Front Panel Woes
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Hello all:
I had just finished up all the components for the front panel assembly, and was preparing for the "Front Panel Final Assembly." After continued frustration, I decided this wasn't a good night to work on my K2. Problem 1: The double-backed tape for the green plastic bargraph filter is simply impossible to install. When I opened the serial number envelope to locate the bargraph filter and tape, I only saw one small, rectangular, brown "something" that I guessed was the tape. I then realized it was folded in two. Simple enough, right? I unfolded it and saw the two tape strips. After some struggle, I managed to release one side of the brown paper, and went to position it on the bargraph filter. But then I noticed it was not long enough; i.e., the manual illustration shows the tape going parallel to the long side of the filter, edge to edge. But it was too short to reach from side to side. OK, I thought, so what? It doesn't take much to hold this little piece of plastic in place. So I mounted it on the filter, and then mounted the other strip on the filter. Now for the fun part. No matter how hard I tried, I could not remove the OTHER piece of brown paper; i.e. the back side, to expose the other side of the adhesive (that would attach to the inside of the panel). Even using a powerful magnifier and razor blade, it just couldn't be done. Am I missing something here? Sigh. OK, I'll just skip to the clear plastic LCD bezel, and deal with this later, I thought.... Problem 2: The manual calls for the use of four 2-56 screws (stainless steel) to mount the bezel. No problem. I located the screws, lined up the bezel, got my tiny screwdriver, and proceeded. But the screw wouldn't start in the hole. "Could it not be threaded," I thought?! Sure enough, none of the four holes is threaded - am I to cut threads in a steel panel with these tiny screws??!! I could try it, I suppose, but there's a very good chance they'll simply strip out the threads. Maybe the moon's in a bad phase; maybe there are astronomical forces conspiring against me, but for the first time in 29 pages of instruction I've come across two steps that are seemingly impossible. My heretofore high confidence in Elecraft guidance is on the wane... So, what gives, guys? Am I missing something obvious,or should I just take the night off and pop open a cold one? 73, Louis _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi Louis,
I can't offer advice with Problem 1 as I never used the green filter in my K2, but regarding Problem 2: The front panel is aluminum, not steel, and yes, I'm pretty sure you cut the threads with the 2-56 screws. It's a bit difficult to get them started, and - to me at least - a bit anxiety-inducing since you don't want to have the screwdriver slip and scratch the acrylic bezel. I've found that using a screwdriver that fits the 2-56 screws exactly does help a great deal to control them. But once you get them started, they do seem to go in the rest of the way all right. 73 de Stephanie va3uxb K2#5311 - K1#2132 On 14-Feb-2006, at 21.21.34, Louis C. LaCour, Jr. wrote: > Hello all: > > I had just finished up all the components for the front panel > assembly, and > was preparing for the "Front Panel Final Assembly." After continued > frustration, I decided this wasn't a good night to work on my K2. > > Problem 1: > > The double-backed tape for the green plastic bargraph filter is simply > impossible to install. When I opened the serial number envelope to > locate > the bargraph filter and tape, I only saw one small, rectangular, brown > "something" that I guessed was the tape. I then realized it was > folded in > two. Simple enough, right? I unfolded it and saw the two tape > strips. > After some struggle, I managed to release one side of the brown > paper, and > went to position it on the bargraph filter. But then I noticed it > was not > long enough; i.e., the manual illustration shows the tape going > parallel to > the long side of the filter, edge to edge. But it was too short to > reach > from side to side. OK, I thought, so what? It doesn't take much > to hold > this little piece of plastic in place. So I mounted it on the > filter, and > then mounted the other strip on the filter. Now for the fun part. > > No matter how hard I tried, I could not remove the OTHER piece of > brown > paper; i.e. the back side, to expose the other side of the adhesive > (that > would attach to the inside of the panel). Even using a powerful > magnifier > and razor blade, it just couldn't be done. Am I missing something > here? > Sigh. OK, I'll just skip to the clear plastic LCD bezel, and deal > with this > later, I thought.... > > Problem 2: > > The manual calls for the use of four 2-56 screws (stainless steel) > to mount > the bezel. No problem. I located the screws, lined up the bezel, > got my > tiny screwdriver, and proceeded. But the screw wouldn't start in > the hole. > "Could it not be threaded," I thought?! Sure enough, none of the > four holes > is threaded - am I to cut threads in a steel panel with these tiny > screws??!! I could try it, I suppose, but there's a very good chance > they'll simply strip out the threads. > > Maybe the moon's in a bad phase; maybe there are astronomical forces > conspiring against me, but for the first time in 29 pages of > instruction > I've come across two steps that are seemingly impossible. My > heretofore > high confidence in Elecraft guidance is on the wane... > > So, what gives, guys? Am I missing something obvious,or should I > just take > the night off and pop open a cold one? > > 73, Louis > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi all,
Louis, if you have to tap the threads with the screw, do it without the bezel in place. That way the bezel can't get scratched. I can't remember (7 years ago), whether mine were threaded. Stve, W2MY -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.7/259 - Release Date: 2/13/2006 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Louis C. LaCour, Jr.
