|
Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
|
Thread Tools |
27th Aug 2020, 8:44 am | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 723
|
Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Hi All
I have just revived my Tektronix 475 scope, but to my horror most of the text on the CH2 attenuator dial had rubbed off somehow and seemed to be falling off as I watched! After some thought I reproduced the text using Microsoft Visio and printed it onto a clear 'water transfer' sheet. After cleaning the back of the dial I stuck the transfer sheet to the rear using a clear glue (Balsa wood model tissue glue in fact). Letting the glue dry it was into water to slip off the backing sheet. Voila! I think it looks quite good and possibly applicable to other transparent dials? The Visio file and/or spare transfers are available if anyone wants them. Cheers James |
27th Aug 2020, 8:48 am | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 723
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Incidentally - Replacing the nuts on the back of the attenuator assembly looked like a nightmare given the zero space available for fingers. But, offering the nut up on the end of a magnetised screwdriver lets you engage the first few threads easily!
James |
27th Aug 2020, 9:26 am | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
That's an impressive result. My 465B has a similar problem so I've been pondering possible solutions for a while and never really come up with anything likely to be satisfactory. The scale is slightly different but at least I know what to do now. Thank you.
Alan |
27th Aug 2020, 10:48 am | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 995
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Excellent result ! It may be a little 'fiddlier' (?), but I think if you 'flip & rotate' the text, before printing the water transfers, you should be able to just apply the transfers directly to the back of the knob without having to glue them. A light varnish spray would then seal them for long term use.
Alan |
27th Aug 2020, 11:18 am | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
My understanding is that James used the glue to ensure accurate positioning of the transfer on the rear face of the bezel. From past experience of using transfers I found that it can be very difficult to achieve positional accuracy as the transfer normally has to slide off the backing paper. I'm sure James will be able to clarify.
Alan |
27th Aug 2020, 12:15 pm | #6 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 995
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Well, I did say 'fiddlier' - I'm sure it would take a bit (lot) of practice & patience, but it should work.
I've done it at the opposite end of the scale, e.g, the 'Mission 700' text in the photo is a varnish sealed waterslide transfer I used restoring some speakers a while back. It measures about 150mm long, so accurate positioning without breaking it was challenging. The original vinyl sticker was too damaged to re-use. Just another option anyway. Alan |
27th Aug 2020, 12:30 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Beautifully done! Your hand is obviously steadier than mine.
Alan |
27th Aug 2020, 2:01 pm | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 723
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Hi Chaps
In fact I had hoped that I could just use the transfer directly but 'mirror' in Visio doesn't mirror text it only mirrors graphic lines, etc. An option was to save as a png or similar and mirror that but the resolution starts to degrade. So the stick and slide was my second choice but it works OK. It does have the advantage that you don't get those panic moments with a sliding transfer where they buckle and you have to start over! I could have varnished the back too but I don't have any here! Cheers James |
27th Aug 2020, 5:01 pm | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Time for me to buy some clear decal paper (only have white in stock) and start experimenting I think. It would be good to get the 465B up to scratch. Thank you both for providing motivation.
Alan |
27th Aug 2020, 5:39 pm | #10 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
In days past you could get mirror image Letrast, what a boon.
|
28th Aug 2020, 1:44 am | #11 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 1,063
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Hi James
Thanks for the great ideas. I use Android quite a lot, so looked up alternatives to Visio and found the website app.diagrams.net, where you can create and download labels for printing. There are plenty of free templates to use and adding text/ numerics in whatever orientation you wish is also very easy. Will PM you for the spare transfers, they might come in handy for something. |
29th Aug 2020, 10:52 pm | #12 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Thanks to inspiration provided by James and Alan I've been having a go at creating a water slide transfer for the badly worn CH1 attenuator dial on my 465B. However, I don't have Visio and am reluctant to start a new software learning curve so decided to try scanning the good CH2 dial. The scan is shown in the first image below.
After a great deal of work in GIMP I've so far managed to create the draft shown in the second attachment. Although it's by no means perfect I'm hoping it'll produce an acceptable outcome in view of the small size of the actual numerals. The third image is the 'mirror' and the high resolution version of this will be used to create the transfer. At the moment I'm waiting for the clear water slide paper to arrive. Alan |
8th Sep 2020, 1:34 pm | #13 |
Octode
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wimbledon, London, UK.
Posts: 1,465
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Is it possible that one of you talented and good folk could produce a similar solution to damaged attenuator dial for the Tek 468? The scope has digital storage and the knobs have extra figuring on the transparent skirt. It has the "normal" black-on-transparent numbering of 50 down to 5m, but then has a further three positions which are for storage display and which are transparent on a black background. I can provide a scan and I'm sure that the Manual will provide further details.
TIA, Colin. |
9th Sep 2020, 9:28 am | #14 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
PM sent to Colin.
Alan |
9th Sep 2020, 10:57 pm | #15 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 723
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Another, slightly harder as I had to cut-out the text in the black window area!
James |
13th Sep 2020, 8:32 pm | #16 |
Nonode
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Walsall Wood, Aldridge, Walsall, UK.
Posts: 2,873
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Hi!
The lettering originally used on many Tektronix Dials of this vintage is Univers 57, and if anybody would like to do a more accurate restoration of these dials and lettering, please PM me with an email address and I'll send a Univers TTF package free – these fonts are available free for personal use, it's just recognising them! Chris Williams
__________________
It's an enigma, that's what it is! This thing's not fixed because it doesn't want to be fixed! |
13th Sep 2020, 9:35 pm | #17 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Many thanks for that information regarding the Univers 57 font Chris. One of the reasons I went for the scanning approach was to replicate the font as I didn't think I'd be able to track down the correct type. Since I've now managed to sort out the knob skirt using the scan I may as well attach a photo of the result alongside the original screen printed example.
Alan |
15th Sep 2020, 10:15 am | #18 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Virginia Water, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,877
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Just for info, I went a slightly different route when I (also) discovered that Tektronix dial lettering is water soluble (!).
I used Galva to recreate the dial, then printed it on standard overhead transparency plastic film using a laser printer. I then cut it out and stuck it under the now clear dial. It worked a treat and was not at all fiddly. My Galva file for the Tek 2215 dial is attached. It's just a text file but galva files all end .dat. -Jeremy
__________________
Jeremy, G8MLK, BVWTVM Friend, VMARS, BVWS Secretary. www.pamphonic.co.uk www.bttt.org.uk |
15th Sep 2020, 10:18 am | #19 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Virginia Water, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,877
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Try again...
Just rename this file as .dat and Galva will open it. (Galva is freeware, available here: http://www.f5bu.fr/galva-about/)
__________________
Jeremy, G8MLK, BVWTVM Friend, VMARS, BVWS Secretary. www.pamphonic.co.uk www.bttt.org.uk |
15th Sep 2020, 12:35 pm | #20 | |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
|
Re: Restoring a Tektronix Transparent Dial Text
Quote:
I've thought about the possibility of trying printable self adhesive transparent labels/sheets but these are relatively expensive in relation to the small number needed. Does anyone have any experience of using these in this or a similar context? I'd like to recreate my 465B dial scale from scratch using Galva, Visio, Gimp or the like but until now hadn't been able to source the correct font. However, Chris is now resolving that challenge for me. Alan |
|