(AUS) Second hand test gear for setting up a home lab? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Drewboy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 07:58:53 am
content: Hi,First time poster, but have been very much enjoying the eev blog and forum for a year or so now. I'm also a second year EE student interested in setting up a home lab.I found this old thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/electronics-flea-markets-swap-meets-(australia)/Wyong Field day was mentioned, has anyone been recently? Would it be a good place to pick up an analogue scope/benchtop power supply/waveform gen/DMM etc? I'm not into amateur radio but love old electronics.Generally, I haven't had much luck looking for second hand stuff online (eBay mostly), there appears to be a lot of speculators on oscilloscopes especially ($$$, powers up, not tested further, sold as is), also shipping to Australia usually kills any reasonably priced listings. I would love to hear how people within Australia go about sourcing their gear and any tips they might have (auctions, second hand dealers, pawn shops, tender centre, flea markets etc. Do any of these work?).After a lot of searching so far the best option seems to be cheap-o new equipment (e.g. Rigol scope, mastech power supply) it just seems a shame, I rather like older electronics and the idea of reusing stuff that might otherwise end up in landfill or gather dust appeals to me.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 08:18:50 am
content: The Wyong field day is next weekend!See my previous video for the types of gear there. They didn't seem that cheap to me, but at least you can scratch'n'sniff before you buy.I'm thinking about taking all my auction gear down and trying to flog it, but not sure if it's worth the effort.I get most of my stuff on ebay, you just have to hang out for overseas seller who offer cheap international shipping.

author: Drewboy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 08:28:49 am
content: I was quite surprised. I sat down to look at what electronics markets exist in Australia and lo and behold the only one in Australia is on next weekend! I too am trying to gauge if it will be worth it, I'm based in northern NSW (5 mins shy of the Qld border) so the travel time would be non trivial.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 08:34:28 am
content: Quote from: Drewboy on February 16, 2014, 08:28:49 amMake up your mind:I expect similar again this time. I'm told it's not as good as it once was. You have to get there early for the flea market / car boot sales. They are all mostly gone by midday.Realistically the petrol will probably cost the same as shipping from an international seller.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 08:48:56 am
content: Quote from: Drewboy on February 16, 2014, 07:58:53 amThe majority are silly priced, but some are reasonable like this:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tektronix-2445-Analog-Oscilloscope-/231149951559?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item35d19c5a47&_uhb=1The weak aussie dollar does not help.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 09:04:03 am
content: I have had moderate success with eBay, I have stuck with gear that I can get full manuals, schematics. Unless really cheap avoid 'as is'.The manual requirements tends to put me in with HP/Agilent, often their gear 5-10yr old that is still going well but depreciated a fair bit. You have to be patient at times and quick off the mark at others.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 09:12:04 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 16, 2014, 08:48:56 amYou think the AUD is weak? Try the ZAR. 11 to 1 and worsening.

author: Drewboy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 09:27:58 am
content: Thanks Dave and VK5RC. Regarding eBay and buying internationally, have either of you had any experience with eBay's "Global Shipping Program"? I believe US sellers ship locally to a processing centre in Kentucky who then handles the forwarding of it internationally, opening up "US only" sales to the rest of the world.I've heard of it being a rort for sending to some countries (excessive customs fees) but apparently it results in quite reasonable cost shipping to Australia. If you have any firsthand experience I'd love to hear about it (Price, timeframes etc).

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 09:42:25 am
content: Quote from: Drewboy on February 16, 2014, 08:28:49 amThere's more than one ham swap meet in Aus, but unless you know where to look you'd struggle to know it (e.g. there used to be one at a local school every year, yet neither my partner who works there nor my father who lives a couple of streets away had ever heard about it). There's a reasonable, but probably incomplete, list for SE Qld / N NSW on theVK4ICEwebsite (scroll down).Apologies in advance to any hams I may upset, but I've gotta say I've never been impressed with either the range of stuff for sale or the people selling it (e.g. the one time I did find a reasonable bargain the guy refused to sell it to me because I was neither a ham nor known to anyone there!). They're not all like that - I do know a few active hams locally who are good people - but that kind of attitude does seem to be rather prevalent, at least amongst the local groups.All in all, waiting and watching eBay for a bargain is probably a better bet.

