[Elecraft] Rusting screws

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

Hi Mike,

We're going to look seriously at the SS screws for all products.

We've actually been using the current black oxide steel type of screw 
for the external screws since we started the company with the K2. These 
are the same type of screw used by Alpha amps and a number of other ham 
manufacturers.( I just got off the phone earlier today with Alpha 
confirming this.)

While receiving occasional reports of rust from tropical and extremely 
humid areas, most users have not reported any problems. As an example, I 
live 1 mile from the ocean here in CA, and the screws on my 12+ year old 
K2, my K3, KX1, K1 etc are all pristine. We created the K3 SS screwkit 
for the K3 as a special kit for dxpeditioners etc who were operating in 
extreme conditions. It consists of all of the exterior screws on the K3 
(not just the 4-40 x 3/16 screws) and was bought by us in low volumes, 
hence the higher price. We're probably breaking even on these after 
kitting, order entry etc. We're certainly not getting rich selling the 
SS screw kits. :-)

Also, the rust seen on extreme dxpeditions was restricted just to the 
exterior screws. We haven't seen any serious corrosion with the interior 
screws.

That said, the screw corrosion thread here has prompted us to revisit 
this and to look at phasing in SS screws across the whole product line. 
It is certainly happening in more cases than we, our you, would like to 
see. We are actively looking at sources right now and I'll report back 
to the list as we get something defined, both for new kits and for mod 
kits to existing rigs. This is a pretty big project to change it all 
over. We'll make sure to keep the cost on the SS screw mod kits very 
low. Our goal is to make sure there is nothing standing in the way of 
the K2, and or other products, being perceived as high quality products.

Also, in the near term, we'll replace any of the existing exterior 
screws with the same type at no cost for corrosion. Just email 
parts at elecraft.com and let them know which screws you need and the qty etc.

73, Eric   WA6HHQ

www.elecraft.com


On 12/9/2011 7:14 AM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:
> Thanks.
>
> I was curious if the screw kit Elecraft provides is just for cover screws.
>
> They are working on a SS kit for the KPA 500 too.
>
> The cost for 100 screws has shown there is no reason other than profit
> not to include SS hardware with the kits from the start.
>
> Mike W0MU
>
> W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net
>
>
> On 12/9/2011 5:28 AM, Phil&  Debbie Salas wrote:
>> FWIW - I bought #4x1/4" SS black-oxide covered screws from McMaster Carr.
>> Price is $3.91/100.  Part number 96640A054.  I use them on my K3 and KPA500.
>>
>> Phil - AD5X
>>
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