The Test Gear
Before I could start working on a lot of the old tube gear, I needed some of the old test gear. I
took a year to restore a lot of this gear. I wish I had before photos of some of these, but I did not
have my nice digital camera then. The Precision 612 tube tester and the Spraque TO-5 were
very time comsuming to bring back, but worth every minute. I needed a AC variac in a bad way.
not finding any new ones I liked, I built my own using all new parts and a 1942 General Radio
2.5 amp variac that was still new in the box. It works great and is very small in size. All of my
gear is first given a new 3 wire power cord and fuse holder, Then it's on to capacitor and other
component replacement. All my testing gear have new DC filter capacitors (spraque/Vishay) and
all have new tubes. All the potentiometers and switches are well cleaned and lubricated. I did
not take everything apart for the pictures. The insides of these units are mint and squeeky clean.
I have full schematics and owners manuals for all of the test gear.
Would still like to find a nice old VTVM and a Hickok tube tester to restore.