[Elecraft] K3 Kit Wisdom

[Gary K9GS]

Elecraft needs to develop a kit-building jumpsuit.  They could use 
static dissipative cloth like we have for our smocks at work.

Maybe have Eric and Wayne's faces silk-screened on the back.

An added option would be a Batman-like utility belt that has a wrist 
strap and the correct screwdrivers.


On 5/4/2014 8:55 AM, Jerome Sodus wrote:
> To be on the safe side, wear only cotton clothing; no wool or synthetic
> clothes.
> Cotton will be least likely to pick-up any charges.
> 73 Jerry KM3K   KX3 #6088
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don
> Wilhelm
> Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2014 8:28 PM
> To: John, 9H5G; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Kit Wisdom
>
> John,
>
> As for the advice about screwdrivers, yes, get yourself a quality, new
> #1 phillips.  I like the ones from Ace Hardware with the blue handles
> (Pro Series), and I like the 8 inch length, just because I learned to
> use that length many, many years ago - pick whatever length you are
> comfortable with,but do buy a quality screwdriver from a reputable
> supplier - a bargain bin screwdriver tip is usually not cut with
> adequate precision.  If you can see shiny spots on the corners of the
> tip, it is not adequate for the task, it will slip and strip your
> screwheads.  My method of judging a phillips tip driver is if it does
> not hold a 3/16 inch phillips head screw when it is held horizontally,
> it is time for that screwdriver to be replaced.
>
> I take issue with the suggestion to use magnetic holders and the insert
> bits.  I prefer not to have any magnetic tools at my electronics
> workbench, they attract stray bits of cutoff component leads and other
> things stick to the tools.  YMMV on that one - take your pick.  I use
> several magnetic holders to great benefit in the woodworking shop, but
> never at the electronics workbench.
>
> As for anti-static, yes take measures - a wrist strap is a minimum, if
> you have an anti-static mat at the workbench, work on that surface,
> especially when handling unmounted boards.  Do NOT work on a completely
> conducting surface such as a bare metal desktop or cookie sheet, or
> aluminum foil or whatever - fully conductive surfaces can also create
> static damage when they contact that fully conductive surface and are a
> safety hazard if there are live power sources anywhere near.  Newspapers
> misted with a spray of water in addition to the wrist strap can be more
> effective than a fully conducting surface.  If you have no other
> alternative, cut open one of the black anti-static bags that the boards
> are packed in, connect it to a 1 megohm resistor with a clip lead, and
> ground the far end of the 1 megohm resistor to the center screw on an AC
> receptacle cover plate (your wrist strap can ground to the same place).
>
> As has been said about the egg cartons, stay away from most plastic
> containers for sorting because plastics and foam stuff attracts a static
> charge.  If you need to sort the hardware into the various sizes, use
> metal tins (Altoids tins?) or paper cups.  If you are adept at spotting
> a screw size and length 'by eye', you can just dump all the hardware
> into a large box and pick the right ones from there.  Those having long
> term experience with woodworking measurements or metalworking will have
> that ability.
> Make such judgements based on what you know about your abilities.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 5/3/2014 3:51 PM, John, 9H5G wrote:
>> Gentlemen,
>>
>> Thank you for a fantastic list of hints and tips so far!
>>
>> As Gary, KI4GGX, pointed out I should have mentioned the options that I
> have coming. It's a K3/100 with a KRX3 and a handful of filters. Simple but
> very effective, I'm sure.
>>
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-- 


73,

Gary K9GS

Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org

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