When to part out perfectly functional boat anchors? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: octillion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2022, 05:57:17 pm
content: I'm looking for some validation here: When the value of components within obsolete equipment exceeds the going price of the equipment, and historic value is minimal, there's little reason to keep the equipment intact (barring some personal reason). Are there other metrics you go by?In particular, I have an HP 206A Audio Signal Generator that operates flawlessly. However, it takes up an entire shelf, weighs a ton, and I have plenty of other equipment that does the job. I rarely see these for sale, but there's one on eBay now that isn't selling, setting an upper bound on what I could expect to sell this for (with shipping taking a substantial cut). Stripping it for parts will yield some quality components, like multiple variable air capacitors (including two four-section capacitors, each section 12.4 - 535 pF), and fancy knobs.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2022, 06:01:56 pm
content: I reckon if you screwed a light bulb to the top of it and relisted it as upcycled steampunk it'd sell within the weekMore seriously, it's a fairly nice bit of kit and it has collector value. But you'd have to find the market for it. Worth advertising it on here. It'd be a shame to strip it for parts and I wouldn't do it myself.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2022, 07:14:31 pm
content: I would say when the front panel becomes cosmetically degraded to the point that it affects operation (that one looks in excellent condition). You often see stuff on ebay where the lettering has gone (not engrave and fill - that can be restored), heavily scratched, or where corrosion has set in, lifting the paint etc. I would class those as parts mules.Equipment with badly damage cabinets would probably come under the same category, unless replacements are easilly available.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2022, 07:35:13 pm
content: Yeah if it's in good cosmetic shape I'll give it to someone who wants to use or display it before I'll part it out. If it's beat up or damaged then I'm a lot more likely to part it out, especially if some of the parts are useful to restore more desirable gear.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 04:50:29 am
content: I agree; it would be a crime to part out this splendid instrument.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:31:12 am
content: Quote from: bob91343 on May 09, 2022, 04:50:29 amAlso a reminder: the bottom circle of hell is reserved for those who convert HP test gear into guitar amplifiers.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:57:23 am
content: I have this problem on a large scale, and not just with Boat Anchors. I am a terrible hoarder of test equipment. I am clearing out much of my excess kit and considered parting out some of it. I did so to a Advantest 4133 20GHz SA and it just felt wrong when doing it. I tried selling kit on here and eBay but the whole process became stressful. I am now listing the unwanted kit on my local town Facebook group for free to anyone with an interest in such kit and that sits better with me. I am giving the kit a new home and it will potentially be used by someone who needs it. They come to my drive and just pick it up for free. No hasslesWhat they do with it then is their business. Some may abuse the process and sell the kit on eBay but I hope at least some of the kit gets a worthy new home. I am putting together a complete set of test equipment for a local chap who wants to teach his 12 year old daughter electronics…. Now that is a worthy causeThis is the best solution for me but others have different views and needs. I just hate seeing good kit go to waste or landfill.

author: Miyuki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 09:19:42 am
content: Oh I have here one great boat anchorOld "portable" oscilloscope, it can run on mains or 12VDC (it internally converts mains to 12V and then feed it to early SMPS)It is a combination of transistor and vacuum tubesAnd have a super annoying power supply running at about 8kHz

author: jogri
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 01:53:05 pm
content: The "but it still looks good, it would be a shame to destroy it" mentality only works for so long, sooner or later you're at a point where you just don't have the space for all those instruments. Yes, it is perfectably usable and it might have value to a collector somewhere, but i personally just can't be bothered to locate that specific person.And in my opinion, this thing isn't special enough to be saved anyway. It's just an ancient sig gen with mediocre specs (compared to new sig gens) that's probably unrepairable as soon as one of the tubes die.If i have something that needs to go i'll list it on some forums and if i can't find a buyer after a few weeks it either gets stripped (if i can use some parts) or just thrown out. Might be a radical approach, but i'm not really a fan of ebay, especially when the thing is a boat anchor. I've gutted quite a bit of equipment over the years, probably everything from industrial laser to scopes and high end test equipment, the next candidate is probably one of my spec an and RF gens in a week or so since i doubt that someone would want a 60 kg boat anchor.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 07:28:59 pm
content: Realizing I have a pile of old equipment never use, should off. Like an mil surplus R-388A receiver, Tek 494P SPA, HP 8902, and other vintage gear of the era.I could cut none of it up.

