[Elecraft] Elecraft's HexKey

[Ken Kopp]

This occurred to me immediately of course, but the Bencher folks
couldn't assure me that the bare steel base would be suitable for
chrome plating.  They said the reason they don't offer a chrome
version is the reject rate for chromed hex bases.  I don't know if 
this is due to the finish of the steel that appeared in the chrome
finish or not.

I didn't ask the obvious ... how is the Hex Key base different
from the (chrome) bases of their famous square-based paddles?
Perhaps a different supplier and/or material.  Brass?

Along the same line ... if someone has a Hex Key, please look
closely at he top surface of the large square post and see if you
can see file-like marks in the metal that appear in/through the 
chrome ... especially at each corner.  Mine has these, but they 
are fine enough that they most likely wouldn't show if the post 
was painted like the base.

Still, it -IS- a fine paddle and a joy to use.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
k0pp at arrl.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Brian Lloyd 
To: Elecraft Reflector 
Sent: Thursday, 07 June, 2007 03:02
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft's HexKey


On Jun 6, 2007, at 5:55 PM, Ken Kopp wrote:

> I'm a long-time CW op (54 years) and agree it's about the best I've  
> ever used, too.  Attaching a house logo and adding a S/N is another  
> example of Elecraft's marketing savvy.  Mine's  S/N 290, FWIW.  (:-))
> No, there's no way to buy a chrome version, from either Elecraft or  
> Bencher, even at a "premium" price.

So, take it apart, strip the base, and take it to your local chrome- 
plating shop. Then you can attach S/N 0001 to it. :-)

73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com