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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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12th Dec 2020, 8:38 pm | #1 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
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Another old Lyons Variac
I was rooting through a bin the other day (looking for bearings for an enormous 1920s stationary diesel engine - it was quite an exciting bin) and this poor thing emerged. It's older I think than the other ones I have - rather than the frame pieces being cast alloy, these are brass with a crinkle-black finish, and the enclosure is nicely made of quite heavy gauge steel perf. It was *very* rusty and dirty and *very* seized (the Bakelite tube through the middle was swollen, as usual). I spent a couple of hours gently coaxing it apart.
The scale plate is upside-down in the main picture - I cleaned off some of the thick green verdigris and there was nothing there. The top side was even worse, but by gently rubbing away, eventually a genie / no sorry, eventually letters appeared and you can see what I ended up with. I don't think the other ones I have, have an embossed brass scale plate, either. Not sure what I'll do here - I suppose I could spray it and then try to rub back through to the high-spot embossed lettering. Anyone tried that kind of thing? My girls have watched too many kids sci-fi programs. When the younger saw the coil (which has continuity and is now clean and dry) she reckoned it ought to be issuing a massive stream of blue light, and if it was turned off the universe would end. I think she's going to find the reality of twisting the little steering wheel a bit of a let-down
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"The best dBs, come in 3s" - Woody Brown |
13th Dec 2020, 12:35 pm | #2 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.
Posts: 995
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Quote:
Alan |
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13th Dec 2020, 3:04 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
That came out really well Alan. My plate is a bit dished, and my letters are only raised a thou or two (I was conscious of not polishing them off altogether as I was cleaning). I think it might be best left alone, but we'll see. There's a spare plate off a later Variac on ebay at the moment, but where's the fun in that (and buying it will blow the budget )
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"The best dBs, come in 3s" - Woody Brown |
27th Jan 2021, 2:35 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Here's the finished thing, nicely finished off with a brown 13A socket from Hugh. Thanks Hugh! The brushes are on their last legs, but (anisotropic graphite not withstanding) I'll have a go with some bits of angle grinder brush when they give up entirely.
cheers Mark
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"The best dBs, come in 3s" - Woody Brown |
27th Jan 2021, 2:46 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,866
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Well done, Mark, that looks beautiful.
Just the thing to keep the wife amused in the kitchen! Keep up the good work, N. |
27th Jan 2021, 2:53 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,108
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Looks like the scale plate also has dezincification, separation of the copper and zinc, can make things fragile if it's advanced. Interesting that it seems to be marked up in %, and has no 'overwinding'- i'm sure some that i've seen can give around 270v from 240v input..?
Dave |
27th Jan 2021, 3:21 pm | #7 | |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,587
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Quote:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/variacs/8902897/ RS do larger sizes too. Worked well on my Lyons Variac. Alan |
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27th Jan 2021, 6:28 pm | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Manchester, UK.
Posts: 1,875
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Hey, they’re nice and cheap. If I’m ever back in work I’ll sneak a couple onto an order.
Thanks Mark edit - and yes, this is a 100L which apparently only went up to the supply voltage and not beyond. Hey, it’s a gift-horse
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"The best dBs, come in 3s" - Woody Brown |
28th Jan 2021, 9:45 am | #9 |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 648
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
That looks great Mark. Like most of my ‘junk’ I’ve carried that socket round the world (well round Europe anyway) for decades. It’s good to see it put to use at last!
Hugh |
28th Jan 2021, 11:48 am | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,108
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
- and it's got the military mark so the variac gets an upgrade!
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28th Jan 2021, 12:24 pm | #11 |
Tetrode
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 93
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Re: Another old Lyons Variac
Nice job, I do like to see old technology restored.
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