[Elecraft] Cutting leads in tight places

[Don Wilhelm]

Lee,

I do not pre-trim the leads (but that is an excellent way to avoid the
problem), but in places where it is tight to get the cutters in, I bend the
lead over and point the cutter tips straight down toward the board to clip
the lead.  It is not quite flush cut, but it is close to the solder pad.

I think pre-trimming is a pain because the part usually falls out when the
board is flipped over to solder it in.  Resistors can be soldered on the
same side as the component easily, but a capacitor is more difficult to
solder on the same side as the component unless it is mounted a bit above
the board (try that with an electrolytic <G>).

73,
Don W3FPR


> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Lee H
> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 5:11 AM
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] Cutting leads in tight places
>
>
> 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.
>
> Any ideas.
>
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