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Elecraft Kit Assembly

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K9MA

Elecraft Kit Assembly

When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying
to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered
assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little
plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other
OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there
were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the
KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been glad to pay an
extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.

73,

Scott K9MA

--
Scott K9MA

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Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

Yup, I still have mine from back in the late 60’s as a novice and use it every time I build a kit!

Jim / W6JHB

> On Dec 2, 2020, at 12:35 PM, K9MA <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
>
> 73,
>
> Scott K9MA
>
> --
> Scott K9MA
>
> [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Ron Manfredi

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

Probably one of Heath's greatest 'inventions.' I also have one or two
and they do come in handy.

Enjoy the new amp!

73, Ron WA2EIO

On 12/2/2020 3:35 PM, K9MA wrote:

> When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating
> trying to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I
> remembered assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided
> a little plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of
> you other OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox,
> and there were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex
> nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been
> glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
>
> 73,
>
> Scott K9MA
>

KENT TRIMBLE

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

That's been suggested to Elecraft many times over the past 21 years.

Wonder if anyone still makes them.

My three sleep in their own bin!

73,

Kent K9ZTV

On 12/2/2020 2:35 PM, K9MA wrote:

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Joe K2UF

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

I use mine all the time for 4-40 nuts. It must be 50+ years old and it has
seen better days. Getting a little loose and fuzzy on the end. Tried
finding them on the internet machine. I have used small stiff tubing for
various size nuts but not the same thing.

Good luck,

73 Joe K2UF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of K9MA
Sent: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 12:36 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Kit Assembly

When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying to
get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered assembling
Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little plastic tube thingy
for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other OF's remember them. They
were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there were two of them! (They're
still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already
had them, I'd have been glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were
included with the kit.

73,

Scott K9MA

--
Scott K9MA

[hidden email]

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Don Wilhelm

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by KENT TRIMBLE

Kent,

I bought some on Ebay about 3 years ago.
The old ones from my Heathkit days were split and no longer held the nuts.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/2/2020 3:53 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:

> That's been suggested to Elecraft many times over the past 21 years.
>
> Wonder if anyone still makes them.
>
> My three sleep in their own bin!
>
> 73,
>
> Kent K9ZTV
>

Drew AF2Z

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

I can't speak to the KAT500 kit but for other Elecraft kits I have found
that magnetized screwdrivers and/or nut drivers really help you breeze
through the assembly.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 12/02/20 15:35, K9MA wrote:

> When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying
> to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered
> assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little
> plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other
> OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there
> were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the
> KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been glad to pay an
> extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
>
> 73,
>
> Scott K9MA
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

On 12/2/2020 12:35 PM, K9MA wrote:
> I looked in the toolbox, and there were two of them! (They're still
> red.)

Me too.

Given all the hex nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had
> them, I'd have been glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were
> included with the kit.

Me too!

73, Jim K9YC

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

Looks like Jenson Tools sells them
Look Here https://www.jensentools.com/menda-35120-four-way-nut-starter/p/758ie351

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 03:37:55 PM EST, K9MA <[hidden email]> wrote:

When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying
to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered
assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little
plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other
OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there
were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the
KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been glad to pay an
extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.

73,

Scott K9MA

--
Scott K9MA

[hidden email]

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Phil Kane-2

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

On 12/2/2020 1:56 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:

> Looks like Jenson Tools sells them
> Look Here https://www.jensentools.com/menda-35120-four-way-nut-starter/p/758ie351

You made me do it! I couldn't find mine from my Heathkit days, so I
ordered two - one to use, one to lose. :)

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

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K9MA

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

And a whole $2.00!

That's pretty much what the Heathkit one looks like, only red.

73,
Scott K9MA

On 12/2/2020 3:56 PM, Harry Yingst wrote:

> Looks like Jenson Tools sells them
>
> Look Here
> https://www.jensentools.com/menda-35120-four-way-nut-starter/p/758ie351
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 03:37:55 PM EST, K9MA
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying
> to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered
> assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little
> plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other
> OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there
> were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the
> KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been glad to pay an
> extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
>
> 73,
>
> Scott K9MA
>
> --
> Scott K9MA
>
> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

Joe K2UF

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

And $9.00 shipping + tax

73, joe K2UF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of K9MA
Sent: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 3:57 PM
To: Harry Yingst; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Kit Assembly

And a whole $2.00!

That's pretty much what the Heathkit one looks like, only red.

73,
Scott K9MA

On 12/2/2020 3:56 PM, Harry Yingst wrote:

> Looks like Jenson Tools sells them
>
> Look Here
> https://www.jensentools.com/menda-35120-four-way-nut-starter/p/758ie35
> 1
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 03:37:55 PM EST, K9MA
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating
> trying to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I
> remembered assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided
> a little plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of
> you other OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox,
> and there were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex
> nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been
> glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
>
> 73,
>
> Scott K9MA
>
> --
> Scott K9MA
>
> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

--
Scott K9MA

[hidden email]

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by K9MA

If you search for "Menda 35120" you will find other vendors selling them
Mouser, Newark< Digi-Key, etc

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, 07:16:02 PM EST, Joe K2UF <[hidden email]> wrote:

And $9.00 shipping + tax

73, joe K2UF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of K9MA
Sent: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 3:57 PM
To: Harry Yingst; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Kit Assembly

And a whole $2.00!

That's pretty much what the Heathkit one looks like, only red.

73,
Scott K9MA

On 12/2/2020 3:56 PM, Harry Yingst wrote:

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by KENT TRIMBLE

A reasonable alternative can be made with a pencil or dowel stock and some non-adhesive shrink tubing.

—
Rob
N9DTT

Sent with ProtonMail Secure Email.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
On Wednesday, December 2, 2020 2:53 PM, KENT TRIMBLE <[hidden email]> wrote:

> That's been suggested to Elecraft many times over the past 21 years.
>
> Wonder if anyone still makes them.
>
> My three sleep in their own bin!
>
> 73,
>
> Kent K9ZTV
>
> On 12/2/2020 2:35 PM, K9MA wrote:
>
> > When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating
> > trying to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I
> > remembered assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided
> > a little plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of
> > you other OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox,
> > and there were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex
> > nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been
> > glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
> > 73,
> > Scott K9MA
>
> --
>
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com
>
> Elecraft mailing list
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Nr4c

Re: Elecraft Kit Assembly

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Made one formyK3 build from piece of shrink-tubing.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Dec 2, 2020, at 3:41 PM, James Bennett via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Yup, I still have mine from back in the late 60’s as a novice and use it every time I build a kit!
>
> Jim / W6JHB
>
>> On Dec 2, 2020, at 12:35 PM, K9MA <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating trying to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I remembered assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided a little plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of you other OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, and there were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Scott K9MA
>>
>> --
>> Scott K9MA
>>
>> [hidden email]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]