[Elecraft] K3: peeling paint and countersunk screw holes

[Don Wilhelm]

Ken,

The paint is tough - it is a powder coating.  I would say that if the 
inside of the countersink area were scratched by the screw, either the 
screw was overtightened or the screwhead had a slight burr on it.

I really cannnot conceive of a condition where the scraped paint area 
would show with the screw in place - which makes it a non-concern for 
me.  If the scraped area is outside the area covered by the screw, then 
either the screw was inserted improperly or it was tightened enough to 
distort the metal of the enclosure (and that is too much).  The screws 
should be quite snug - not loose, but not beefed down so much as to 
distort the metal (and possibly strip screw threads).

The metal on my K3 shows a little bare paint if I remove the screws - 
and I would expect that just from normal abrasion between the screw head 
and the cover, but with the screws in place, no bare spots are visible.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ken Kopp wrote:
> It seems to me that if the smooth surface of the
> tapered portion of the screw "scratched" paint
> off the screw was over-tightened.  It's "tough"
> paint, too!  Epoxy based?
>
> Ditto for the pan heads like are used on the K2.
>
> I don't think this subject relates to paint on the metal-to-metal 
> contact areas inside the cabinet.
>
> 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
>