[Elecraft] Elecraft Construction Questions

[Don Wilhelm]

Terry,

I would suggest you purchase a #1 Phillips screwdriver.  That along with 
your ESD safe work area and your DMM will be all that is needed - yes, 
you will need a power supply - use 13.8 volts (or up to 15 volts), and 
the power needs a coaxial 2.1mm plug - center positive, and a dummy load 
is always a good thing to have available.

You can use the torque settings you have stated, but "wrist-tight" is 
usually good enough.  If you are using power screwdrivers, then torque 
limiting settings would be required.

I would not recommend any kind of thread-lock or thermal compound other 
than what is provided by Elecraft.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/29/2012 12:36 AM, Terry Domae wrote:
> This is a question for those experienced building Elecraft kits  ...
> I'm waiting for my first Elecraft kit, a kx3, and I was thinking I should
> be prepared when it arrives.
>
> I looked around the Elecraft website, and didn't see any specific assembly
> practices.
> I read a few of the assembly manuals (for kits like the k2 and k3) and some
> soldering techniques.
>
> 1. is pre-applied thread-lock (i.e., vibratite) recommended or not? How
> about thermal compound?
>
>     Are there clearly identified fasteners that require minimal resistive
> connections, thermal connections, etc.
>
> 2. are there recommended torque settings for fasteners?
>
>     I typically use torque limiting drivers that are set as follows for
> metal fasteners:
>
>     2-56 threads = 2 in-lbs
>     4-40 threads = 3 to 5 in-lbs
>     6-32 threads = 6 to 10 in-lbs
>     8-32 threads = 15 to 20 in-lbs
>     10-32 threads = 25 to 30 in-lbs
>
>     ok? not ok?
>
> 3. any recommendations for exposed contacts?
>
>     Are cleaners like Deoxit&  Deoxit Shield recommended to prevent
> intermittent contact failures?
>     Or, are all the contacts cleaned, and we just need to take care not to
> touch the pads and pins so as not to contaminate them.
>
> 4. how about any cleaning solvents required?
>
>     IPA? others?
>
> 5. I'm assuming a good ESD bench or service mat with wrist strap is
> required.
>
> 6. I'm also assuming some reasonable test equipment is also required -
>     Maybe power supply, dmm, dummy load, wattmeter.
>     how about an RF Sweep generator? O'Scope? SpecA? laptop, serial/usb
> cables?
>
> 7. Tools -  Drivers (phillips, slotted, hex, torqx, nut, ...), pliers
> (various), tweezers,
>     small wrenches, heat gun (for shrink sleeve)? soldering station - ?,
> compressed air?
>
> Anything else?
>
> Finally, I apologize if any (or all) these topics have been discussed
> before.
>
> Regards - Terry
>