author: Drewboy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 10:08:23 am
content: Tac Eht Xilef, thanks for the additional info, very much appreciated. I thought it was a little odd that I couldn't find any others, turns out they're not much into SEO so I didn't finding them with a cursory google.I think I might forego the 8hr trip to Wyong and try some of these more local meetups instead. As suggested, will keep my eye on eBay too.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 10:09:20 am
content: Quote from: Drewboy on February 16, 2014, 09:27:58 amNo idea about the ebay program, but I have a US address through a shipping company for rare stuff. But the shipping is very expensive so you have to be desperate.I just search for the lowest price shipping (usually USPS I believe) and they ship it. Never had an issue.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 10:34:18 am
content: Quote from: Tac Eht Xilef on February 16, 2014, 09:42:25 amWith respect,itisa Hamfest,& the majority of stuff will be Transceivers & the like.Test Equipment is quite peripheral,so there normally won't be tables full of Oscilloscopes.etc.As I said on another occasion,it's like a River's ad---"There may be lots,there may be none!"The Perth Hamfest often has non-Ham people turn up,& the only case where you may be queried is if you are looking to buy Transmitting equipment & don't have a licence.I bought my Tek 7613 at the Hamfest a few years back for $135---I haven't really seen anything on eBay.au which was as good a deal,especially when you factor in postage from the ES.There are a couple of organisations on eBay.au who post ludicrous prices for old gear---for example,$350 for a BWD 509!

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 10:45:28 am
content: No idea about the eBay program as I have not used it.Yesterday I got a HP 6644 60V 3A PSU for 270 incl post. I was happy as it is still in production and for sale new at AUS ~2,000.fromhttp://stores.ebay.com.au/tekdragonstore/Bizarrely I think sometimes you get the best deals from a general electronics used dealer than some of the specific electronic T&M ones but the risk goes up with higher end equipment.Good Hunting.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 11:01:54 am
content: I think hat global shipping is a tie in with fedex or ups & ebay. My mother has used it once, where the parcel was destroyed at request of shipper. Neither she or seller knew anything about it, until we queried tracking message.She ended up contacting paypal for non delivery. Seller needs to chase up insurance via ebay etc.I suspect that if the item is over 1,000$aud they know they need to collect duty, and will bill you administrative fee on top.Ive noticed amazon now collects this upfront too.---Not sure what happens to surplus equipment in Australia. Ive only seen the local tafe, and not sure they ever throw things away. Suspect a lot of equipment just sits in storage as spares etc.Its not like computer parts, which are leased or turn over often every few years. Good reliable equipment seems to keep on ticking, or be repaired.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 12:03:39 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on February 16, 2014, 10:34:18 amThere are many people in Oz who simply won't buy from overseas, so gear always goes for more here. But yeah, there are some silly prices.Like this old 5000 series Rigol for $500:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RIGOL-Digital-Oscilloscope-DS-5102MA-/301097828242The classic 1052E is better, smaller, and cheaper brand new.I've made a decent amount of money over the years buying and selling test gear on ebay.I usually buy from overseas and then resell locally.I have a TDS220 listed for $199 at the moment. A pretty reasonable price I think, but I know it will go for more, the going rate here seems to be about $350 and there are currently 23 watchers.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 12:07:21 pm
content: For analog fans, this nice Tek 2445 is going for $299 in Oz, that's US prices.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tektronix-2445-Oscilloscope-4-CH-150-MHz-Tested-Working-/291079369751

