Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Caroline138 · 29th Apr 2018, 9:31 am

Hello everyone and thank you for letting me join the forum.
I am posting on behalf of my uncle who is a keen amateur radio man, and has been since the 1950's.

He has given me a fully working Cambridge Instruments 3 decade Constantan resistance box (1000 ohms max, 1 ohm min) that he believes dates from the 1940's.

Can anyone date this and advise whether or not this is something that may be collectable, and if so what would it be worth, and where would be the best place to sell it?

M0FYA Andy · 29th Apr 2018, 10:15 am

These things often turn up on ebay, so it's probably the best place to sell it. Not worth much, I'm afraid.
Andy

Caroline138 · 29th Apr 2018, 1:58 pm

Thanks Andy - will try that - I think he was hoping it was something special!
Do you have a starting price suggestion?

M0FYA Andy · 29th Apr 2018, 3:06 pm

I've just had a look, and similar things are listed from £20 upwards to three figures, but looking at completed listings is much more revealing and shows that not many are actually sold!
I suggest you have a look yourself to get an idea, just search on 'resistance box'.
I think the problem is that vintage test equipment is very much a niche interest, generally only fetching a fraction of what it cost when new, which this undoubtedly did.
Andy

Refugee · 29th Apr 2018, 10:21 pm

I once found a 500V Megger selling for under £10 for its wooden case.
It is one that requires an external power supply.
A little inverter and battery rests between the input terminals.
It is now a quite accurate high resistance meter as well as doing insulation tests.

FIXITNOW · 30th Apr 2018, 7:51 am

its hard to say with these got this one for £10

29th Apr 2018, 9:31 am	#1
Caroline138 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Rochester, Kent, UK. Posts: 2	Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? Hello everyone and thank you for letting me join the forum. I am posting on behalf of my uncle who is a keen amateur radio man, and has been since the 1950's. He has given me a fully working Cambridge Instruments 3 decade Constantan resistance box (1000 ohms max, 1 ohm min) that he believes dates from the 1940's. Can anyone date this and advise whether or not this is something that may be collectable, and if so what would it be worth, and where would be the best place to sell it? Attached Thumbnails

29th Apr 2018, 10:15 am	#2
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? These things often turn up on ebay, so it's probably the best place to sell it. Not worth much, I'm afraid. Andy

29th Apr 2018, 1:58 pm	#3
Caroline138 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Rochester, Kent, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? Thanks Andy - will try that - I think he was hoping it was something special! Do you have a starting price suggestion?

29th Apr 2018, 3:06 pm	#4
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? I've just had a look, and similar things are listed from £20 upwards to three figures, but looking at completed listings is much more revealing and shows that not many are actually sold! I suggest you have a look yourself to get an idea, just search on 'resistance box'. I think the problem is that vintage test equipment is very much a niche interest, generally only fetching a fraction of what it cost when new, which this undoubtedly did. Andy

29th Apr 2018, 10:21 pm	#5
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? I once found a 500V Megger selling for under £10 for its wooden case. It is one that requires an external power supply. A little inverter and battery rests between the input terminals. It is now a quite accurate high resistance meter as well as doing insulation tests.

30th Apr 2018, 7:51 am	#6
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,976	Re: Cambridge Instruments decade resistance box - advice please? Value? its hard to say with these got this one for £10 Attached Thumbnails