#8 lock washer necessary on transformer bell? (I don't have one)

[Joshewah]

Hi, I'm in the middle of assembling my crack when I noticed that the directions on page 14 ask to slip a lock washer over one of the transformers screws (the one that will be closest to the safety ground.)

The problem is I was only given two #8 lock washers, and both were used in the installation of the safety ground.

Pictures for clarification:

Checklist shows 2 #8 lock washers




Safety ground uses the 2 #8 lock washers




Transformer bell requires 1 #8 lock washer but they were both already used on the saftey ground...





Am I being over cautious? Can I just skip the installation of the transformer's single lock washer?

Sorry if this has been covered before. I did a quick search but found nothing.

[ramicio]

The transformer uses 4 star-type lock washers, and in the checklist it shows those four.  You can easily see the difference in the pictures, too.

[Joshewah]

Thanks for the reply.

Not the star lock washers. I have those and they are installed under the transformer bell.

This is in regards to the circled portion asking for a single round lock washer to be installed on top of the bell on the screw closest to the safety ground. Only 2 round lock washers were included and were used on the safety ground, so the instructions are asking for a 3rd.

[Doc B.]

Looks like our count is off in the parts list. My apologies. Looks like three possible solutions:

1) You can skip it. Might make a little better electrical contact between the screw and the bell end with the lockwasher in there, which makes it a little better in terms of safety in the phenomenally unlikely event that the power trans shorts to its core. Probably makes good enough contact anyway, this is just belt and suspenders.

2) you can contact Eileen and she will be happy to mail you a washer. queen at bottlehead dot com

3) should be easy to find at Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.

[Joshewah]

Thanks for clearing that up, Doc. I'm going to chance it and assume the connection to the bell is good enough and forgo that washer. I can always add one later from Depot if I feel necessary.

[Grainger49]

BTW, Ace sells screws, nuts and washers singly from a set of drawers.  I always buy a few spares but they, Ace, are cheaper than HD considering how many you have to buy there.

[Laudanum]

Had the same "issue".  I just skipped the second washer on the ground lug and used it for the transformer cover as I think was suggested when I asked.  I have a TON of screws, washers, nut, bolts etc.  Didnt have a single #8 lockwasher.  Or I should say, I couldnt find one when I was looking.