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

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.

Many, MANY years ago I wanted to remove the knobs from several pieces of
equipment (BC-610 tuning units vaguely comes to mind), and I recall that
I stripped an average of one properly-sized Allen wrench per knob removed.
Fortunately, the town where I was living at the time (Fort Collins, CO)
had a "war surplus" store, and -- even more fortunate for me -- they had
bins AND BINS of Allen wrenches of the proper size for a dime apiece!
Needless to say, I bought a lot of them!

--Myron.
--
Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, witness, jury, and cartridge
PhD EE (retired). "Barbershop" tenor. CDL(PTX). W0PBV. (785) 539-4448
NRA Life Member and Certified Instructor (Home Firearm Safety, Rifle, Pistol)

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.

Many, MANY years ago I wanted to remove the knobs from several pieces of
equipment (BC-610 tuning units vaguely comes to mind), and I recall that
I stripped an average of one properly-sized Allen wrench per knob removed.
Fortunately, the town where I was living at the time (Fort Collins, CO)
had a "war surplus" store, and -- even more fortunate for me -- they had
bins AND BINS of Allen wrenches of the proper size for a dime apiece!
Needless to say, I bought a lot of them!

--Myron.
--
Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, witness, jury, and cartridge
PhD EE (retired). "Barbershop" tenor. CDL(PTX). W0PBV. (785) 539-4448
NRA Life Member and Certified Instructor (Home Firearm Safety, Rifle, Pistol)

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

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.



I have seen the wrenches on e-bay from time to time.

To remove the screws after ordering a bowflex machine and working out with
it for 6 months, heat them and the "glue" will release and you will be able
to turn them.

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.



I have seen the wrenches on e-bay from time to time.

To remove the screws after ordering a bowflex machine and working out with
it for 6 months, heat them and the "glue" will release and you will be able
to turn them.

Joe McElvenney wrote:

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 put a drop of "Breakfree" in the hole and wait a couple days to
remove tight screws.
--


Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida