[Elecraft] Elecraft Construction Questions

[n5ge at n5ge.com]

Terry and All,

With regard to screw drivers; Phillips screw drivers are what you need to use.

Phillips screw drivers have a small flat point on them.  You have to look
closely to see that on the small ones.

Reed and Prince screw drivers, however are cut to a sharp point and look almost
the same as a Phillips.  The trouble with R&P screw drivers is that they wont
seat properly in the slots and if used on Phillips screw heads will strip them.
Many of the low priced screw driver sets have R&P screw drivers in them, so
beware and look at the end of the screwdriver before using it.  If it has a
sharp point it will strip a Phillips head screw.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member
Former aircraft assembler at Lockheed Fort Worth

"Only the white eyes would believe they could cut the top
off a blanket, sew it to the bottom and have a longer
blanket."

-- American Indian comment about Daylight Saving Time --


On Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:36:36 -0800, Terry Domae <terry.domae at gmail.com> 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
>
>ps: anyone know what power connector is used on the KX3?
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