[Hallicrafters] More on replacing caps

[Craig Roberts]

There are arguments to be made both for and against the "cut and splice" 
method of replacing components.

Generally, I like to strip the old components out altogether wherever 
possible.  It's partly for esthetic reasons, but there are practical 
benefits, as well.  Leaving a "stub" and soldering onto it sometimes 
causes the original joint at the lug or connector to be compromised 
since the heat from soldering the splice can travel to the original 
joint and loosen it. Old solder joints with aged, crystallized solder 
seem to be especially vulnerable to this problem.  Soldering a new 
component onto a freshly cleaned connector makes for a neat and secure 
connection every time. 

Cutting and splicing is certainly easier in many cases, however, and 
helps prevent damage to lugs and connectors.  Miniature tube sockets are 
especially fragile and the lugs can be easily broken unless gently dealt 
with.  But, they're about the only connection points that I've found to 
be problematical. I've soldered hundreds of lugs and broken, perhaps, 
four or five.  I use desoldering braid with a thin, well-tinned 
soldering iron tip and -- with patience -- have little trouble with 
stripping out components.  Of course, sometimes cutting and splicing is 
necessary when working in really tight quarters.  And it is the practice 
most often employed by the old radio repair techs since it saves a lot 
of time -- a valuable commodity to a person being paid by the job. 

When cutting and splicing, I would recommend making the connection 
between the new component lead and stub as mechanically secure as 
possible then use as little solder a possible on the joint.  This avoids 
excessive heat exposure "downstream" and prevents solder splashes that 
can cause hard-to-uncover short circuits. 

Well, enough pontificating.  Restoring these old radios can be a lot of 
fun, no matter what soldeing method you use.  Good luck!

73,

Craig
W3CRR