author: Drewboy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 12:17:31 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 16, 2014, 12:07:21 pmI was considering that one. Not sure what to make of the "horizontal deflection is slightly unstable" detail in the product description though, guess thats where the "scratch & sniff" element of buying in person comes in handy.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 12:56:44 pm
content: Quote from: Drewboy on February 16, 2014, 09:27:58 amIt's through a company called Pitney Bowes. I had a bunch of reasonably heavy server power supplies shipped through it and the prices were very reasonable. Shipment for the international part of it was pretty quick as well. When you pay via paypal, you actually pay the US shipper for the item price + local US shipping the pitney bowes distribution hub. The rest of the payment goes directly to PB for the international shipping.I actually had two shipments of PSUs from two different sellers, and it was a great experience overall. I'd definitely recommend it for Aussie buyers. You get proper package tracking the whole way from seller to PB to you.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 12:58:39 pm
content: I watched this one go the other day Dave;TDS1012B, I reckon if that fella can get $305 for that, looking like that, $350 should be cakewalk for you Stone the Flamin' Crows! You can get a Brand SpankinDS1052Efor $340 Delivered!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 01:49:03 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on February 16, 2014, 10:34:18 amWithout wishing to derail the thread further, I was thinking of the many times over the years I've gone to local hamfests/boot sales looking for old transcievers to part out, receivers to repair and use, radio test gear, and to just browse and maybe pick up some random connectors, old books and manuals, or other bits and bobs. What I found was retail dealers selling new stuff, people selling second-hand stuff at not very good prices, and a lot of utter junk (e.g. gear totally stripped of anything worthwhile) at ridiculous prices. But, as I said, that was local hamfests - not anything big like Wyong.Quote from: vk6zgo on February 16, 2014, 10:34:18 amIn the case I mentioned it was an old RF millivoltmeter (with probe, which is why I was interested). And it wasn't a query, it was a flat-out "I'm not selling that unless you can prove you're licenced or someone here will vouch for you" as I picked it up to look at it...I dunno, maybe I'd just struck someone having a bad day. It happens. All I can say is that case - and more than a few others like it over the years - have left a bad taste in my mouth.Not looking for an argument - as I said before I know plenty of hams who aren't like that - and this really isn't the right place for an extended discussion.Drewboy, remember to watch for mis-spellings too. Picked up a nice R5000 for stupid-cheap a couple of years ago because someone couldn't spell "Kenwood", "communications", or "receiver"

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 12:08:43 am
content: Tac, I could understand his comment if you were trying to buy a transceiver. But a millivolt meter? That's just a cranky old ham, regardless of his age. Unfortunately, not too uncommon these days. Common civility, along with common sense, seems to have left the building. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't go home with it and grumbled that he didn't sell enough. I won't sell a transmitter/transceiver to anyone not licensed, but test gear? As long as your money is the right color and we can agree on a price, we will do the deal.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 12:24:49 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on February 16, 2014, 12:38:37 pmI've never really done that, but it does make sense in some cases.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 12:26:28 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on February 16, 2014, 12:58:39 pmMy last TDS220 went for $342

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 02:26:05 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 17, 2014, 12:24:49 amI was in the market for one of those CNC routers, they were all going for 1200 or so dollars "Buy it now". Somebone did the .99c thing and it ended up going for just over 2 grand

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 03:35:19 am
content: Ok, 99cent auction:http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271404227340

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 03:53:06 am
content: MmmnnmmMMmm Crusty, great meter though. It was shiny when I bought it, still use it daily.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 03:55:41 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 17, 2014, 03:35:19 amWell, it only took 5 minutes before someone bid.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 06:54:10 am
content: Quote from: Tac Eht XilefSome Hams (more commonly in the USA than in this country),get quite "aggro" at the thought of people buying radios,parting them out then selling the parts.Admittedly,there are some "vultures" who make a big thing of this,buying radios in perfect operating condition & selling the parts at a substantial "markup".This has two effects:(1) It reduces the number of functional secondhand radios on the market,pushing up prices.(2) It makes refurbishing of existing radios more expensive.I'm not suggesting that you are one of the "vultures" referred to,but maybe some people have incorrectly assumed you are.Demanding you show a Ham licence is a bit silly,as some of the "vultures" are licenced Hams.

author: Weez
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2014, 01:55:01 pm
content: Quote from: Tac Eht XilefAnd, it doesn't really prove anything anyway, since it's very easy to get a license nowadays.

author: jokkydee
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 02:32:28 am
content: Quote from: nowlan on February 16, 2014, 11:01:54 amI used to work for Codan Limited (Adelaide based electronics manufacturer), and they would have internal auctions for all their surplus equipment. I picked up an old analog scope for $2 and put it straight on ebay. Also picked up a vintage HF/Audio signal generator for $3, served me well for a few years and soon I'll be putting it on ebay in coming weeks. They also auctioned off soldering irons, drill presses, laptops, you name it. It was anabsolutegold mine.