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:46:17 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on May 09, 2022, 08:31:12 am

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 09:36:25 pm
content: Urf indeed.I was actually thinking this bastard however

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2022, 03:30:11 am
content: I certainly have my share of boat anchors I will never use. Anyone interested in such stuff, PM me.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2022, 12:29:26 pm
content: Bob, location?

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2022, 12:40:18 pm
content: Quote from: octillion on May 08, 2022, 05:57:17 pmThe problem with "parting out" the boat anchors is that, often, there's no demand for the parts either. :-( Theboat anchors often contain few neat looking parts such as the fancy knobs, meters and light pilots but how much demand is there for any of those these days? They use some of it for steam punk but other than some Ebay listings, I don't see much interest in that either.I grew up taking old equipment apart and sorting out the parts and saving them but after years of doing that I realized that I never used 98% of the parts so today I find that it's easier to leave the equipment intact and take out the parts as needed.

author: octillion
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2022, 12:57:01 pm
content: Quote from: bob91343 on May 10, 2022, 03:30:11 amOne man's boat anchor is another man's... bounty of test capabilities.Quote from: Stray Electron on May 10, 2022, 12:40:18 pmIn my case I actually have a use for the large variable capacitors (I have no intent to sell parts), in addition to my desire to clear out large stuff I'm not using. Similar capacitors don't go for cheap. Killing two birds (or one boat anchor).

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2022, 04:37:21 pm
content: I am in Los Angeles. Sorry, I should have said that.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2022, 09:08:33 am
content: I was just out that way. Managed to hit the TRW swap meet for the first time since early 2020, in the before times. Grabbed a baby Tek scope and an HP comb generator; both currently enroute home.-Pat

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2022, 03:43:24 pm
content: Frankly, I am still collecting. I have several things to unload but would rather trade than sell. I am a sucker for HP, GR, and several other old standby company products.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2022, 03:48:46 pm
content: I would say never, market demands change and who knows when the next youtube video that makes random stuff will be popular. If its something thats built well I would just keep it in storage and do checks for sale once in a while.Every time a HAM shack goes up, and someone wants to fill it up with stuff that works and has no real concern for space, this stuff gets sold. Some guy doing low frequency transmission does not care too much about 'outdated', the concern is gonna be reliability and ease of use, not specifications. And coolness factor.Are tubes and low bandwidths gonna bother some guy setting up a antenna in the boonies in the barn with old barbed wire? no way. Mouse resistance maybe. I consider that audio gen good shit, so long you have some space for it. That stuff is popular anyway, look at Mr Carlsons laboratory. He even restores consumer cheapo radios, let alone high value HP test equipment.,.and that community is huge.And restoring this instruments is fun and it gets electronics to people that have good mechanical skills with little finesse required for modern parts. There is a consumer market for people that think " i can keep that thing running with WD40 and not worry about the latest analog devices nanochip changing software configuration tree and shitty cooling fans'. And there is also the robustness factor, no worry about ESD, survive ugly loads, survive miswiring, quick replacement of tubes without soldering iron and cleaning and so forth. If you have a tube shelf and a automatic screw driver you can get a broke old test equipment running in like 1 minute in the freezing cold and dark with no other tools or tests or inspections. And its robust in rural areas with poor electrical systems that do crazy shit, can survive misbehaving generators, good with lightning, etc. Try replacing some screws with thumbscrews and you don't need a screw driver even.Infinitely better then "submit quote RFQ" for 80's parts.I love getting cracked-in-half esoteric processors from island nations embedded in styrofoam packing peanuts for 'moderner' equipment after 4 week delay and at least 4 emails and 2 phone conversations. Starts to feel like you need a legal department for the god damn hobby. DIP40's from Samoa are NOT the answer.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2022, 05:11:01 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on May 08, 2022, 06:01:56 pmOh aye, polish up a few copper pipe fittings, find a place to fit a couple of nixies and you're on a winner.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2022, 05:27:28 pm
content: That’s reminds me of this gemhttps://youtu.be/TFCuE5rHbPA

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2022, 10:51:15 pm
content: I would say the attenuator and less then -60dbm of distortion make it a quality instrument, I don't see anything steam about it.Plus you set output impedance and have a measurement of output voltage on the front panel. Those are kind of unique capabilities, selectable attenuation AND output impedance is nice. And the ground is selectable. I would say for no nonsense audio (120db thd... do we need it?) its good. Crappy benchtop function generators are generally 30-40 db and don't have a nice attenuator like that, and almost never impedance select. You get a crappy 1 turn potentiometer and a button if you are lucky.