RDA post screws break coil legs!

[ArdDarvis]

Hey guys, real quick...

I love RDAs, but sometimes I'll make a perfect coil, insert the legs into the post holes, go to tighten down the post screws, and the screw cuts the wires! Leaving me with a perfect coil with super short legs!

I understand why it happens, but is there anything I can do to alleviate that problem? Like, can I round the bottom edge of the screws with a small file?

any insight helps. even commiseration would be nice

 

[chomper33]

I am tired of breaking wires myself. Got some that seem like they are either too loose or break the wire. I think it is just cheap screws. I am ordering a bunch of different set screws that have nicer tips to see if they help any. Have got some and they do work well, but still have some sizes that haven't shipped yet. Was also thinking it would be nice to have a list somewhere of post screw sizes for the various attys out there for easy reference. Something like that could come in handy if people lose them or some manufacturer does something bogus like triangle socket set screws.

 

[supertrunker]

File the ends of the screws down a bit, so they are flatter where they capture the wire.

T

 

[WharfRat1976]

Yes, file the burs off the bottom of the cheaply made post screws. I do it under a 20 magnifier so I can see all the imperfections. Also, just snug the wires tight. Do not over turn on them also and this solves all, use 22g or 24g wire[emoji16]

 

[flippant]

A lot of rdas are perfectly easy to build on with the leads wrapped around the screws themselves (a la the Veritas). The screws tightened down trap the leads very securely and don't bite 'em in the way sharper ends would when the coil's inserted through the post-holes.

Kinda better in every way, actually, though it's sometimes quite tricky if your airflow comes in really low in the first place since you wind up with long leads.

 

[mikelipino]

I use sandpaper to file down the burrs on the screws. Just take a needlenose to hold the screw (so you don't scuff up your fingers...) and run it across sandpaper a few times. I think it works great.

 

[Dissonance]

If your screws are pointy, this will happen almost every time.

Get the ends of your screws as flat as you can, or switch 'em out for grub screws. Also, don't tighten down the wire as much (Once it bends up a 'lil you should be good), and using lower gauge wire also helps (It's a lot harder to accidentally sever 30g than 26g)

 

[AndriaD]

I've also found that over-flaming the wire before wrapping the coil can make the wires very brittle, and easy to break.

Andria

 

[ArdDarvis]

thanks everyone! I will definitely take all this into account. I'm gonna get my 50x magnifier out and see what damage I can (un)do.
I'll try to get them flat, and maybe stop putting the Hulk on'em.
My Igo-W clone burnt me soooo hard with no post holes- If there's post holes, I use'em. I'll try using the screws once.
aaaaaand, I guess i'll tone it down with the torch, i guuuuuuuuesssssss


You get a like! and YOU get a like! and YOU get a like!

 

[AndriaD]

thanks everyone! I will definitely take all this into account. I'm gonna get my 50x magnifier out and see what damage I can (un)do.
I'll try to get them flat, and maybe stop putting the Hulk on'em.
My Igo-W clone burnt me soooo hard with no post holes- If there's post holes, I use'em. I'll try using the screws once.
aaaaaand, I guess i'll tone it down with the torch, i guuuuuuuuesssssss


You get a like! and YOU get a like! and YOU get a like!

Love the spelling on your location -- slightly different from the Okeefenokee Swamp here in GA, but probably from the same language (cherokee).

I just use an old Bic lighter for the wire flaming -- gotta put 'em to some good use now that I no longer set tobacco on fire. I just flame them enough to see a very slight bend downward from the wire's own weight as the lighter passes; the coil isn't terribly tight at first, but after I get it mounted, then I can fire it and use tweezers to get it slightly tighter -- I don't really like my wraps to be touching, just close.

Andria