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Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders.

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Old 10th Jul 2019, 4:13 pm   #1
David Simpson
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Default Pye Service Workshop Rack

A birthday present (found local on Gumtree)from my youngest son - this beast plus other stuff(AVO7,"Channel" - Burnham on Sea- Attenuator Box ?,Taylor 81A Universal Meter, Evershed Safety OhmMeter 5Q/317).
This rack is 15" wide x 8.5" deep x 28.5" high. Seemingly a shed find from a deceased post-war TV engineer.
Are these racks still usable ?

Regards, David
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 6:21 pm   #2
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Looking at it and guessing it seems to be an audio frequency generator, a rf one (or some sort of wobbulator if it's for TV), current and voltage meters plus various switches to select one or the other. If so I don't see why it should not be usable after a look inside and replacement of any wax caps.
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 6:29 pm   #3
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

What's the little thing with the perforated metal cover and the 2 knobs on the front?

"Channel Electronic Industries" in Burnham-on-Sea made Band-III TV converters in the 1950s.
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 6:59 pm   #4
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Band 3 converter ,same as mine plus I have the Pye Service Rack which I need to fire up.

There was a back article on same in the BVWS Bulletin.
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 8:57 pm   #5
David Simpson
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

From what I can see, its a multimeter plus an AF Sig Gen & an RF Sig Gen. Socket for an external modulation supply.
David, do you have the manual &/or circuit diagram for yours ?

Regards, David
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 9:28 pm   #6
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

A couple of members have one, and would probably be able to help: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=49098
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Old 12th Jul 2019, 3:02 pm   #7
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Many thanks Bill for the link. Should be getting some documentation soon.
Seemingly others have baulked at delving into this beastie. Guess I'm going to be a glutton for punishment. Thought I could have had a wee rest after repairing & calib. a CT160, but not so.
Also - back to restoring vintage wooden cased t/eq. - the Taylor 81A, but will open a new thread when I can acquire a circuit diagram or manual.

Regards, David
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Old 12th Jul 2019, 3:36 pm   #8
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

I may have a couple of pye connectors if you need them.
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Old 16th Jul 2019, 4:34 pm   #9
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Many thanks to Alan Beckett for the Manual copy. I guess these must have been the bee's knees back in 1946, but my oh my - what a weight. I'm going to try & think of a way to support the chassis & front panel, so that I can temporarily remove some of the heavy steel panelling.

Regards, David
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Old 16th Jul 2019, 5:05 pm   #10
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

They certainly are heavy, I have the "portable" (well, it has a handle!) signal generator section similar to the one in the service rack & they're one heck of a solidly built bit of kit. I was highly impressed with the quality of mine & even more so when I recommissioned it after many years in a damp shed (replaced a few waxies and fettled the damaged meter, nothing else) only for it to work right off the bat and be superbly accurate! Built well & truly to last a lifetime.
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Old 17th Jul 2019, 3:54 pm   #11
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Well - what a difference in weight. Spent about 1 1/2hrs removing metalwork & the mains T/F. The front panel & one side remain. Dead easy now to get at everything. I've made temp. PSU connections to a loom of eight wires, but hopefully I'll be able to fit an IO Plug & Socket upon reconnecting. A smaller loom of three wires might lend itself to a small Jones Plug & Skt.
The two long black strips down either side of the front panel are in fact solid brass, secured internally by two 4BA bolts each inside. They reveal the main C/S 2BA's which secure the front panel. The T/F is secured by six dome headed 2BA nuts at the bottom of the side plate.
So hopefully, the two other Forum folk with one of these will have a go at delving inside. Really - its just a heap of 2 & 4BA nuts & bolts holding everything together. No big deal.

Regards, David
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Last edited by David Simpson; 17th Jul 2019 at 3:57 pm. Reason: Add'l info
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Old 22nd Jul 2019, 7:48 am   #12
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Well, The whole caboodle works! RF Sig Gen, AF Mod, Audio WM, Component tester, DC Test Voltages. Draws under 300mA from the mains - rock steady. The 3 meters work fine at the correct fsd.
But what to do with it ? I've already got all its facilities from other items of test gear. And I've definitely no bench space spare for it. Me thinks it would be ideal for someone setting out in vintage radio pursuits. So think I'll offer it free to Forum folk - on a collection only basis, or local delivery. Otherwise - I guess breaking it up for spares. I've got the operators manual for it, and circuit diagram.

Regards, David
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Old 22nd Jul 2019, 8:27 am   #13
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Is there any chance of a copy of the manuals David please?
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Old 22nd Jul 2019, 10:58 am   #14
David Simpson
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

No problem David. I'll get them scanned next time I'm at the local chemist who have an A3 scanner.

Regards, David
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Old 22nd Jul 2019, 11:11 am   #15
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Many Thanks.

Best Regards,

David
PS let me know what I owe
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Old 22nd Jul 2019, 2:05 pm   #16
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Default Re: Pye Service Workshop Rack

Good stuff, I had a feeling it'd work with minimal effort. Really hope someone can collect and make use of it though, would be a crying shame for it to be broken up for spares without even being faulty.

If I was closer I'd have jumped at it & made space on one side of the bench for it, even though I would likely have been garrotted by SWMBO!
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