Hi
The double stick tape can be a problem and if you mess it up you can just use some Scotch double stick tape you can get a an office supply store. You can even just use regular Scotch Magic tape to tape it to the front panel. The method I use for the supplied tape is first break the tape on the score line into two pieces then remove the white paper first and press the tape and brown paper onto the green filter. I usually make a small about 1/4 inch 45 degree cut on one corner of the filter to clear the front bezel screw. Then lifting the brown paper off of the green filter should leave the double stick tape in place on the filter. Finally I carefully align the filter with the cut out in the front panel and press it down. I then use a Q-tip to remove any finger prints from both sides of the filter. The front panels are usually taped for the 2-56 screws but if they are not the screws have a taper on them so they will cut the threads into the panel if required. Thread them into the panel first to cut the threads using a screwdriver that fits properly, I use a large jewelers screwdriver. Be careful not to over tighten the screws or you will strip the threads you just made. Then remove the screws and install the Plexiglas bezel. Again do not over tighten or you will crack the bezel or strip the threads. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Louis C. LaCour, Jr." <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:21 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Front Panel Woes Hello all: I had just finished up all the components for the front panel assembly, and was preparing for the "Front Panel Final Assembly." After continued frustration, I decided this wasn't a good night to work on my K2. Problem 1: The double-backed tape for the green plastic bargraph filter is simply impossible to install. When I opened the serial number envelope to locate the bargraph filter and tape, I only saw one small, rectangular, brown "something" that I guessed was the tape. I then realized it was folded in two. Simple enough, right? I unfolded it and saw the two tape strips. After some struggle, I managed to release one side of the brown paper, and went to position it on the bargraph filter. But then I noticed it was not long enough; i.e., the manual illustration shows the tape going parallel to the long side of the filter, edge to edge. But it was too short to reach from side to side. OK, I thought, so what? It doesn't take much to hold this little piece of plastic in place. So I mounted it on the filter, and then mounted the other strip on the filter. Now for the fun part. No matter how hard I tried, I could not remove the OTHER piece of brown paper; i.e. the back side, to expose the other side of the adhesive (that would attach to the inside of the panel). Even using a powerful magnifier and razor blade, it just couldn't be done. Am I missing something here? Sigh. OK, I'll just skip to the clear plastic LCD bezel, and deal with this later, I thought.... Problem 2: The manual calls for the use of four 2-56 screws (stainless steel) to mount the bezel. No problem. I located the screws, lined up the bezel, got my tiny screwdriver, and proceeded. But the screw wouldn't start in the hole. "Could it not be threaded," I thought?! Sure enough, none of the four holes is threaded - am I to cut threads in a steel panel with these tiny screws??!! I could try it, I suppose, but there's a very good chance they'll simply strip out the threads. Maybe the moon's in a bad phase; maybe there are astronomical forces conspiring against me, but for the first time in 29 pages of instruction I've come across two steps that are seemingly impossible. My heretofore high confidence in Elecraft guidance is on the wane... So, what gives, guys? Am I missing something obvious,or should I just take the night off and pop open a cold one? 73, Louis _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Louis C. LaCour, Jr.
Louis,
On the 'sticky tape' thing - just position the green stuff properly and secure with electrical tape. During Field Test of the K2 we had no double backed adhesive strip available, and I taped mine in place with black electrical tape - that was 5 years ago and it is still in fine shape - cut the tape so it laps onto the aluminum by a generous area, and keep it clear of the window area. Alternately, you could apply a bit if some other adhesive and stick it to the panel - just use it sparingly so it doesn't run into the viewing window area. As for the 2-56 holes, yes they are tapped, but there is likely a bit of the powdercoating material in the holes which will be cleared the first time the screws are threaded in. Try one without the plastic in place. or if you do have a 2-56 tap on hand, try using that (very gently) to cut away the powder coating. Should you find that you do have no threads in those holes, I suggest you contact Scott at Elecraft by phone or email [hidden email] to discuss whether or not you have a defective front panel - a rare occurrance, but not impossible, in all the K2s that I have assembled, I have encountered 2 bad enclosure parts, so such things can happen, but as I said, in my experience it is very rare. