K3 VFO A knob grip removal

[Mike Scott-7]

I have found that my VFO A knob is loose and I suspect I need to tighten the
front-panel nut. It wiggles from side-to-side excessively. To do this I need
to remove the rubber grip. I have seen the procedure in the operator's
manual using my fingernails but this approach isn't going to work. Perhaps
the grip becomes stiff with age (one month). Short of cutting it off and
ordering a replacement grip what can I do? I don't know how I would cut it
off by the way. I might need to get a whole new knob and rubber grip; of
course I still would need to find a way to remove the knob but I at least
could use some tools to remove it in that case.

I tried some gentle warming with hot air directed on the knob, maybe I
should get more aggressive with this approach. I removed the grip once when
I first built the K3 in order to adjust friction so I do understand the
procedure offered in the manual. It was difficult at that time but doable.

Mike Scott - AE6WA
Tarzana, CA (DM04 / near LA)
K3-100 #508/ KX1  #1311


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[M0XDF]

It certainly hasn't become stiff after 3 months on my K3.
not sure why fingernail won't work for you?
I can just put both thumbs on the front of the knob at about 10-to-2  
and put 2 fingers from each hand 'over' the know and us my nails to  
gently pull the rubber grip forward. As I do that I can move my  
fingers futher over the rubber and it gets easier too.

How about a plastic knife or wooden implement - a lolly-pop stick we'd  
say, you might say popsicle (if I understand the item correctly),  
perhaps a gentle prizing around the rubbish at the back?

I'm guessing you didn't build the kit otherwise you would know how it  
went on and how easy it actually is to remove.
Take a look at the on-line assembly manual if you haven't got one to  
see.
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
--
The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.
-Moliere, actor and playwright (1622-1673)

On 29 Mar 2008, at 13:03, Mike Scott wrote:

> I have found that my VFO A knob is loose and I suspect I need to  
> tighten the
> front-panel nut. It wiggles from side-to-side excessively. To do  
> this I need
> to remove the rubber grip. I have seen the procedure in the operator's
> manual using my fingernails but this approach isn't going to work.  
> Perhaps
> the grip becomes stiff with age (one month). Short of cutting it off  
> and
> ordering a replacement grip what can I do? I don't know how I would  
> cut it
> off by the way. I might need to get a whole new knob and rubber  
> grip; of
> course I still would need to find a way to remove the knob but I at  
> least
> could use some tools to remove it in that case.
>
> I tried some gentle warming with hot air directed on the knob, maybe I
> should get more aggressive with this approach. I removed the grip  
> once when
> I first built the K3 in order to adjust friction so I do understand  
> the
> procedure offered in the manual. It was difficult at that time but  
> doable.
>
> Mike Scott - AE6WA
> Tarzana, CA (DM04 / near LA)
> K3-100 #508/ KX1  #1311
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
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[AD6XY]

Don't cut it off. If it will not come loose, work out where the hole is for the grub screw and carefully make some holes in the grip at the same place. Figure 45 in the assembly manual shows where the screw hold is relative to the dimple.

Mike

Mike Scott-7 wrote

I have found that my VFO A knob is loose and I suspect I need to tighten the
front-panel nut. It wiggles from side-to-side excessively. To do this I need
to remove the rubber grip. I have seen the procedure in the operator's
manual using my fingernails but this approach isn't going to work. Perhaps
the grip becomes stiff with age (one month). Short of cutting it off and
ordering a replacement grip what can I do? I don't know how I would cut it
off by the way. I might need to get a whole new knob and rubber grip; of
course I still would need to find a way to remove the knob but I at least
could use some tools to remove it in that case.

I tried some gentle warming with hot air directed on the knob, maybe I
should get more aggressive with this approach. I removed the grip once when
I first built the K3 in order to adjust friction so I do understand the
procedure offered in the manual. It was difficult at that time but doable.

Mike Scott - AE6WA
Tarzana, CA (DM04 / near LA)
K3-100 #508/ KX1  #1311


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[Tom Hammond-2]

Mike:

At 08:03 03/29/2008, you wrote:

>I have found that my VFO A knob is loose and I suspect I need to tighten the
>front-panel nut. It wiggles from side-to-side excessively. To do this I need
>to remove the rubber grip. I have seen the procedure in the operator's
>manual using my fingernails but this approach isn't going to work. Perhaps
>the grip becomes stiff with age (one month). Short of cutting it off and
>ordering a replacement grip what can I do? I don't know how I would cut it
>off by the way. I might need to get a whole new knob and rubber grip; of
>course I still would need to find a way to remove the knob but I at least
>could use some tools to remove it in that case.
>
>I tried some gentle warming with hot air directed on the knob, maybe I
>should get more aggressive with this approach. I removed the grip once when
>I first built the K3 in order to adjust friction so I do understand the
>procedure offered in the manual. It was difficult at that time but doable.

I've had my (Field Test) K3 since JUNE '07, and the rubber ring still comes
off just as readily today as it did when I received the rig.

Try to use a fingernail (at the back edge of the ring, NOT at the back
edge of the KNOB itself) to slide the ring forward just a small amount,
then repeat this at several other points around the ring. Once you have
accomplished this, removing the ring the rest of the way should be a snap.

FAILING THIS, use a WOODEN toothpick to slightly wedge between the FRONT edge
of the ring and the knob. Once you get a bit of the rubber 'wedged' up, deposit
one (two max.) drops of isopropyl (medicine chest) alcohol in between the
ring and the knob. Repeat at a couple more spots around the knob. The alcohol
acts as a great lubricant and should allow the ring to slide off readily,
while the alcohol will evaporate quickly leaving no residue.

73,

Tom   N0SS

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