[Elecraft] FW: Handles and feet

[Harry Yingst]

Another Idea would be to cut some thin (1/2") spacers out of wood that would set in the desktop between the gear to separate it.
I run into the same issue as you since some of the gear does not have handles and feet on the sides (speakers, tuner, P3 etc)and  in the past I also had a piece of gear get a scratch on it, luckily it was on a piece I made so I could repaint it to match.




      From: Erik Basilier <ebasilier at cox.net>
 To: 'Clay Autery' <cautery at montac.com>; elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Saturday, April 22, 2017 12:35 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FW: Handles and feet
   
Clay wrote: " I am perfectly happy with the stock side panel protectors.
:-)"

Let me be more specific on why additional side panel protectors might be
desired. The standard side panel feet work great when the boxes of a K-line
are placed in the order shown in the ad's. However, when you go to a 2-radio
configuration for SO2R, you probably want the most often looked at, or
touched, front panels close together in the middle. The quick pace of SO2R
operations really demands the very best ergonomics that you can achieve. I
currently have the two transceivers in the middle for easy access to the
knobs, with the P3's immediately to the right and left of the two radios.
That means on the right hand side, the boxes are in the standard "K-line"
order, but on the left hand side, the transceiver handle is free to scratch
the neighboring P3. That is what actually happened, but it could have been a
speaker or other box getting scratched. With the two transceivers
side-by-side in the middle, the side feet of the left-hand radio are
positioned next to the handle of the right-hand radio, but they are thinner
than the handle, and there is the potential for the handle to scratch the
left-hand radio in spite of the feet. 

I realize that most people are not interested in dual-radio configurations,
but some may have their own reasons for placing their boxes in a unique
order. It seems to me that the handles could be redesigned so as to have no
sharp edges that can cause scratches, or even better, redesigned so at to
incorporate rubber bumpers. Also, the standard side panel feet could be made
slightly thicker (i.e. thicker than the handles) , and/or available as
add-on options for those who don't use the standard box ordering. Just an
idea, and I am not holding my breath. In the meantime, I may go with
removable stick-on feet, whether the common non-durable types or the better
quality ones suggested by Clay. (In his original suggestion it was not clear
to me that they were easily removable.) As to glue remaining after a cheap
rubber foot has fallen off, I have in the past been successful removing it
with denaturated alcohol, but the paint was left slightly dull. That was on
a "Fine Junk" box, and I would not be surprised it the high quality Elecraft
paint stands up much better. Goo Gone may be better, but I think the
dullness was caused by the glue reacting with the inferior paint, not the
alcohol, as surrounding areas touched by the alcohol did not become dull. 

Not lacking solutions here, just in the mindset of discussing ideals. My
comment was triggered by the image showing the KPA1500 handle. It was not
intended to detract from the fact that the KPA1500 comes so close to so many
of our wishes for the ideal legal power amplifier, including my own. I
really believe the KPA1500 fills a need, and that the price is reasonable
for what it is. For me it is not immediately affordable, but that is a
separate issue. Maybe one day ....

73,
Erik K7TV