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > I had just finished up all the components for the front panel > assembly, and > was preparing for the "Front Panel Final Assembly." After continued > frustration, I decided this wasn't a good night to work on my K2. > > Problem 1: > > The double-backed tape for the green plastic bargraph filter is simply > impossible to install. When I opened the serial number envelope to locate > the bargraph filter and tape, I only saw one small, rectangular, brown > "something" that I guessed was the tape. I then realized it was folded in > two. Simple enough, right? I unfolded it and saw the two tape strips. > After some struggle, I managed to release one side of the brown paper, and > went to position it on the bargraph filter. But then I noticed it was not > long enough; i.e., the manual illustration shows the tape going > parallel to > the long side of the filter, edge to edge. But it was too short to reach > from side to side. OK, I thought, so what? It doesn't take much to hold > this little piece of plastic in place. So I mounted it on the filter, and > then mounted the other strip on the filter. Now for the fun part. > > No matter how hard I tried, I could not remove the OTHER piece of brown > paper; i.e. the back side, to expose the other side of the adhesive (that > would attach to the inside of the panel). Even using a powerful magnifier > and razor blade, it just couldn't be done. Am I missing something here? > Sigh. OK, I'll just skip to the clear plastic LCD bezel, and > deal with this > later, I thought.... > > Problem 2: > > The manual calls for the use of four 2-56 screws (stainless > steel) to mount > the bezel. No problem. I located the screws, lined up the bezel, got my > tiny screwdriver, and proceeded. But the screw wouldn't start in > the hole. > "Could it not be threaded," I thought?! Sure enough, none of the > four holes > is threaded - am I to cut threads in a steel panel with these tiny > screws??!! I could try it, I suppose, but there's a very good chance > they'll simply strip out the threads. > > Maybe the moon's in a bad phase; maybe there are astronomical forces > conspiring against me, but for the first time in 29 pages of instruction > I've come across two steps that are seemingly impossible. My heretofore > high confidence in Elecraft guidance is on the wane... > > So, what gives, guys? Am I missing something obvious,or should I > just take > the night off and pop open a cold one? > > 73, Louis > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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On 15-Feb-06, at 09.15 .15, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> As for the 2-56 holes, yes they are tapped, but there is likely a > bit of the > powdercoating material in the holes which will be cleared the first > time the > screws are threaded in. Really? In both my K1 and K2, I could have sworn they were not tapped. As you say though, maybe the threads were just full of the grey paint and I didn't notice. 73 de Stephanie va3uxb K2#5311 - K1#2132 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3
All:
Try running the screws in from the BACK SIDE... less chance of encountering the powder coating until the threads have already been engaged and thus, you'll 'chase' the rest of the coating out the front of the panel, rather than risk attempting to cut your own (new) threads. 73, Tom At 08:15 AM 2/15/2006, Don Wilhelm wrote: >As for the 2-56 holes, yes they are tapped, but there is likely a bit of the >powdercoating material in the holes which will be cleared the first time the >screws are threaded in. Try one without the plastic in place. or if you do >have a 2-56 tap on hand, try using that (very gently) to cut away the powder >coating. Should you find that you do have no threads in those holes, I >suggest you contact Scott at Elecraft by phone or email [hidden email] >to discuss whether or not you have a defective front panel - a rare >occurrance, but not impossible, in all the K2s that I have assembled, I have >encountered 2 bad enclosure parts, so such things can happen, but as I said, >in my experience it is very rare. > >73, >Don W3FPR > > > -----Original Message----- > > > > I had just finished up all the components for the front panel > > assembly, and > > was preparing for the "Front Panel Final Assembly." After continued > > frustration, I decided this wasn't a good night to work on my K2. > > > > Problem 1: > > > > The double-backed tape for the green plastic bargraph filter is simply > > impossible to install. When I opened the serial number envelope to locate > > the bargraph filter and tape, I only saw one small, rectangular, brown > > "something" that I guessed was the tape. I then realized it was folded in > > two. Simple enough, right? I unfolded it and saw the two tape strips. > > After some struggle, I managed to release one side of the brown paper, and > > went to position it on the bargraph filter. But then I noticed it was not > > long enough; i.e., the manual illustration shows the tape going > > parallel to > > the long side of the filter, edge to edge. But it was too short to reach > > from side to side. OK, I thought, so what? It doesn't take much to hold > > this little piece of plastic in place. So I mounted it on the filter, and > > then mounted the other strip on the filter. Now for the fun part. > > > > No matter how hard I tried, I could not remove the OTHER piece of brown > > paper; i.e. the back side, to expose the other side of the adhesive (that > > would attach to the inside of the panel). Even using a powerful magnifier > > and razor blade, it just couldn't be done. Am I missing something here? > > Sigh. OK, I'll just skip to the clear plastic LCD bezel, and > > deal with this > > later, I thought.... > > > > Problem 2: > > > > The manual calls for the use of four 2-56 screws (stainless > > steel) to mount > > the bezel. No problem. I located the screws, lined up the bezel, got my > > tiny screwdriver, and proceeded. But the screw wouldn't start in > > the hole. > > "Could it not be threaded," I thought?! Sure enough, none of the > > four holes > > is threaded - am I to cut threads in a steel panel with these tiny > > screws??!! I could try it, I suppose, but there's a very good chance > > they'll simply strip out the threads. > > > > Maybe the moon's in a bad phase; maybe there are astronomical forces > > conspiring against me, but for the first time in 29 pages of instruction > > I've come across two steps that are seemingly impossible. My heretofore > > high confidence in Elecraft guidance is on the wane... > > > > So, what gives, guys? Am I missing something obvious,or should I > > just take > > the night off and pop open a cold one? > > > > 73, Louis > > > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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