More interesting finds in my Lab tidy up - By Fraser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 08:56:32 pm
content: As some may be aware, I have been carrying out a major tidy of my lab and sorting through all the electronic test equipment. It has been like Christmas every day, with me opening anonymous boxes and delving into my storage cupboards. All manner of electronics and test equipment has been discovered again. Some kit is even duplicated as I forgot I already had it !Some readers have enjoyed hearing about what I have discovered lurking in cupboards and boxes during this little Odyssey so I thought I would take some pictures of kit that I found today. I was aware of the existence of much of it but forgot where I had stored it ! Much will be rehomed at some point as I have not needed it for the past few years. I am cutting my lab back to the essential kit and some limited spares and duplication's.I include some of images of my newly tidied work benches. One is for SMT working and the other is for diagnostics and testing. I have deliberately removed much of the test equipment from the diagnostics bench as I will select what I need for a job from the storage shelves and cupboards rather than having it piled high on the bench all the time. The two hot air station on the RHS of the SMT bench are soon to be replaced with some better Xytronic LF852D units that I have, but they need to have new heaters and TRIACs fitted first. The ones pictured work well enough but the new units are much more powerful 600W types and heat up much faster. I have some really nice PACE hot air stations as well but they also need new heaters and they cost £400 each so I am working on fitting a cheaper heater to them. The DC3 Dakota models are two of many that I own. The DC3 is my favorite cargo aircraftThe Felix clock? ........ I like cats so liked this clockHaving watched Louis Rossman working on laptop PCB's whilst viewing the schematics on a computer monitor in front of him, I have decided to do the same using a Dell All-in-One PC that I recently rebuilt and pimped to provide decent performance. It will enable me to view schematics and data sheets etc whilst working on a board. This hopefully removes the need for large paper schematics. The PC is internet connected so I will be able to live search for data on parts. An added advantage of having the PC in front of me will be the easy connection and use of a really nice quality video microscope that I have for PCB inspection. I have been waiting to deploy that microscope in the lab for some time. I now have the room to do so.The various USB based logic analyZers I have will also display their data via the PC screen. Its a nice solution for my PC and display needs.I hope you enjoy the pictures. If you see something and you think "why the hell did he buy that piece of junk ?" ....I was likely thinking the same thing when I found it today ! An example is a really dodgy looking hot air gun that has everything built into the handle. I think I bought it to shrink heat shrink tubing as I sure would not use it for PCB rework ! I use a craft hot air gun for heat shrink these days. Works like a charmTake my advice..... do not hoard kit as one day you have the nightmare job of sorting through it allFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:02:38 pm
content: Test Equipment pictures begin.......The "Road Warrior" kit was used whilst overseas to, Umm 'modify' hotel telephone lines for alternate purposes

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:05:53 pm
content: Pics continuedThere is a probe style complete spectrum analyser in this set. Capable of use up to 100MHz and it connects to an oscilloscope for the display.Neat bit of kit.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:08:12 pm
content: More.....

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:13:55 pm
content: More......The POS hot air gun is in this set !I must have once liked the Velleman HPS10 as I found three of them, New and unused !

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:17:04 pm
content: More....Some nice meters here. All remain unused in my lab sadly.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:19:54 pm
content: More.......

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:22:36 pm
content: More......Getting near the end now

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:25:39 pm
content: More.......The final set from today's clear out.Some nice ITT/Metrix analogue meters in this set.That is all for now folks. I will add more pictures as the sort out progresses.Fraser

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:40:56 pm
content: So many unused sponges!

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:42:35 pm
content: It looks like you're making impressive progress with your rehabilitation.At least you've got a few days before the lawn needs cutting.

author: BFX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 10:03:31 pm
content: Quote from: FraserMan, you are really crazyAnd I think you already started the combat for your collection

author: Nuno_pt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 10:08:59 pm
content: It never ends, your equipment are like rabbits, they grow everywhere you look.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 10:12:48 pm
content: Joeqsmith,Yes, all new sponges, several new stands and some new Pace PS90 irons. I have had all the new kit waiting to be installed but waited for the day that I had a good clear out. Both workbenches have been reconfigured as part of the tidy up.In case anyone is wondering, the following soldering/desoldering equipment is present.PACEST115 Desoldering stations with SX80 handpiece Qty 2 + spare base unitST30 with PS-90 soldering Iron Qty 2ST50 with PS-90 soldering iron Qty 2MP-1 Portable desoldering stationHS200 Heatwave pre-heaterVF-100 solder removal gun (for cleaning SMT pads) Qty 2OK InternationalSA1002 Hot Tweezers for SMT Qty 2SMT-1160 Hot Air PencilW.E.P862D+ Hot air stationAoyue852 Hot air station853 pre-heaterI have more soldering and desoldering kit that I can call upon but I wanted to limit what was on the bench to a reasonable selection of daily use stations.Fraser

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 03:30:45 am
content: Fascinating reading and looking at all the variety of gear you have accumulated over 'the years'. And going by the pics they all look to be excellent specimens too, (not including the heat gun!).I salute you having the motivation to move them out for others to enjoy, If it were me I'm sure I would think "hmmm I might still need that......one sunny day".

