing on my K2 project, I just finished the steps on page
>57 that had me solder several components  to the bottom side of the
>RF board.  My problem is getting my cutters into some of the tight
>places on the top of the board. I thought the hard part was over when
>I finished soldering without causing heat damage to near by
>components but I am finding it nearly impossible to trim the leads
>now. I have the recommended angle cutting tool but I still can't get
>down to board level with them to cut them anywhere near flush.

What I've had to do in a couple instances was to merely grab the 
exposed lead with a pair of needle-nosed pliers (actually a pair of 
hemostats) and then pull a little on the lead and rock it back ;n 
forth until it breaks AT the soldered  joint. Then I go back and 
re-flow (re-heat) the solder around the lead to ensure that I still 
have a solid connection.

So far, this has worked in all instances.

Another method is to pre-cut the leads to length before you solder.

73,

Tom   N0SS