I'm trying to get a hold of a tool that will undo grub screws
securing the front panel knobs on my venerable BC221, can anyone suggest
where I can get a hold of one, a modern equivalent and/or something that
can be modified to do the job ??
Although all BC221s were provided with the tool (stored in a
clip beside the spare valves) I've never seen one and can only guess
that it must be something like a very small Phillips screwdriver head
but with a parallel rather than tapered tip. It must also be less than
3/32" dia 'cos I've just tried to make one by hand out of 3/32" dia
steel rod and that was too big, don't think my eyesight is up to hand
filing the cruciform tip in any smaller dia rod, hence a request for
help !!
My BC221 is still furkling along after 63+ years (& only c/s -
There, I've said it !!) out of calibration) but I think I should at
least try & smarten up the case with a good clean and a bit of fresh
paint. Who knows, it's probably got more chance of making the century
than I have.
Thanks
--
Dick
GM0MNL

Dick wrote:
I'm trying to get a hold of a tool that will undo grub screws
securing the front panel knobs on my venerable BC221, can anyone suggest
where I can get a hold of one, a modern equivalent and/or something that
can be modified to do the job ??
Although all BC221s were provided with the tool (stored in a
clip beside the spare valves) I've never seen one and can only guess
that it must be something like a very small Phillips screwdriver head
but with a parallel rather than tapered tip. It must also be less than
3/32" dia 'cos I've just tried to make one by hand out of 3/32" dia
steel rod and that was too big, don't think my eyesight is up to hand
filing the cruciform tip in any smaller dia rod, hence a request for
help !!
My BC221 is still furkling along after 63+ years (& only c/s -
There, I've said it !!) out of calibration) but I think I should at
least try & smarten up the case with a good clean and a bit of fresh
paint. Who knows, it's probably got more chance of making the century
than I have.
Thanks

It has been many years since I had a BC-221, but I seem to think that a
Bristol wrench was needed to remove the knobs. No bets, however.

Bob, W6NBI

Dick wrote:
I'm trying to get a hold of a tool that will undo grub screws
securing the front panel knobs on my venerable BC221, can anyone suggest
where I can get a hold of one, a modern equivalent and/or something that
can be modified to do the job ??
Although all BC221s were provided with the tool (stored in a
clip beside the spare valves) I've never seen one and can only guess
that it must be something like a very small Phillips screwdriver head
but with a parallel rather than tapered tip. It must also be less than
3/32" dia 'cos I've just tried to make one by hand out of 3/32" dia
steel rod and that was too big, don't think my eyesight is up to hand
filing the cruciform tip in any smaller dia rod, hence a request for
help !!
My BC221 is still furkling along after 63+ years (& only c/s -
There, I've said it !!) out of calibration) but I think I should at
least try & smarten up the case with a good clean and a bit of fresh
paint. Who knows, it's probably got more chance of making the century
than I have.
Thanks

It has been many years since I had a BC-221, but I seem to think that a
Bristol wrench was needed to remove the knobs. No bets, however.

Bob, W6NBI

On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 17:00:04 +0100, Dick
wrote:

I'm trying to get a hold of a tool that will undo grub screws
securing the front panel knobs on my venerable BC221, can anyone suggest
where I can get a hold of one, a modern equivalent and/or something that
can be modified to do the job ??
Although all BC221s were provided with the tool (stored in a
clip beside the spare valves) I've never seen one and can only guess
that it must be something like a very small Phillips screwdriver head
but with a parallel rather than tapered tip. It must also be less than
3/32" dia 'cos I've just tried to make one by hand out of 3/32" dia
steel rod and that was too big, don't think my eyesight is up to hand
filing the cruciform tip in any smaller dia rod, hence a request for
help !!
My BC221 is still furkling along after 63+ years (& only c/s -
There, I've said it !!) out of calibration) but I think I should at
least try & smarten up the case with a good clean and a bit of fresh
paint. Who knows, it's probably got more chance of making the century
than I have.
Thanks
Dick, I think they are "Allen Key" or "Hex Key" grub screws but I
won't bet on it though.
hth Mike W, G8NXD

