Tek 7000-Series pushbuttons - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Gianni
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 05:52:52 pm
content: Hi Guys,I like to restore old Tek 7000-Series scopes. I ask you some suggestions related to pushbuttons.I noted that the writing is very light and that almost any cleaner destroy them easily. Now I clean them with just water and a swab and then apply some transparent coating to protect them. I am considering creating water slides with a printer and then applying them. Has someone an experience in that?Second question: how do you clean them? Deoxit? Isopropyl? Any other suggestion?Thank you very much.

author: Inside21
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 07:44:48 pm
content: I wash the instrument cases and front panels with hot water, a brush and soap

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 08:46:41 pm
content: Quote from: Gianni on August 01, 2022, 05:52:52 pmWelcome to the forum.See here for nearly every trick under the sun for restoring instruments to their former glory.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/vintageclassic-renovation-techniques/

author: Gianni
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 09:20:27 pm
content: Wow! Fantastic, there is a mine!THANKS!

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 07:39:32 am
content: Quote from: Gianni on August 01, 2022, 05:52:52 pmI clean the switch caps with dish soap and water.The switches are the wiping type so *must* be lubricated after cleaning or the contact surfaces will destroy themselves. I use MG Chemicals Super Contact Cleaner part number 801B which is a combined cleaner and lubricant.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 09:52:51 am
content: The old tek scopes have water slide transfers on the buttons. I learned that the hard way. I now just wipe around the edges of the buttons lightly.As for cleaning switches I use WD40 contact cleaner (not normal WD40!!!!) and then exercise the switches. It’s like deoxit but cheaper and leaves no residue as well.

author: Wrenches of Death
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 01:28:58 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on August 02, 2022, 09:52:51 amDon't forget the horizonal plug-ins!I've still got a 7B92A around here some where that I wiped the marked push buttons spotlessly "clean" on. That was probably twenty five years ago. A definate "duh" kind of learning moment.I can proudly say, it has only happened to me once!WoD

author: Gianni
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 05:38:45 pm
content: It happened to me last month and still whipping myself...Nobody tried to print water decals with a laser printer? I found a similar font and I would like to try...

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 06:56:23 pm
content: We had a discussion on here ages ago about that. Never went anywhere though.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2022, 09:33:00 pm
content: Quote from: Gianni on August 02, 2022, 05:38:45 pmThis question came up many years ago on the Tekscope email list and I believe they figured out what font Tektronix used.

author: Gianni
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2022, 06:40:28 am
content: Any idea on how to find it out? I am not very used with this kind of things...

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2022, 01:04:45 am
content: I did a search and I think the font on the 7000 series push-buttons is "Univers Condensed", or the bold version of the same font. There is some discussionhere.

author: Gianni
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2022, 03:39:06 pm
content: Thanks, very useful!

author: Gianni
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2022, 12:51:54 pm
content: I succeeded restoring those old worn keys! You can read the all story, with detailed photos, in my free book on Tek scopes (at pages 216-219).Here:http://www.k100.biz/parade.htm