Hi,

Had a look through Jaycar, RS compts, Mouser Aust, Alltronics etc today for a set of Alignment tools for these old radios .... plastic, hex ends etc. Not much .... read almost nothing .... on offer.

Am I looking in the wrong places??
Anyone point me to a Supplier??

Thanks,
Ian

G'Day Ian.
Wes components has a 10 piece trimming tool set.
they are ABS plastic, they aren't too bad, price is good, although on some trimmers, I had some issues, with the tool twisting in the slot, but they also sell the ceramic tools as well.

Cheers
Peter.

Thanks Peter,

I had forgotten about WES components. Just had a look and unfortunately the set on their web site doesn't include hexagon ends.

My specific need is for a hexagon end (100thou Flat to Flat) which will pass through the top Tuning slug so as to adjust a lower Tuning slug.

When I first saw this radio, I assumed that someone had unthinkingly wired components too close to the lower IF can tuning holes ... but no ... the Manual states that both IF slugs are to be tuned from the top.

Using a “homemade” special at the moment .... but the wife will eventually realise that one of her Mum’s knitting needles is missing ... and has a new funny end on it .....

Cheers,
Ian

Engineer Inc. of Japan makes a range of nice alignment tools. I have these on my shopping list:

http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/da72e.html

Many op shops have container of knitting needles. A good source of a short length of rod of a particular diameter, aluminium or plastic.

Some of the Hobby Shops also have Brass & Plastic rod. Sometimes I will turn down Chopsticks. Beware many of the plastic ones are too soft for their own good. I have actually brought that to the attention of at least one purveyor of parts & ended up making my own.

Thanks guys .... I was advised of another source yesterday ... GC electronics/components in USA ... they have been in the business for years and have several nice sets of Alignment tools. But expensive to buy and post ... for a set in which I may use only one end of one tool.

I already have Alignment tools ... complemented by my 'homemade' ones ... but the radio I am aligning at the moment requires both top and bottom slugs to be adjusted from the top. With a bit of careful 'moving' of components underneath the cans, I can get at the bottom aligning holes ... all bar 2 ....

A proper set of tools, correct sizes etc would be great.

Beware with a 5Y3 / #80 It is very convenient to turn a radio with bottom trimmers on its side. Do that with a 5Y3 and have it sideways, there is then every likely hood of a spectacular self destruct. (Doubters read valve data sheet).

Marc

Out this afternoon, so I dropped into an Altronics Store. First time for me.

They have Alignment tools .... and yes, the piece I need is in the pack and fits my Slugs ..... needed to 'shave' a small mould-press daggy piece off .... but otherwise great. Good value at approx $5.

Slightly off topic....

Yes Marc, you have to be very careful with directly heated valves and side mounting. Mostly you shouldn't do it. Although I seem to remember reading that it was OK for certain orientations.

ATN 7 in Sydney discovered this to their chagrin when they updated their '61 vintage AWA transmitter at the start of colour. Original vision modulator bottle wasn't up to the task so they had to fit a bigger one. Due to rack size constraints it had to be mounted on its side. Or so I'm told....

They used to replace it every 3 months I believe, you could see the gradual deterioration on the test pattern of a morning as the weeks went by and filaments slowly drooped..

It is normally a case of unless you checked, Murphy will win, & it will be wrong orientation.