Terry, I would suggest you purchase a #1 Phillips screwdriver. That along with your ESD safe work area and your DMM will be all that is needed - yes, you will need a power supply - use 13.8 volts (or up to 15 volts), and the power needs a coaxial 2.1mm plug - center positive, and a dummy load is always a good thing to have available.
You can use the torque settings you have stated, but "wrist-tight" is usually good enough. If you are using power screwdrivers, then torque limiting settings would be required. I would not recommend any kind of thread-lock or thermal compound other than what is provided by Elecraft. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/29/2012 12:36 AM, Terry Domae 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 > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
