|
Success Stories If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
|
Thread Tools |
15th Jun 2018, 8:21 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 419
|
Workshop dig out
This is my workshop under the stairs that had fallen into a junk storage area and not been used for a few years. So today decided to restore it to use. Found a fully restored VHF 71 , forgot I did it and had to do a cap check before powering!! All caps were new. Also found bits of test gear that I had not seen for ages. I eventually got it all cleared and gradually tested things. The only failure was my faithfull Maplin frequency counter that worked for a few mins then wouuld not respond to the selection buttons.
Note there is an extraction fan under the shelf overhang to take out fumes should I solder under the overhang. Cross connected everything in Dr Who fasion with a lissajous for the final photo. The challenge now is to keep it tidy and useable. Pete |
15th Jun 2018, 10:33 pm | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Well done!
I did something similar recently - in fact I cleared a few benches in various places which are set up for different purposes. I'm trying really hard to keep the benches clear all the time - just take out a job onto the bench, work on it, then put it aside. I've made a load more shelves to try to have more 'aside' space, but even if it ends up on the floor, I want a clear bench to inspire me to want to work. Seems to be helping! |
15th Jun 2018, 10:54 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,108
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Funnily enough even though i get hayfever and my other half is asthmatic, rosin fumes don't affect either of us...as far as we can tell
|
16th Jun 2018, 7:05 am | #4 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 3,051
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Quote:
But what do you do with all the longer-term projects, those awaiting parts or thinking time, those where you are interrupted half-way through etc? Putting them 'aside' always seems to result in missing parts or loss of interest for me. At present, I have a pressure washer apart on the garden table, an amplifier on my electronics bench, a mixer in the dining room... |
|
16th Jun 2018, 8:52 am | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK.
Posts: 7,669
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Blimey Pete, that's very bijoux you must feel like Harry Potter in there : ) Still I bet it does the job and good to see you back at the bench. I'd go nut's if I didn't have somewhere to tinker.
It's a never ending battle Mark, trying to keep the bench and WS clear. I spend a day mucking mine out once in a while till it looks great, then some s*d comes in and chucks stuff everywhere and makes a mess. It's like Jekyl and Hyde. "Funnily enough..... rosin fumes don't affect either of us" Puts hairs on your chest as they used to say. Andy.
__________________
Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far. |
16th Jun 2018, 10:29 am | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK.
Posts: 8,935
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Great job.
__________________
G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S |
16th Jun 2018, 11:14 am | #7 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 981
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Don't mention rosin fumes. Have a large cupboard and made myself very very unpopular, The fire alarm sensor is in the ceiling down the passage, every time I solder something, off it goes.
It has no means of stopping it, it is connected to the fire station. Move to the living room, need a pee, open door -- oh balls, you can guess. It is a sad life, can't solder and pee at the same time. Suggestions on a post card. Cheers. Geoff. I am joking about the pc. |
16th Jun 2018, 11:21 am | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Pee in a bottle? Or investigate one of those typically not-very-good cooker hoods with a big bag of activated carbon in them, which don't extract to the outside. Activated carbon is remarkable stuff. I bet you could scavenge a cooker hood for nothing.
|
18th Jun 2018, 5:44 pm | #9 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
Posts: 823
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Quote:
That trait seems to be universal in a hobby of this type. |
|
18th Jun 2018, 8:31 pm | #10 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,496
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Quote:
Ingenious use of space, Pete, love it! And also the Lissajous figures, I'm a big fan of them!
__________________
Al |
|
18th Jun 2018, 8:42 pm | #11 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,902
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Isn't it illegal to have a Lissajou figure showing if there is no Theremin accompanying it? Or does that only apply if the figure is rotating? If it stays stationary, then it's art?
David
__________________
Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done |
20th Jun 2018, 7:07 am | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 989
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Great little work space ...... I hope you’re not 6 foot tall😜
SimonT
__________________
The honesty of imperfection.......... |
20th Jun 2018, 8:14 am | #13 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 419
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Unfortunately I am just under 6 foot hence the pipe insulation on the first stair step in the photo! However once sitting on the removable bench seat there is plenty of head room.
Pete Last edited by G4_Pete; 20th Jun 2018 at 8:15 am. Reason: added removable |
20th Jun 2018, 4:13 pm | #14 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 282
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Great use of space , have just had a tidy under our stairs today , found a murphy a26 ,sobell 516 and an old marconi woody as well ! hopefully moving them on tomorrow , been sat there a while ! is that a Unilab ,made in Blackburn oscilloscope top left ?
regards, Tim, Blackburn, Lancs. |
20th Jun 2018, 4:21 pm | #15 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tonbridge, Kent, UK.
Posts: 687
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Re the smoke alarm, try a rubber kitchen glove or similar over it when you are soldering.
|
20th Jun 2018, 5:17 pm | #16 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 419
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Hi Tim Yes schools Unilab 32.602 to be precise , purchased faulty with one 20p transistor failed!
I keep it because it is protected against ground loops and is quick and simple to set up in the range DC up to a few hundred Khz. Plus its simplicity and reparability appeals to me. The Tek 2235 on the right hand side is for more serious measurements. Pete |
20th Jun 2018, 8:55 pm | #17 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
Posts: 2,858
|
Re: Workshop dig out
Congratulations Pete. A lovely collection of test equipment. Plus the great Lissajou figures.
Regards, David |
26th Jun 2018, 10:56 pm | #18 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 4,748
|
Re: Workshop dig out
There is something nice about a small workspace, and yours looks really nice.
For many years, I operated both my ham station and vintage radio workshop out of an 8' x 6' garden shed. Very cheap to heat in winter too!
__________________
Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts |