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Tools and Supplies for the Ham

Created by Phil Salas, AD5X on 2021-01-02

"Editor's Note: Due to the popularity of some of eHam's older articles, many of which you may not have read, the eHam.net team has decided to rerun some of the best articles that we have received since eHam's inception. These articles will be reprinted to add to the quality of eHam's content and in a show of appreciation to the authors of these articles." This article was originally published on: 10/31/2003

 

Tools and Supplies for the Ham

Useful and inexpensive tools and supplies for the shack

Phil Salas - AD5X

 

I've been doing a lot of metal work lately, both in building antennas and in building up boxes for homebrew projects. Additionally, I've been changing all my DC connectors over to Powerpole connectors. In the process of all this, I've compiled a list of items that I thought others may find of interest. So I thought I'd share this info. Let me state up front that I have no particular vested interest in any of the products and companies listed, other than I think they provide a great value. So here goes:

 

If you are into using Powerpole connectors for your DC power requirements, an excellent crimper is the Harbor Freight 36411 crimper. It does not deform the Powerpole terminal like the popular $10 crimper does, and the crimp is longer (and looks better) than the Klein $30 crimper. The Harbor Freight 36411 is normally $6, but it always seems to be on sale for $4. Open up the box and check the tool before buying, as I did find a few where the crimping tongue was off-center. Probably still OK, but I like my crimps to look perfect!

 

If you like to build antennas, you probably use stainless steel hardware. A great place to order all kinds of stainless steel hardware from is http://www.jschmidtstainless.com. Prices are very good, though you have to buy 100 pieces typically. However, most of the small hardware is around $3/100 pieces or less. You can buy a 12-foot 1/8" stainless steel whip for $2. They also sell stainless steel 3/32"x1/4" roll pins that hold Powerpole connectors together ($1.75/100).

 

As an alternative to a hand drill, you might consider the Harbor Freight Hand Punch, 44060-1VGA @ $16.99. This tool punches holes from 1/16" to 5/16" diameter in steel, aluminum and brass up to a thickness of 16 gauge. This hand punch is much easier and more convenient to use than a hand drill in many applications. I think it is also safer to use than a drill when punching holes in small pieces of flat metal. I use it constantly. Highly recommended.

 

If you bend sheet metal for your home projects, check out the Harbor Freight 18" Bending Brake, 39103-0VGA @ $19.99. This is an excellent low cost brake.

 

How about an inexpensive Tap and Die kit? The Harbor Freight 39391-0VGA Tap & Die Kit @ $12.99 lets you tap holes and thread rods for the following sizes:

4-32, 6-32, 8-32, 10-32, 10-24, 12-24, 1/4-20, 1/4-28, 5/16-18, 5/16-24, 3/8-16, 3/8-24, 7/16-14, 7/16-20, 1/2-13, 1/2-20 and 1/8'' NPT pipe. This is extremely cheap for all this capability and I suppose the quality must not be as good as similar, but much more expensive kits. However, I haven't broken any taps yet.

 

Do you need a portable (wireless) soldering iron? And do you ever need to solder to aluminum or stainless steel? If so, check out the Solder-It SolderPro 50/70/100/120 butane powered torches and solder pastes (www.solder-it.com). These are GREAT portable soldering irons (a soldering tip comes with them), especially for outdoor use. And couple these with silver solder paste (SP-7) @ $6, and aluminum solder paste (ALP-21) @ $6 and you have a great combination. It is really something to be able to solder to stainless steel and/or aluminum! I bought the SolderPro 120 at Dayton and I use it a lot. It is heavy duty and has a large butane capacity for longer operation. But I also like the SolderPro 50 for most applications because it is small and light. The SolderPro 50 and silver solder paste are also available from Radio Shack and Fry's Electronics ($20 for the SolderPro 50 and $4 for the silver solder paste at both places). I haven't been able to find the aluminum solder paste anyplace but at The Solder-It Company. To use the torches and solder paste: Squeeze out solder paste into and around the joint you want to solder. Heat the metal around the solder paste with the torch until the paste starts to bubble - then apply the flame directly to the paste/joint for a few seconds until the solder properly forms and spreads across the joint. For some reason, I've found that with stainless steel, sometimes the Aluminum Solder Paste works, and other times the Silver Solder Paste works. Seems to depend on the type of stainless steel, I guess.

 

Phil - AD5X

 

K2WH2021-01-03
Tools and Supplies for the Ham
Fry's Electronics is closing many of its stores.

https://www.thelayoff.com/t/10C60tn5
AB3MO2021-01-02
Tools and Supplies for the Ham
Phil, There are so many different SS alloys that some surface oxide film compositions could be "refractory!"