When writing and validating the kit assembly procedures, I restrict myself only to the basic hand tools recommended by the design engineers. The objective is to avoid customers having to go out and buy additional tools that are not really needed. If I find that I cannot do a particular step with those tools I bring it up to Wayne and the other engineers who decide on an alternative. Sometimes that is to require a new tool. For example, we went through that over adding the requirement for a temperature-controlled, ESD-safe soldering iron some years back. The K2 and other early kits had no such requirement but as more sensitive components were used, Wayne specified that we add it to the tools requirement.
On the other hand, there are times we have specifically said NOT to use a special tool. A while back we had a lot of damaged parts because builders were using electric screwdrivers that had no torque control or which had the torque set too high, so Wayne had me say NOT to use them, preferring hand pressure instead. Actually we do provide torque spec's in one case; the mounting nut for the transformer in the KPA500. That nut must work against a Belleville washer that acts as a spring. The objective is to apply the right pressure to the washer (55 inch pounds) without permanently deforming it. But, even in that case, the engineers came up with a workable alternative to avoid builders having to go out and buy a torque wrench. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of David Woolley Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 6:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PA Transistors Maintenance in K2 As far as I can tell, no torque settings are given for any of the fasteners, wouldn't it be an idea to provide those, for people who do have suitable tools. Generally there are just warnings not to over-tighten. On 28/10/17 20:24, Mel Farrer wrote: > If the people at Elecraft have done their job and mounted the transistor properly with the correct torque on the mounting hardware procedure, no additional maintainance is required. -- David Woolley K2 06123 ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [email protected]
