"Smokey" wrote in message
...
In the 1960s I ruined many a crystal following the guidelines found in ham
publications then for raising the frequency of my FT-243s. Of course I
used
Comet or Ajax since that was all that was available. Now, lo these many
years later I am ready to give it a go again only this time I'd like to
try
it with carborundum grinding powder. I have checked the local hardware
stores and the response is typical for the Jasons and Jareds who have no
business working in such a place. When they ask you to repeat
"carborundum"
its a sign they'll be of little help. I've tried automotive parts stores
and, while carborundum is used in cylinder compound it is mixed with some
other chemicals I am not sure would be good for my quartz. One idea was
the
guys that polish rocks and collect them. Hobby stores? So where do YOU
find
your carborundum? I'd like to know because I can't find it. Even the
people
at the glass etching place in town thought I was gargling when I said the
word "carborundum." Thanks for your suggestions.
de W9STB
Technique is important, there were many articles that stressed the proper
techniques to grind the crystals to keep the quartz plate surfaces perfectly
parallel. A lot of hams would grind down the edges, which caused a loss
of activity or a dead crystal.
Pete