YL3JD's keys.
Homebrew Torsion Bar Cootie.
I made it mostly from scrap metal.
Tools only a file and a Bosch PBD40 table drill.
The torsion bar itself is 3 mm diameter the support bar is 10 mm.
I like the key feeling very much.
The travel through the end feeling is slightly harder than the Begali but i like this.
Weight 1,3 kg.
[YL3JD].
Homebrew Rebar Torsion Bar Cootie.
A new torsion bar cootie.
It is again made of scrap metal. Weight 1.5kg it handles unbelievable smooth even with a shorter length of torsion bar. I call this one the “Rebar” I made the two contacts for the adjusters from rebar steel. All of my QSO’s are with a cootie any way but since I made the first torsion bar one, now only with torsion bar cootie. It feels really good this torsion bar principle, I would have never expected that the angle of tordation (deformation) would be enough to have such a large swing. Using thicker steel plate helps to have very low vibrations or none. The lever has a total length of 150 mm which is good for the right force needed to create enough momentum in the torsion axle. The contacts to the radio I simply made of magnets, easy fitting, the whole key is magnetic steel.
All the steel I used is “soft” I think ordinary steel low carbon FE37 or so. I brushed the steel with a metal brush on my angle grinder and I will leave it as it is, to tribute the keys name “Rebar”. It has a robust look and is very heavy but the handling is silky smooth.
Viva CW and viva cootie.
Finished the key by blue-ing it and that worked great. See last picture and 2nd video below.
[YL3JD].
