[Elecraft]Bending component wires

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

I agree with David and use the same method to avoid instant or delayed 
stress failure.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Cutter" <d.cutter at ntlworld.com>
To: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <rondec at easystreet.com>; <N5BZ+ecr at chem.lsu.edu>; 
<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2007 7:29 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft]Bending component wires


>I advise against bending the wires of axial components against the 
>component body; this can lead to stress fractures at the joint depending 
>how much force you use.   I use fine needle nose pliers to hold the 
>component wire near the body, then bend the wire sharp against the pliers. 
>It's a small but easy and consistent way to avoid a stress failure which 
>might take a while to appear.  Having said this, modern components *may* 
>not be susceptible to this failure mode: I'm just in the habit these 50 
>years.
>
> I remember a colleague clipping wires near me and one flew into a power 
> supply I was working on causing a large flash and bang right under my 
> nose. A salutary lesson to all.
>
> David
> G3UNA