[sdiy] special tightening tools?

[Adam Schabtach]

> All the pots I buy come with a plain washer which is just a 
> little bigger than the nut, and the nutdriver (which has a 
> fairly smooth, rounded edge in any case) actually seats 
> against the washer, thus protecting whatever is underneath.  

<rant>
Years ago (around 20, come to think of it), I used a nice set of Xcelite
hollow-shaft nutdrivers owned by my employer. They had nice, smooth,
polished ends and would certainly not scratch a panel. 

A few years ago when I got into synth building in a serious manner I ordered
a set of Xcelite hollow-shaft nutdrivers, specifically for mounting pots and
switches on panels. The tools I received were not nearly as nicely made. The
ends were flat, not particularly polished, and had a sharp corner. I didn't
notice how badly made they were until I mounted the first pot on a MOTM
panel with one and put a substantial scratch in the panel. (Fortunately the
knob hides it.) Yes, there was a washer behind the nut, but the diameter and
shaping of the nut driver is such that it still scratched the panel.

I tried to smooth the end with a diamond sharpener but couldn't produce a
useful polish. I gave up and put tape over the end.

It was a frustrating and disappointing experience, and pretty much soured me
on the Cooper/Xcelite brand name.
</rant>

--Adam