[Elecraft] K3 VFO A knob grip removal

[Tom Hammond]

Mike:

At 08:03 03/29/2008, you wrote:
>I have found that my VFO A knob is loose and I suspect I need to tighten the
>front-panel nut. It wiggles from side-to-side excessively. To do this I need
>to remove the rubber grip. I have seen the procedure in the operator's
>manual using my fingernails but this approach isn't going to work. Perhaps
>the grip becomes stiff with age (one month). Short of cutting it off and
>ordering a replacement grip what can I do? I don't know how I would cut it
>off by the way. I might need to get a whole new knob and rubber grip; of
>course I still would need to find a way to remove the knob but I at least
>could use some tools to remove it in that case.
>
>I tried some gentle warming with hot air directed on the knob, maybe I
>should get more aggressive with this approach. I removed the grip once when
>I first built the K3 in order to adjust friction so I do understand the
>procedure offered in the manual. It was difficult at that time but doable.

I've had my (Field Test) K3 since JUNE '07, and the rubber ring still comes
off just as readily today as it did when I received the rig.

Try to use a fingernail (at the back edge of the ring, NOT at the back
edge of the KNOB itself) to slide the ring forward just a small amount,
then repeat this at several other points around the ring. Once you have
accomplished this, removing the ring the rest of the way should be a snap.

FAILING THIS, use a WOODEN toothpick to slightly wedge between the FRONT edge
of the ring and the knob. Once you get a bit of the rubber 'wedged' up, deposit
one (two max.) drops of isopropyl (medicine chest) alcohol in between the
ring and the knob. Repeat at a couple more spots around the knob. The alcohol
acts as a great lubricant and should allow the ring to slide off readily,
while the alcohol will evaporate quickly leaving no residue.

73,

Tom   N0SS