|
General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
|
Thread Tools |
9th Feb 2020, 5:32 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
|
Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
Does anyone know a good approach for repairing the peeling meter faces on HP moving coil meters? I bought an HP 3400A today which needs some work doing on it. It hasn't lost much if any of the legend so I'd like to try and prevent it from getting worse.
|
9th Feb 2020, 6:19 pm | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK.
Posts: 2,296
|
Re: Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
I had the same problem with an HP distortion meter. I took the scale off the meter and scanned it. I then imported it into Libre office draw and drew a replacement on another layer above, deleted the imported pdf layer, printed it and stuck the print onto the scale after rubbing off as much of the peeling layer as I could.
A tip when using Libre office Draw, it imports pdf drawings as editable segments which is very powerful if you want to move or delete sections but when using the pdf as a template select the whole drawing and group it, then protect the group against editing. Peter |
9th Feb 2020, 6:26 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
Trouble is if you try to flatten the curly bits before fixing with clear lacquer you'll probably end up with more of a mess than you started with, at least that's what would happen if I tried it! I agree with Peter in that the best solution is to make a reproduction using the software tools now available to us.
Alan |
9th Feb 2020, 6:27 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,107
|
Re: Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
I managed to stabilise some flaking paint on an old scale plate (however it had not curled up as such) using a clear acrylic lacquer automotive touch-up pen. Some of these lacquers dry very quickly though.
(crossed with Alan's response) Dave |
9th Feb 2020, 7:17 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
|
Re: Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
Thanks all. I’ll look into these approaches
|
9th Feb 2020, 8:12 pm | #6 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,976
|
Re: Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
I tend to mist them with an aerosol can of lacquer, a few thin mist coats to set it in place.
|
11th Feb 2020, 8:16 pm | #7 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 1,733
|
Re: Repairing HP moving coil meter "peeling"
Another possible method here;
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...0&postcount=48 |