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 03:52:52 am
content: Drool...My god man... You must have invested a lifetimes earnings into T&M equipment alone...

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 03:53:04 am
content: Hmm, is it wrong that my favorite item is the Felix clock?

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 05:39:41 am
content: Those fluke Hydra's are neat pieces of gear, and that TTi Scopemaster is intriguing.

author: Fortran
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 03:58:21 pm
content: The WMD-1S makes me all fuzzy inside.I've needed one far too long.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 04:51:47 pm
content: Fraser, if you don't mind considering shipping to Germany I would be interested in a list of the items you have for sale. When listing frequency counters please (if possible) give the number of digits during normal operation.There should be a PM in your Inbox with my email address.German_EE

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 05:05:17 pm
content: Fraser, nice stuff, and I guess most of it was bought with your own money or at a certain non open disposal outlet. I love the clock, and my sister would love one as well, so onto fleabay I will go looking for one for her. 6 months, so should be here for her birthday.Lovely collection of near new stuff there, and certainly likely to get new use though I have a liking for the Polar and the Huntrons myself, just the shipping will be a killer.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 06:50:48 pm
content: Hi SeanB,All bought with my own money, mostly from ebayIt felt really good to clear it all out of the lab. I realise now that I do not need so many duplicates or equipment that duplicates a capabilityI am processing it all at a steady pace and have made very good progress over the past few weeks. Our large spare bedroom in the house has become the rehoming staging area ! My wife is actually very patient with me and is enjoying seeing me sorting the stuff out at last. As my finance manager she is being pretty strict on me giving stuff away so the disposal stage is still being planned. Ebay is looking to be the preferred process as I have professional help on offer and I do not have to research the lowest sensible market value, the bidders set that for meI am open to request and offers on kit but at the moment it has to be low hassle for me as my M.E. makes me selfish with my time.Fraser

author: eugenenine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 08:03:03 pm
content: I had a Tektronix 212 years ago that was stolen. Been wanting to replace it ever since. I wouldn't have any idea what to offer though.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 08:14:11 pm
content: Hi,Sorry to hear that bad news.I do not have a good idea of individual values and have been inundated with requests for fixed prices on all manner of equipment.It has all been a bit much if I am honest so I have decide to sell everything via ebay where the items will achieve a value that the market decides rather than me. A lot less stress for me. As stated, I will still entertain reasonable offers, but there will be no prices from me. SorryFraser

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 12:44:49 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on May 30, 2016, 08:14:11 pmI can imagine selling this amount of equipment isn't going to be easy. I just hope the friend who is going to help you sell the equipment also makes the auctions available to (at least) Europe. Still I'd very much prefer to have a 'buy it now / make offer' listing over bidding. The last couple of years I have not bought anything from Ebay through bidding because waiting for the auction to end and put a bid in is just too much hassle. With some patience a better deal will turn up shortly.

author: woodchips
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 08:31:05 am
content: My goodness! You have been spending money.Good luck with the selling via ebay, wonder how much will actually sell? One thing I discovered is that it is far easier to buy on ebay than sell, the other person has to do the packing!Still wonder how you managed to fit it all in a house?

