Tips and Jottings

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 21, 6 December 1929, Page 28

Tips and Jottings

Soldering Stranded Wires. A TASK’ which: constructors often find troublesome is the making of a ‘satisfactory soldered ‘connection between the shank of a terminal and a piece’ of flex wire. Actually it is very easy when undertaken. in the proper way. When the end of the flex has been bared, it is necessary to make sure that the strands are clean. Sometimes, especially if the flex is old, the ‘strands become dull and discoloured, due to oxidation. Should the wire be dirty, untwist it, spread the strands out flat, and draw them once or twice lightly over a sheet of the finest ewery cloth: Twist them together agaitg d apply a very little flux. With 4 "Sot iron run a little solder into the strands so as.to bind them together. Tin the shank of the terminal, and it will be found that no difficulty will be experienced in making a neat, firm joint. A Vice Precaution. NEITHER ebonite nor brass should ever be gripped between the bare jaws of a metal vice, Both are comparatively soft substances and,.as the jaws are roughened, deep marks will be made which are most difficult to remove. The best tip is to obtain a piece of sheet lead of the same width as the jaws of the vice and to cut the two pieces about 4in, in length. These are bent to fit the jaws so that they ‘remain in position when the vice is. opened. If for atiy reason sheet lead is not available, thick cardboard van be used quite well in an emergency. When it is desired to hold the shank of a terminal or a screw in the vice, bend a thin strip of lead into a V-shape and push the threaded part into it. The lead can now be screwed up tightly and it will grip the threads without injuring them in any way. When a brass nut has to be gripped, always place a screw in it first of all, otherwise it may be crushed ont of shape by the jaws of the vice.- The screw serves to prevent. it. from being distorted. Panel Protection. s WIRELESS sets with highly-polished — panels have a great attraction for some constructors. But if there are any scratches, however slight, the effgct is completely spoilt, and it would 1 better if a matted panel had been used. Most of these scratches are made when the panel is being marked out and drilled. They can be avoided by laying the panel on several thicknesses of soft tissue paper while marking out drilling. With ordinary care scratches can be prevented during the rest of the constructional work, and the result will be a set which looks quite professional, due to the faultless nolish on its panel, "