Came across this video, a master class in how things should be built.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO1HUXiPVrI
Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
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Use tags for the type of equipment your topic is about. Include the "repairs" tag, too, when appropriate. If a new tag is needed, request one in the TEAdministration forum.
Use tags for the type of equipment your topic is about. Include the "repairs" tag, too, when appropriate. If a new tag is needed, request one in the TEAdministration forum.
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Specmaster
- Posts: 1145
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:13 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, UK
Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
Who let Murphy in?
Brymen-Fluke-HP-Thurlby-Thander-Tek-Extech-Black Star-GW-Advance-Avo-Kyoritsu-Amprobe-ITT-Robin-TTi-Heathkit-Duratool
Brymen-Fluke-HP-Thurlby-Thander-Tek-Extech-Black Star-GW-Advance-Avo-Kyoritsu-Amprobe-ITT-Robin-TTi-Heathkit-Duratool
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Re: Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
If it were mine the first thing I would do is get rid of those 2 huge selenium rectifiers on the rear chassis. They are ticking time bombs. 
An old gray beard with an attitude. I don't bite.....sometimes 
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Specmaster
- Posts: 1145
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:13 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, UK
Re: Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
Absolutely f-ing right, but the rest is just gorgeous in the way it has been laid out and labelled with space to get in there to repair it should it need it.
Who let Murphy in?
Brymen-Fluke-HP-Thurlby-Thander-Tek-Extech-Black Star-GW-Advance-Avo-Kyoritsu-Amprobe-ITT-Robin-TTi-Heathkit-Duratool
Brymen-Fluke-HP-Thurlby-Thander-Tek-Extech-Black Star-GW-Advance-Avo-Kyoritsu-Amprobe-ITT-Robin-TTi-Heathkit-Duratool
Re: Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
I'm gonna be the wag of the group here and say that being somewhat familiar with Tek of that era, and Tek of similarly hollow-state design, build quality just isn't all that impressive. And actually, in terms of technology, it's almost 20 years behind the times, even in nineteen sixty-mumble.
It's easy to have tidy build quality when you have a dozen active bits and people like Tek have already shown how it should be done; and comparatively, that thing is barely an oscilloscope. Even HeathKit managed better. meh.
mnem
It's easy to have tidy build quality when you have a dozen active bits and people like Tek have already shown how it should be done; and comparatively, that thing is barely an oscilloscope. Even HeathKit managed better. meh.
mnem
Re: Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
Apart from anything else, if those selenium rectifiers die the stench is horrible.
My oldest scope is a Metropolitan Vickers CT52, which was a mains powered scope made for the military and has CV valves specified. There was also a 12V powered variant, but the PSU is modular and interchangeable. The main smoothing caps are dated Nov 52. The bandwidth is 1Mc/s. It's a cut above the standard of construction found in a domestic radio of the time, but I not quite as pretty as the Picoscope. It's got one of those beautiful Parmeko oil filled mains transformers. As I recall it has a fantastron timebase.
The last time it was powered up was about 25 years ago. I'm sure there's another CT52 in its transit case in the loft.
This thread makes me feel slightly guilty, as I think I should make sure it's sorted out and fire it up every six months. It's roughly the size of a shoe box.
There's something fascinating about this old tat as long as it's not too big - I mean items like this are an important part of our technological, industrial and cultural history, although size constraints may deter some collectors.
My oldest scope is a Metropolitan Vickers CT52, which was a mains powered scope made for the military and has CV valves specified. There was also a 12V powered variant, but the PSU is modular and interchangeable. The main smoothing caps are dated Nov 52. The bandwidth is 1Mc/s. It's a cut above the standard of construction found in a domestic radio of the time, but I not quite as pretty as the Picoscope. It's got one of those beautiful Parmeko oil filled mains transformers. As I recall it has a fantastron timebase.
The last time it was powered up was about 25 years ago. I'm sure there's another CT52 in its transit case in the loft.
This thread makes me feel slightly guilty, as I think I should make sure it's sorted out and fire it up every six months. It's roughly the size of a shoe box.
There's something fascinating about this old tat as long as it's not too big - I mean items like this are an important part of our technological, industrial and cultural history, although size constraints may deter some collectors.
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Re: Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
Agreed... and what's a few toxic PCBs between friends...? 
mnem
*toddles off to ded*
mnem
*toddles off to ded*
Re: Fantastic build quality, built to be maintained
Not just PCBs but beryllium oxide in heatsinks, asbestos in fuse holders, and mercury rectifiers. I'm sure a lot of things were cadmium plated. There are also radioactive gas filled regulators. They have a piece of radioactive material about the size of a pin head so they strike more reliably.