[Elecraft] K3/100 kit

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Doug, N6TQS wrote:

It is possible to assemble the K3 with the tools specified, and it's not
that hard, so no one should be put off by the discussions here.

-----------------------------------------

I help Wayne by writing many of the Elecraft kit assembly procedures,
including the K3 Kit Assembly manuals.

Every step of every procedure is tested on the bench using the actual parts
you will get, thinking carefully about how someone approaching it for the
first time might react or what questions you may have. In the case of the
K3, Wayne asked for many illustrations showing exactly what you will be
doing. We chose photographs as the most accurate, information-rich way of
doing that. 

In developing and testing the procedures, I use ONLY those tools listed in
the manual. If it's not on the list of recommended tools, it's not on the
bench.

If I think something is too hard to do using those tools, I work with Wayne
to find a different way to do it or add the necessary tool to the list,
always using only the tools one would normally expect any Ham who tinkers
with gear to have, and listing each tool in the manual. We try to keep that
list as short as possible to avoid builders having to buy more tools.

Sometimes we find that builders have difficulty with some step, or someone
suggests a better way to do something. That's why I keep an eye on this
reflector and on the support e-mail messages. That's where many of the
errata items you find with your manuals comes from. 

Now, when I'm doing something else that involves disassembling a rigs, I'll
use whatever I like best, like a magnetized screwdriver. But that's only
after being certain the procedure can be done using only tools listed in the
manual. 
 

Ron AC7AC