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Handle replacement on K3

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Jon Zaimes AA1K

Handle replacement on K3

Took my K3 along on vacation and this morning when I went to set it up
again at home the handle was loose on one end -- one of the nuts had
fallen off the bolt inside the case. So now the nut and washer are
floating around inside the case.

Anyone know if I can just take the side panel off to fix this or do I
need to take the top off first?

And if this loosening up is common (In the past year since building this
I've only used the handle maybe twice) is there a permanent fix, such as
a locking nut?

73/Jon AA1K
K3 no. 3021
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Julian, G4ILO

Re: Handle replacement on K3

I can't think of a reason why you can't just take the side panel off, but it might make a difference if you have a KRX3 or a KXV144 inside, which I don't.

Yours is the first post I can recall reporting this. If you are concerned about it happening again you could try putting a blob of paint on the thread of the bolt before retightening it, or even some special stuff made for precisely that purpoise (over here it is called Loctite.)

Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote

Took my K3 along on vacation and this morning when I went to set it up
again at home the handle was loose on one end -- one of the nuts had
fallen off the bolt inside the case. So now the nut and washer are
floating around inside the case.

Anyone know if I can just take the side panel off to fix this or do I
need to take the top off first?

And if this loosening up is common (In the past year since building this
I've only used the handle maybe twice) is there a permanent fix, such as
a locking nut?

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

Ed K1EP

Re: Handle replacement on K3

In reply to this post by Jon Zaimes AA1K

Yes, removing the cover will give you access to both screws on the
handle. I just confirmed that, as the cover on mine is off :) I
have used my handle a lot over the last three years without any
incident. Probably just wasn't tightened properly the first time or
the lock washer was left off inadvertently.

At 8/22/2010 07:00 AM, Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:

> Took my K3 along on vacation and this morning when I went to set it up
>again at home the handle was loose on one end -- one of the nuts had
>fallen off the bolt inside the case. So now the nut and washer are
>floating around inside the case.
>
>Anyone know if I can just take the side panel off to fix this or do I
>need to take the top off first?
>
>And if this loosening up is common (In the past year since building this
>I've only used the handle maybe twice) is there a permanent fix, such as
>a locking nut?
>
>73/Jon AA1K
>K3 no. 3021
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Jon Zaimes AA1K

Re: Handle replacement on K3

In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO

Thanks for the tip.

The side panel did come off OK by itself, and the nut quickly dropped
out onto the work table. But no sign of the washer! I'm sure it had one
on when I built the radio, so I'm shaking the radio and searching for it
but so far to no avail. I assume it got stuck somewhere inside. Took the
top off too but still haven't spotted it. Perhaps it fell out one of the
air vents on the top during recent transit but I doubt it.

73/Jon AA1K

On 8/22/2010 07:24 AM, Julian, G4ILO wrote:

> I can't think of a reason why you can't just take the side panel off, but it
> might make a difference if you have a KRX3 or a KXV144 inside, which I
> don't.
>
> Yours is the first post I can recall reporting this. If you are concerned
> about it happening again you could try putting a blob of paint on the thread
> of the bolt before retightening it, or even some special stuff made for
> precisely that purpoise (over here it is called Loctite.)
>
>
> Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:
>> Took my K3 along on vacation and this morning when I went to set it up
>> again at home the handle was loose on one end -- one of the nuts had
>> fallen off the bolt inside the case. So now the nut and washer are
>> floating around inside the case.
>>
>> Anyone know if I can just take the side panel off to fix this or do I
>> need to take the top off first?
>>
>> And if this loosening up is common (In the past year since building this
>> I've only used the handle maybe twice) is there a permanent fix, such as
>> a locking nut?
>>
>>
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>

Jim Wiley-2

Re: Handle replacement on K3

What I use for nut-locking compound is plain old fingernail polish. Any
color will work, but I use red because it is easy to see.

It can be used two ways - to secure nuts and screws, and as an indicator
that unauthorized persons have been inside the box - sometimes called
"warranty paint". Slather the polish liberally over the screw and
threads, as well as over the interface area where the screw head or nut
meets the panel. Use the applicator brush to work the paint into the
threads.

Fingernail polish dries in minutes, perhaps even seconds depending on
environmental factors, is inexpensive, and will break away with only a
little extra torque on the fastener if you really want it out of the
way. Perhaps the XYL even has some she no longer wants, and if so, you
won't have to buy any.

All this presumes that the nut or screw being secured is not normally
visible. If it is, clear polish is available, and works the same way.
One bottle lasts for years. Keep it away from plastics unless you don't
mind the fact that fingernail polish uses acetone, or an acetone like
chemical, as a base, and will dissolve or at least soften some
plastics. As always, try it on an inconspicuous area first.

- Jim, KL7CC

Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:

Thanks for the tip.

The side panel did come off OK by itself, and the nut quickly dropped
out onto the work table.

<snip>

On 8/22/2010 07:24 AM, Julian, G4ILO wrote

Yours is the first post I can recall reporting this. If you are
concerned about it happening again you could try putting a blob of paint
on the thread of the bolt before retightening it, or even some special
stuff made for precisely that purpoise (over here it is called Loctite.)

