[Elecraft] KPA 500

[Jack Smith]

  In small quantities, boxes of 100, I pay about 3.5 cents each for 4-40 
1/4 inch stainless steel (18-8) pan head screws used in my kits. Similar 
zinc plated steel screws are 1.2 cents each, for a difference of 2.3 cents.

In a kit with 100 of these or similar screws, the cost difference would 
be thus $2.30. If I were purchasing these in 10,000 lots, prices would, 
of course, be less.

All the hardware I use in kits is stainless steel. The integral gasket 
head 4-40 x 5/8" stainless steel screws in the outdoor Z1501D active 
antenna (needed for weatherproofing) are 60 cents each, but if properly 
installed are leak proof.

Jack
www.cliftonlaboratories.com


On 10/19/2010 8:51 AM, Bob Naumann wrote:
> Blame whomever you want, but this economy is to blame for a lot of this.
>
> Companies are not willing to invest in inventory not being able to know what
> the future business climate is going to be like. Things like stainless steel
> hardware are in short supply and very expensive.
>
> 73,
>
> Bob W5OV
>
> P.S. My K3's screws don't have any rust and I've had it for almost 2 years.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Sam Morgan
> Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 7:24 AM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA 500
>
> makes sense to me
> maybe 1-3% of your targeted market
> lives in an environment that is so wet
> lets add $20.00 to the price of our produce
> for the other 97% of buyers......
>
> that's the kind of marketing savvy that could bankrupted a company
>
>
> GB&  73
> K5OAI
> Sam Morgan
>
> On 10/19/2010 7:08 AM, James Sarte wrote:
>> Sorry, but that sounds more like nickel and diming to me.  For the amount
> of
>> money we spend on these rigs, I had hoped that Elecraft would have
> provided
>> replacement stainless screws for free.  If a manufacturer knows that
> there's
>> a problem with a product, wouldn't you want them to correct it without
>> charging you?  Just my 2 cents...
>>
>> 73 de James K2QI
>>
>> On Tue, Oct 19, 2010 at 7:26 AM, Johnny Siu<vr2xmc at yahoo.com.hk>   wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Ian,
>>>
>>> I am very sure that Elecraft is clever in choosing both packing and
>>> construction
>>> materials for their radio gears
>>>
>>> For example, the screws of K3 rust so easily that they now give you the
>>> option
>>> to spend US$19.9 to replace them with stainless steel screws.
>>>
>>> For a radio at the price range of effectively over $2,000, you are given
>>> the
>>> chance to option for better screws.
>>>
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Johnny VR2XMC
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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