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 Members Test Benches - Let's have a look
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 10:58:53 PM on 5 January 2012.
Airzone's Gravatar
 Location: Maclean, NSW
 Member since 30 May 2008
 Member #: 291
 Postcount: 341

As I mentioned before, let's have a look at the various test benches and equipment from members on this forum. By now Brad should have had a clean up Wink
I had a fair amount of test gear before my father's passing, but now have his extensive workshop. I have only listed from memory what I have but there are still many boxes to be unpacked this year. I am a special class electrician/contractor with electronics and instrumentation qualifications.
When Brad places the photos up it shows Dad's test bench and half of my radios.

The test bench has the following features:
8 amp quicklag circuit breaker
Isolated 240v-240v outlets with voltmeter
Standard 240v outlets
Variable 0-260 AC outlets with voltmeter
Filaments voltage terminals 0-2.5v, 0-6.3v
110v AC outlets
Variable DC 0-500v with volt and milliampere meter.
Variable Regulated DC 100-250v with volt and milliampere meter.
.................................................................
*Test Equipment*
14 volumes of Australian Circuit diagrams
Many other various valve data and radio books
2 – valve testers with small valve extender
2 – oscilloscopes
4 – signal generators
1- Avo 7
1- Avo 8
1 – old Palec multimeter (working well)
7 digital multimeters including a Fluke 87
4- analogue multimeters
2 – VTVM’s
4 – insulation testers (3 analogue, 1 digital 250, 500, 1000v) Meggers
1 – digital 0-30v, 0-60v, 5A - DC variable power supply.
1- ESR Capacitor Tester
2 – digital capacitance testers
1- digital frequency counter
1- AWA Type 2M8832 Output Meter
1- AVO multimeter "express"
2 – Royel twin soldering irons variable temp.
Various analogue voltmeters and ammeters, milli-ammeters
Numerous special test boxes made by my father
Test leads and adaptors
Huge collection of valves
Full set of resistors in 1w, 5w, 10w
Huge collection of the various capacitors used in radios
Pots, variable caps, switches, lamps, see photo for components draws and many unpacked boxes.
Many boxes of test gear still not unpacked, much more to come.

Workshop and radio collection
Workshop and radio collection
Workshop and radio collection
Workshop and radio collection


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 10:18:06 PM on 6 January 2012.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7301

As an old-school electrician I always liked working on Email-Westinghouse switchboards. The E Frame and Quicklag form factors had that awesome industrial feel to them that these plasticky DIN rail boards lack.

I also notice the Elwood and Little Generals on the top shelves.

The workshop is well laid out and organised.

My setup is not too dissimilar though I do lack some of the more comprehensive test gear. I'm still pondering on getting an oscilloscope and a valve tester after more than 20 years of collecting and am somewhat ashamed that I still haven't bothered to acquire these things. I make do with an analogue multimeter, digital multimeter, tong tester and variable frequency oscillator. I once did have a test bench but its age and condition became a concern so it was dismantled and disposed of. I'll build another at some stage.

I'll post some photos of my current arrangements through next week as I will be away over the weekend. Grin


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 9:09:18 AM on 7 January 2012.
TV Collector's Gravatar
 Location: Ballarat, VIC
 Member since 4 January 2011
 Member #: 803
 Postcount: 456

Airzone - A most impressive workshop area. Nicely laid out and tidier than most I've seen! I let my workshop get a little out of hand and it's taken several months of sorting to bring it back into a somewhat organised state. I'm most impressed by the test bench set-up, nearly all possible voltage supplies available at an arms reach with minimal fuss.

Brad - Valve testers these days are horrendously overpriced for what they are. The simple emission checkers are very basic and can be easily built yourself. Even the the more advanced testers are not that complicated.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 10:25:19 AM on 7 January 2012.
Airzone's Gravatar
 Location: Maclean, NSW
 Member since 30 May 2008
 Member #: 291
 Postcount: 341

Unfortunately my car shares my radio workshop until I build my carport this year. I hope to make a nice room out of it 5m x 5m so I can also play the hundreds of 78rpm records and Edison cylinders that I also own. Found more test gear this morning Smile


 
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