K3 Panel Screws - I'm Not Alone

[Ron - PE8E]

Hi John, Phil and others,

..... Maybe they'll be offered by Elecraft .....

Elecraft does offer replacement screws, allthough not (yet) as a
"complete" set. Look on the "Spare parts and Mod Kits" order page under
"Miscellaneous". You find "FLTSCRKT" with 10 screws for a dollar. It says
"for K1" but they are the same as the K3. I ordered a set some time ago to
replace some on my K3. The pan-heads are there too.

73 de PE8E, Ron
K3/100 #00201
K3/10  #01201

> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:17:19 -0800
> From: John Sims <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Panel Screws - I'm Not Alone

> Yet again, from tonight's reflector digest:
>
>> So - Now after two mod processes plus installation of the KRX3, my
cabinet
>> screws are starting to show a little wear.  Maybe Elecraft should offer
a small kit that just includes replacement cabinet screws (top-and
side-cover
>> especially) for those of us who keep taking our K3s apart.
>> Phil - AD5X
> Here, here!  Those screws heads are too malleable, a few of yours are
showing wear and tear.  I wish I'd ordered a full set of them -- they're
cheap.  Maybe they'll be offered by Elecraft.
>
> They did give me better side panel heat sink screws (two) for the K2.
Aptos finally realized the initial pair weren't good for repeated
assembly and disassembly.
>




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[AD6XY]

I support the provision of more of the hardware off the shelf.

It is needed as Elecraft use such rare and difficult to obtain threads. UNC/UNF is reasonable for a USA market, where they can probably be obtained at any hardware shop. They are very difficult to get in small quantities if you live outside the USA.

Mike

[John Sims-2]

Fellow Elecrafters--

Ha!  I finally did it -- I sent a message (replacement screws) to the
entire list rather than to the owner of the K3 I'm working on.  So, now
the world knows my comments on screws.

Many thanks to Ron, PE8E, for letting me know about "FLTSCRKT" -- I'll
pick that up in my next order.  There are just two or three that I'd
like to replace right now.

After submitting a slightly critical comment about the screws, I'd like
to compensate by mentioning my success with several K3 mods and the
KRX3.  A local friend has a K3 but lacks the eyesight for close work, so
I'm his Elecraft tech.  It keeps my skills up, plus it puts a K3 on the
desk beside my K2 for a few days.  Thus far I've installed the following
K3 mods:

1. Amp pull-up resistors:  easily installed and K3-to-amplifier
communications are fine.

2. LINE OUT and speaker amplifier mods:  much easier than expected.  The
original RFC 47 was easily removed intact, the holes were cleared, and
the new RFC 47 fits nicely on the bottom of the board with its leads
placed in the old RFC 47 holes. For the LINE OUT mod, removing the KIO3
board is much easier the second time around, it's just a matter of
following instructions.

3. Front panel circuit mod:  very easy Pin 7-to-through-hole mod.

4. R91 mod:  it wasn't necessary for K3 S/N 718; the existing resistor
reads 22 ohms.

5. KRX3 assembly and installation.

Mods 2, 3, and 4 were done while the K3 was apart for the KRX3 work.  
The KRX3 construction and installation were successful.  My only
comments for Elecraft and builders are 1) the necessity of a small Allen
wrench for removing the VFO B encoder (p. 18 -- I had the proper wrench
left over from my K2 construction) and 2) another reminder to check the
KRX3 PCB nubs before completely installing it inside the bottom shield
-- I had to file a few nubs for a proper fit.

Many thanks to N6XG for his helpful e-mails during the KRX3 work.

K3 assembly/disassembly:  thus far the rig doesn't show any wear and
tear, just a few less-than-fresh screw heads.  The process definitely
gets easier with practice.

Now I see there's another KIO3 mod coming up -- the K3 might remain on
my desk a little while longer until I can complete that work.

Finally, don't forget Elecraft offers not one but two great 100w rigs --
I remain one of the die-hard K2 fans; mine keeps plugging along very
well for contesting and DXing.  See you on-the-air with it during RTTY
Roundup and again from KH6-land next year.

73,

John, N7ON K2 #5023
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