I had already started on this idea. Unfortunately, the seam is so small that the blade just isn't penetrating. It's almost like it was a friction fit to begin with. The case appears to be 20 ga (~0.04") tin-plated steel. It just has no give to it at all. When I started, I was cutting through solder, but now I think I'm just skating across steel. I'll keep at it. Maybe I'm closer to getting it open than I thought.
Ed > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:21:16 -0800 > From: Dan Rae <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Wenzel Oscillator Repair > To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement > <[email protected]> > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Ed Palmer wrote: > >> > Does anyone >> > have any hints & tips on how to open or repair one of these soldered-can >> > oscillators? >> > Ed, I have opened and repaired several sealed oscillators, OCXOs and > TCXOs, as well as crystal filters, with some success. In fact the > Isotemp OCXO in my homebrew GPS standard is still going strong after I > replaced the TL431 regulator in that ten years ago. > > What I do is to use a box cutter type knife on the seams, side by side, > repeatedly scraping out as much of the solder as possible. After a > while the seam can usually be opened up enough to break any remaining > solder towards the corners. I think the fact that this avoids any > prolonged heating is probably the main advantage of using this method. > It takes time, but so far I have not found one that wouldn't open in the > end... > > Do I have to say: be careful and always work away from your fingers? > > It works for me at any rate, and by not using heat you avoid any extra > damage :^) _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
