[Elecraft] Things I would do differently when I next build a K2

[Rod Ai7NN]

Bob, et.al.

On 1/12/07, Bob 'bz' Zinn <N5BZ at chem.lsu.edu> wrote:
> ...
> 1) I would buy at least 4 different colors of 'nail polish' to use in
> color coding those little brown monolytic capacitors (and others) that
> 'look alike'.
> I would sort the 102, 103 and any other groups of capacitors that
> 'look alike', using a magnifying glass.  As I was separating them, I
> would put a distinguishing dot of nail polish on top of the capacitor so
...
>
> 2) I would buy colored pencils in the same colors and mark the colors on
> the layout drawings in the manual! I would mark the inventory sections
...
>
> 3) I would place dots of colored nail polish, on the circuit board, in
> the appropriate places.
>

IMHO all this taken together could lead to more problems. Consider
what might happen if the wrong color dot was used on the wrong value
part and/or PCB location. Just separate the parts into small
containers, I use those small bathroom Dixie cups, grab the part when
called out, double check it's value. Then, __before__ soldering check
one last time value and placement (It's at this point I check off the
part in the manual). Few steps, lessor chance for error FWIW.

> 4) I would use a small piece of perf board and mount it in a handy vice.
> and use it to 'guage' the lead length to 'pre cut' the leads on most
>

Bending the leads over the shank of a small screwdriver works pretty
well and is a lot faster. I use a tool with a shank DIA of about 1/10"
or so, maybe a little smaller.


> 7) I would triple check to make sure everything was correct before

AGREED, always a good idea. Works with wood project too, measure 3
times, cut once...

..
73, Rod Ai7NN  --single speeding and more to 60--