SOLD: (US) Keithley 6487 Picoammeter / Voltage Source + triax / cables / probe

[neverendingstudent]

Update 2025-Dec-3: Sold via eBay.

Just finished the last bits of testing and have it up on eBay currently, though can consider selling it through other means to known forum members (new accounts with 1 post are... not eligible).

EBay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/257085291503

I can sell it for less through the forum since that would bypass eBay fees of course.  May be able to ship worldwide (mostly) - would largely depend on discussion of shipping costs and if there are any restrictions to a given country.

Tested, working properly, full details with pictures and video in my eBay listing.

Comes with a neat resistance probe made for this kind of meter by Electro-Tech Systems.  Has a triax cable, though Electro-Tech modified it.

$2500 on eBay.  $2200 for a buyer here if purchasing with Paypal and covering the Paypal fees (I think that would be 2.5% so an extra $55).  Edit: eh, nevermind about the Paypal fees, it isn't enough to worry over.

[exe]

Ah, ebay suggested me it a couple of time. It looks like you did a great care of the instrument. Too bad I cannot justify buying it.

[neverendingstudent]

Yeah, it's a fairly expensive and specialized instrument.  I knew when I picked it up at auction it would probably sit for a year or so before selling.  If / when I get around to building my version 3 electronics workbench (bigger, better, to fit more stuff) maybe I'll end up keeping it... maybe.  It is a very nice-to-have instrument, but I don't need the specific capabilities it offers all that often, at least not yet.  Thus, up for sale.

[exe]

For me, I'm also motivated to build a DIY electrometer. If I buy yours, I won't be motivated(.

Good luck with sale!

[neverendingstudent]

For me, I'm also motivated to build a DIY electrometer. If I buy yours, I won't be motivated(.

Good luck with sale!

Ambitious.  If you have interest in this: I have a parts/repair status old Keithley 610C electrometer.  It was shipped to me with less than ideal care and the transformer was banged loose and pulled the power connection wires off the boards.  If I remember correctly the boards themselves are miraculously undamaged.  I'd sell it for pretty cheap if you are interested in putting your motivation towards repair vs full ground-up build.

[Hydron]

If by electrometer you primarily mean a picoammeter then it's pretty straightforward to build a single range unit with an analogue output - there's a thread about doing exactly this on the forum. It gets trickier once you want to measure voltage over the range of a few hundred volts while maintaining a high input Z - gotta use bootstrapping and high voltage supplies for in the input buffer (also applies if you want to make a traditional current-source voltage-measure resistance meter with a large compliance voltage range).

[exe]

Yeah, I build picoammeters, I measure leakages.

@neverendingstudent , that's tempting, but I think shipment and taxes will kill it for me. Ebay says it's about $200 delivery to the Netherlands for similar-sized items. Plus taxes(. Anyway, what would be delivery cost? Also, may be you have some photos? Who knows, may be other folks on this forum might be interested in restoration.

[neverendingstudent]

I just made a test label with Pirateship, assuming a 12x12x8 inch box and 5lbs (sorry for non-metric) and UPS Worldwide Expedited gave me a quote of just under $70.  As for the device itself I'd probably sell it for $100.

I have no idea if / what VAT or import taxes apply for the receiving party in your country though.  When filling out the customs portion the closest code I could find was "HS 9030.82.0000".  The address I used for a test label was a gym on Google Maps: Sint Hubertusstraat 2, 6531 LB Nijmegen, Netherlands

Pictures of it attached.

[exe]

Hey, I'm still on the verge about it. It's tempting, but I think I'll pass this time. Without fixtures it's not directly useful for me anyway. Thanks for the offer!

[neverendingstudent]

Bump.