Hi Bob:
The only possible weakness I have found is in the chassis screw/ 2-D
fastener interface. My shack is literally a cubbyhole room built in my
garage. It is only climate controlled when I'm operating, so it sees high
humidity and heat regularly (100F at 100% humidity.yes, Houstonians have
gills). After 6 months, I'm finding the chassis screws are getting stuck in
the 2-D mounts from corrosion or galling between the aluminum mounts and the
steel (I guess) screws. I now have 2 screws that I've not been able to
remove before striping out the heads. Any suggestions (both for screw
removal and long term protection)?
Long ago, I found that the ONLY case screws which I really TIGHTEN down are
those I don't intend to remove often. My shack is always climate controlled
and although I don't SEE any deterioration of the screws, I HAVE certainly
found that the screws do NOT want to be removed if you really tighten them
down. Nowadays, I just 'snug' down the screws I remove frequently. They
stay tight, and won't voluntarily back themselves out, yet they can be
readily removed by the right-sized screwdriver.
One other thing I've found is the absolute need to use the properly sized
Phillips screwdriver. We Americans tend to use Phillips screwdrivers which
are generally too small for the head of the screw we're working with. I use
a #1 Phillips screwdriver in the Elecraft screws and it fits nicely.
For what little it might be worth, here's how I determine which size
Phillips screwdriver to use - If I put the tip of the screwdriver into the
screw head and if I can rotate the screwdriver (in the head of the screw)
AT ALL, the screwdriver tip is too small...! If I cannot get the tip of the
screwdriver to fit SNUGGLY into the screw head WITH ADEQUATE DEPTH, then
it's too large. The right size tip has NO SLACK SPACE when rotated and fits
deeply into the screw head.
WATCH OUT TOO... some American Phillips screwdrivers are made with too much
'nose' on them... the heavily-pointed tip won't allow the blade to drop
down into the screw head deeply enough for you to obtain a snug fit... this
is a prescription for a rounded-off screw head... and eventually a damaged
screwdriver as well.
73,
Tom N0SS
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