[Hallicrafters] Re:Kwikettes

[David Hallam]

I guess I am the one whole started this whole discussion.

A Kwikettes were a soldering aid made by Sprague for the replacement of
capacitors and other like parts without unsoldering the leads from the tie
points.  The Kwikettes were a small diameter coil (about 3/64" ID) made of
Copperweld wire.  This coil was about 1/4" or 3/8" long and had a coating of
rosin flux and solder.  To replace a part, you just cut the lead of the part
to replace to some convenient length, likewise the leads of the replacement
part.  The two ends were inserted into the Kwikettes coil and heat from the
soldering iron was applied.  Quick and neat.  There is no need to use a
solder sucker or try to unwrap ends from a tie point you can't reach, etc.
You can replace a capacitor in a few minutes as compared to a half an hour
or more trying to dig it out.

The Kwikettes coils were made from Copperweld wire (copper clad steel),
which was standard material for capacitor and resistor lead wire.  The steel
wire core retained its shape even with the heat required to melt the solder.

I guess quigs was another name for them.  I wish we could get someone to
start making them again, or I wish I had known about them years ago.  I
would have bought a bushel basket full of them.

If anyone has perfected a method for making them, please let me know.

David
KC2JD