Repairing Circuit Boards - sort of OT

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I recently repaired a KIO3 board, replacing U1 to restore serial port
operation.  It worked, but in the course of doing the job it was
annoying to contend with the circuit board skittering across my work
surface.  Now I have another KIO3 to repair, and I'd like to avoid the
hassle.  What do you folks use to hold a circuit board in place flat on
your work surface?

--
73, Pete N4ZR

The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000


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[M0XDF]

Anti-static mat!
--
It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they
kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.
-Voltaire, philosopher (1694-1778)

On 19 Jul 2011, at 11:28, Pete Smith wrote:

> I recently repaired a KIO3 board, replacing U1 to restore serial port
> operation.  It worked, but in the course of doing the job it was
> annoying to contend with the circuit board skittering across my work
> surface.  Now I have another KIO3 to repair, and I'd like to avoid the
> hassle.  What do you folks use to hold a circuit board in place flat on
> your work surface?
>
> --
> 73, Pete N4ZR
>
> The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

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[Fred Townsend]

In the factory we normally used 1/2" rubber mats (mildly conductive of
course). There are few boards that will be damaged if placed directly on the
mat. For those we used Panavise fixtures.  Google will show many kinds.

73

de Fred, AE6QL

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Pete Smith
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 3:28 AM
To: Elecraft List
Subject: [Elecraft] Repairing Circuit Boards - sort of OT

I recently repaired a KIO3 board, replacing U1 to restore serial port
operation.  It worked, but in the course of doing the job it was annoying to
contend with the circuit board skittering across my work surface.  Now I
have another KIO3 to repair, and I'd like to avoid the hassle.  What do you
folks use to hold a circuit board in place flat on your work surface?

--
73, Pete N4ZR

The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at
reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000


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[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

Pete,

I have not seen a K103 board but when working on a board assembly, most of
my homebrewed ones are populated by SMDs, I always add "legs" to both sides
of the board.  These "legs" are made from metal spacers - the type which has
a threaded insert at one end and a "screw" at the other end.  If necessary
one leg can be clamped in a small vise to stop any skittering.  The legs are
attached to the board using those holes which are to be used for mounting
the board, and at least one leg will make good contact with the board's
groundplane(s).

This method prevents the board (or its components) from rubbing on the work
surface, and one does not have to touch the board if it has to be turned
over during assembly/ repair.

73,

Geoff
GM4ESD


On July 19, 2011 at 11:28 Z, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:



>I recently repaired a KIO3 board, replacing U1 to restore serial port
> operation.  It worked, but in the course of doing the job it was
> annoying to contend with the circuit board skittering across my work
> surface.  Now I have another KIO3 to repair, and I'd like to avoid the
> hassle.  What do you folks use to hold a circuit board in place flat on
> your work surface?
>
> --
> 73, Pete N4ZR


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[gm3sek]

Pete Smith wrote:
>I recently repaired a KIO3 board, replacing U1 to restore serial port
>operation.  It worked, but in the course of doing the job it was
>annoying to contend with the circuit board skittering across my work
>surface.  Now I have another KIO3 to repair, and I'd like to avoid the
>hassle.  What do you folks use to hold a circuit board in place flat on
>your work surface?
>

For small boards I use a Panavise (clone) to hold the board firmly at a
convenient angle for soldering:

<http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/in-prac/best-of.htm#0809>

For ESD protection, the clip lead connects the circuit ground on the PC
board to the safety ground for the soldering iron, and also to an ESD
wrist strap.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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[Matt Zilmer]

PanaVise.  There are at least three kinds whose jaws are meant to hold
PCBAs.  For most of these, the jaw axis can be easily unlocked and
flipped 180 deg to present either component or solder side.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:28:23 -0400, you wrote:

>I recently repaired a KIO3 board, replacing U1 to restore serial port
>operation.  It worked, but in the course of doing the job it was
>annoying to contend with the circuit board skittering across my work
>surface.  Now I have another KIO3 to repair, and I'd like to avoid the
>hassle.  What do you folks use to hold a circuit board in place flat on
>your work surface?
______________________________________________________________
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