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Bill W4ZV

Re: Handle replacement on K3

In reply to this post by Jon Zaimes AA1K

Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote

The side panel did come off OK by itself, and the nut quickly dropped
out onto the work table. But no sign of the washer! I'm sure it had one
on when I built the radio, so I'm shaking the radio and searching for it
but so far to no avail. I assume it got stuck somewhere inside. Took the
top off too but still haven't spotted it. Perhaps it fell out one of the
air vents on the top during recent transit but I doubt it.

Check the speaker magnet. If you turned the unit upside down it might have landed there (happened to me once). I'd not turn the K3 on until you find that washer!

73, Bill

Jon Zaimes AA1K

Re: Handle replacement on K3

In reply to this post by Ed K1EP

Thanks all for the tips.

I took the front bottom cover off and the lock washer finally dropped out.

73/Jon AA1K

On 8/22/2010 07:28 AM, Ed K1EP wrote:

> Yes, removing the cover will give you access to both screws on the
> handle. I just confirmed that, as the cover on mine is off :) I
> have used my handle a lot over the last three years without any
> incident. Probably just wasn't tightened properly the first time or
> the lock washer was left off inadvertently.
>
>
> At 8/22/2010 07:00 AM, Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:
>> Took my K3 along on vacation and this morning when I went to set it up
>> again at home the handle was loose on one end -- one of the nuts had
>> fallen off the bolt inside the case. So now the nut and washer are
>> floating around inside the case.
>>
>> Anyone know if I can just take the side panel off to fix this or do I
>> need to take the top off first?
>>
>> And if this loosening up is common (In the past year since building this
>> I've only used the handle maybe twice) is there a permanent fix, such as
>> a locking nut?
>>
>> 73/Jon AA1K
>> K3 no. 3021
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
>

Eugene Balinski

Re: Handle replacement on K3

In reply to this post by Jon Zaimes AA1K

If the washer is indeed in there, Murphy's law says that it
will have wedged itself in the place that it can do the
most harm : - )

73
K1NR

On Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:48:53 -0400
Jon Zaimes AA1K <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Thanks for the tip.
>
> The side panel did come off OK by itself, and the nut
> quickly dropped
> out onto the work table. But no sign of the washer! I'm
> sure it had one
> on when I built the radio, so I'm shaking the radio and
> searching for it
> but so far to no avail. I assume it got stuck somewhere
> inside. Took the
> top off too but still haven't spotted it. Perhaps it fell
> out one of the
> air vents on the top during recent transit but I doubt
> it.
>
> 73/Jon AA1K
>
> On 8/22/2010 07:24 AM, Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> > I can't think of a reason why you can't just take the
> side panel off, but it
> > might make a difference if you have a KRX3 or a KXV144
> inside, which I
> > don't.
> >
> > Yours is the first post I can recall reporting this. If
> you are concerned
> > about it happening again you could try putting a blob
> of paint on the thread
> > of the bolt before retightening it, or even some
> special stuff made for
> > precisely that purpoise (over here it is called
> Loctite.)
> >
> >
> > Jon Zaimes AA1K wrote:
> >> Took my K3 along on vacation and this morning when
> I went to set it up
> >> again at home the handle was loose on one end -- one
> of the nuts had
> >> fallen off the bolt inside the case. So now the nut
> and washer are
> >> floating around inside the case.
> >>
> >> Anyone know if I can just take the side panel off to
> fix this or do I
> >> need to take the top off first?
> >>
> >> And if this loosening up is common (In the past year
> since building this
> >> I've only used the handle maybe twice) is there a
> permanent fix, such as
> >> a locking nut?
> >>
> >>
> >
> > -----
> > Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222.
> > * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> > * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> > * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
> >
>

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> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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Dan

Re: Handle replacement on K3

In reply to this post by Jon Zaimes AA1K

Although, properly designed and tightened fasteners should not come apart when you don't want them to, in practice any screw can come loose at any time. Whenever I put together any screw or bolt that I do not expect to take apart routinely, I use Loctite or fingernail polish to 'lock' it in place. When I built the K3 (#4515), I used that on a few screws/nuts, specifically, the handle, the feet, the support bail and the ANT1 and ANT2 hold down screws/nuts. I wouldn't go out of my way to use the stuff, but if you have any problem, just use that. I did not use them on any connector that needed good electrical connections or that I expect to take apart from time to time, e.g. covers, side panels, stand-offs.

Best way is to put a drop on the threads INSIDE the nut and then attach it and tighten it, then place a drop on the exposed screw/bolt threads. If you are concerned about electrical connection, then only place it on the exposed screw/bolt threads after tightening it. For the handle, feet and bail, electrical connectivity are not a concern and you will never expect to need to remove these items. IF you DO need to remove them, they can be removed with only a moderate amount of extra effort and it does NOT destroy the threads.

To be thorough, there are two different types of Loctite. The usual is designed as described above and is essentially fingernail polish. The other type is a much stronger type for where a near permenant bond is required. This may destroy the nut/bolt if removed, altho some (epoxy) types are designed to be removeable after heating to 400 degrees.

Dan NM3A