[Elecraft] Holding Screws

[David Robertson]

Mike,
When I was in the Navy. We used  a dark clay like material that was designed to seal cables when they passed through stuffing tubes in bulkheads (walls) or decks (floors) we called it Monkey sh*t.
This stuff was really good in holding screws on the screwdriver.

Nowadays I just magnetize the screwdriver and no longer need the clay.

73
Dave KD1NAHello list members,
I found a trick for holding small screws on the end of the screwdriver until you can get them into a tight place and started.   A small amount of electrical connector black seal mastic or putty shaped on the end of the driver takes up the gap enough to hold the screw until you get it thru the hole and started.  Once pulled away, the putty stays on the screwdriver. 
Great for removing screws also.  Once in a while the mastic needs reshaped to the tip of the screwdriver to hold the screw securely.   It beats fingering the tiny screws into close spaces and hoping you dont drop it before you can get the screwdriver head on it. 
I was able to complete assembly on my K3/2170 today and didnt drop a single screw in the process, thanks to this method.  
Mike, AC5P  

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