On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 17:00:04 +0100, Dick
wrote:

I'm trying to get a hold of a tool that will undo grub screws
securing the front panel knobs on my venerable BC221, can anyone suggest
where I can get a hold of one, a modern equivalent and/or something that
can be modified to do the job ??
Although all BC221s were provided with the tool (stored in a
clip beside the spare valves) I've never seen one and can only guess
that it must be something like a very small Phillips screwdriver head
but with a parallel rather than tapered tip. It must also be less than
3/32" dia 'cos I've just tried to make one by hand out of 3/32" dia
steel rod and that was too big, don't think my eyesight is up to hand
filing the cruciform tip in any smaller dia rod, hence a request for
help !!
My BC221 is still furkling along after 63+ years (& only c/s -
There, I've said it !!) out of calibration) but I think I should at
least try & smarten up the case with a good clean and a bit of fresh
paint. Who knows, it's probably got more chance of making the century
than I have.
Thanks
Dick, I think they are "Allen Key" or "Hex Key" grub screws but I
won't bet on it though.
hth Mike W, G8NXD

Hi,

You are correct Bob, according to the SCR-221 technical manual
(TM-11-300) there should be two Bristol wrenches (#6 & #8) in the
spares kit. I have just tried the one I have on an old wreck of a
BC221-T and it fits but don't know whether it is a #6 or a #8. It
is just under a 1/10" across the flutes.

I believe that during WWII there was a specially employed
lady, complete with tattoos presumably, whose task it was to
tighten the set-screws on all military equipment. She did such a
good job that nobody except a certain candidate for the
governorship of California has since been able to move them.


Cheers - Joe

Hi,

You are correct Bob, according to the SCR-221 technical manual
(TM-11-300) there should be two Bristol wrenches (#6 & #8) in the
spares kit. I have just tried the one I have on an old wreck of a
BC221-T and it fits but don't know whether it is a #6 or a #8. It
is just under a 1/10" across the flutes.

I believe that during WWII there was a specially employed
lady, complete with tattoos presumably, whose task it was to
tighten the set-screws on all military equipment. She did such a
good job that nobody except a certain candidate for the
governorship of California has since been able to move them.


Cheers - Joe

I believe that during WWII there was a specially employed
lady, complete with tattoos presumably, whose task it was to
tighten the set-screws on all military equipment. She did such a
good job that nobody except a certain candidate for the
governorship of California has since been able to move them.

As one who converted a lot of WWII surplus gear for Amateur Radio use, I often
hoped the guy who invented Glyptol got sealed in his coffin with the stuff.

Doug Moore

I believe that during WWII there was a specially employed
lady, complete with tattoos presumably, whose task it was to
tighten the set-screws on all military equipment. She did such a
good job that nobody except a certain candidate for the
governorship of California has since been able to move them.

As one who converted a lot of WWII surplus gear for Amateur Radio use, I often
hoped the guy who invented Glyptol got sealed in his coffin with the stuff.

Doug Moore

Dick, as others have said, these probably need Bristol wrenches. I bought
some a few months back from

Good luck,

Malcolm, W1/GW3NJY


"Dick" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to get a hold of a tool that will undo grub screws
securing the front panel knobs on my venerable BC221, can anyone suggest
where I can get a hold of one, a modern equivalent and/or something that
can be modified to do the job ??
Although all BC221s were provided with the tool (stored in a
clip beside the spare valves) I've never seen one and can only guess
that it must be something like a very small Phillips screwdriver head
but with a parallel rather than tapered tip. It must also be less than
3/32" dia 'cos I've just tried to make one by hand out of 3/32" dia
steel rod and that was too big, don't think my eyesight is up to hand
filing the cruciform tip in any smaller dia rod, hence a request for
help !!
My BC221 is still furkling along after 63+ years (& only c/s -
There, I've said it !!) out of calibration) but I think I should at
least try & smarten up the case with a good clean and a bit of fresh
paint. Who knows, it's probably got more chance of making the century
than I have.
Thanks
--
Dick
GM0MNL