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 10:10:57 am
content: This thread is like a treadmill for the philosophical muscles. All the nice test equipment, and me with no money at all atm. It's either cultivate a detached attitude, or burst into tears. Despite already having my own 'too much stuff' problem.Ah well, that's life.Fraser, one thing worries me. Why are you retiring so early, if you don't mind me asking?Hope it's not a health issue. It doesn't sound like you are retiring due to having a vault full of money.Sorry if you've mentioned the reason before, and I missed (or forgot) it.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 10:31:15 am
content: Wilfred,Thank you for your Sage words. eBay gives everybody interested an opportunity to own the kit that I no longer need. It also removes the problem of setting a fair selling price as you say. As a hardened buyer, rather than seller, it is actually very hard for me to set selling prices as that involves research on current values. I would rather set a minimum and let others set the value. I cannot think of anything fairer than that and I cannot then be accused of overpricing kit which is not my intention. I may have to pay fees etc but at least it takes the pressure off of me.For those who seem surprised at the amount of kit I have accumulated..... remember I am 48 and have been working in electronics since age 7.... that is a lot of time to accumulate kit ! With regard to storage space.... it has been tight ! My bachelor pad was a three bedroom house + Garden lab, with just me in itI married a wonderful girl and we live in a four bedroom house. Two guest bedrooms remain spotless fro guests and the 'office' has a mixture of computer, electronic and thermal camera technology in its cupboards. A double garage, Deluxe Garden Office and large garden shed provide the storage space for the kit.Removing the excess equipment from storage has been very cathartic and I am pleased to have got on top of the situation. My lab has never looked so tidy and spacious except when first built 10 years ago !It will also be good to recover some of the money invested in all the equipment. What I have detailed here and in other threads detailing my clear-out is only around 30% of the kit I have......a clear out was long overdue. I could be a retail outlet with all the stock I hold !For those thinking I have ore money than sense....maybe.... but my hobby kept me sane when I had a VERY demanding and responsible job. For that it was worth every penny. I have not spent as much as some may think on the kit. I have a knack for finding amazing bargains, buying kit with faults and repairing them. I did spend a lot of money on thermal imaging but that is in more recent times when I was earning more.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 10:48:13 am
content: TerraHertz,Sadly my early retirement is due to health issues. I got very ill 5 years ago and after recovering was left with M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) for the last 4 years. I was working a 16 hour week due to the M.E but was burning myself out trying to achieve what others do in a 42 hour week. As already stated, I had an important specialist role so my management were willing to accept any hours that I could offer them without complaint. They were a good employer and wanted to hold on to my skill set.I decided it was better to retire in order to concentrate on my health. Without that you have no quality of life. I am very pleased to say that after 15 months away form the 'pressure cooker' of my previous role I have seen significant improvement in my health, hence my ability to carry out the major clear-outYou could say that this is the start of a new and hopefully wonderful chapter in my life now that i know what is important. For me that is .... my wonderful Wife, Family, Health, pets, and friends, with my hobbies the lowest priority, as such are nothing without the joy created by the more important elements of life.I may do some part time consultancy work in due course depending upon how my health continues to improve. I am in the enviable position of being retired at 48 with decent finances and able to choose if I want to do some part time consultancy work. For me that is a pretty good lifestyle.We shall seeThanks for taking an interestFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 12:29:19 pm
content: More excellent advice from you Wilfred. love the idea of packing materials from shops.... I have several that know will help on that frontYou never know, I might end up enjoying ebay selling and becoming an ebay traderBest Wishes and THANK YOUFraser

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 08:20:21 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on May 31, 2016, 12:29:19 pmHaving spent the last few years doing that, I can only recommend that you avoid it.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 05:17:52 am
content: EBay is a double edged sword. It treats sellers with disdain and buyers as saints. The saving grace for many is the products in which they deal attract buyers with greater moral fibre.However, with such an awareness and suitable precautions it can be a worthwhile endeavour.As for the kit I see in your photos - I can but sigh. There are several things that I could happily add to my bench - but justification would be difficult, even for bargain prices.It is good to hear your health has responded well to the change of direction. Health and family are the main things of worth in life.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 03:24:35 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on May 31, 2016, 10:48:13 amNice to hear you're doing better.Hope your health continues to improve to full recovery, and enjoy the time with your family.Hopefully, EEVBlog & a less cluttered bench to work on will help keep you enjoyably occupied in electronics.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:37:01 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on May 31, 2016, 10:48:13 amSorry to hear that.About chronic fatigue syndrome, I hope you are actively researching causes and treatments yourself? Not just assuming doctors will know what they are doing, and will be acting in your interests as opposed to the pharmaceutical industry's interests.Google chronic fatigue syndrome mitochondria damage, for starters. Were you aware of the connection between CFS and mitochondrial impairment? As for potential causes of damage to mitochondria, there are many.Then google anticholinergic medications mitochondria. Recall the medications used when you were ill 5 years ago, and google them re known mitochondrial damage.Plenty of surprises. Here's one surprise I came across recently:http://www.naturalnews.com/053835_OTC_medication_cognitive_impairment_anticholinergic_drugs.htmlQuoteEntirely agree. Or no life at all, if you push yourself too hard.I hope you fully recover. Best to remember that doctors and the medical industry are not really interested in 'curing' anyone. Better for them to keep patients just well enough to keep paying the bills.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 12:25:53 pm
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on June 02, 2016, 11:37:01 amI've read a lot of your posts, blog and website and have an amount of respect for your knowledge in certain fields but that website needs Dave's bullshit button applying loudly and repeatedly.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 12:55:23 pm
content: Quote from: CJay on June 02, 2016, 12:25:53 pmNaturalnews.com?Care to be specific? What issues they cover do you consider to be bullshit? Considering they cover a huge range of topics, it's hard to guess what you're complaining about. Are you proposing that mention of the site should not be permitted at all?Of course, as with all websites one should *always* apply commonsense filtering.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 02:40:32 pm
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on June 02, 2016, 12:55:23 pmWhile I agree completely that common sense filter needs to be engaged, the kind of rubbish they're spouting makes me feel I wouldn't trust anything they said.They're anti vax, electrosensitive, homeopathic loons, articles claiming links between electrosensitivity and all sorts of dreadful afflictions, diabetes, autism, cancer, for instance.Articles like this (and many, many others):http://www.naturalnews.com/022926.htmlwhich claim using halogen lights is bad for your health and fluorescents shouldn't be used because they've got mercury in them reveals how ridiculous they are.Oh, but by some happy coincidence, they happen to sell all sorts of products that can help you mitigate the effects of today's 'toxic' environment.I call bullshit.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 02:53:47 pm
content: Thanks for sharing very cool Thread.