General > General Technical Chat
eBay T & M Selling Prices ?
tggzzz:
--- Quote from: Chris56000 on February 01, 2024, 01:47:25 am ---. . .That's a very fair selling price for that Oscilloscope, but "Ask Seller For A Postage Quote!" is an instant red flag for someone outside the U.S., like I am – it usually means either the seller simply won't want to know or it'll be something absolutely crazy, nearer four figures than three!
(U.K. sellers seemed to have a lot of reasonably priced T & M but within the last six months in particular the prices have gone silly!)
--- End quote ---
Sure, there are many "red flags"; caveat emptor and all that.
As for increased prices in the last 6 months - have the selling prices increased? If so, then the sellers are right and you just have to deal with it.
--- Quote ---
--- Quote ---Parts or not working, 2000 dollar, 1000 dollar shipping, import tax and vat not included, no accessories, no returns, photo made by a Nokia phone from 2002. That's how they list an oscilloscopes.
--- End quote ---
(Apart from that nonsense, it seems to be more and more common to stick up a "Photo To Follow Soon!" – are they frightened of truthfully describing an over–priced robbed wreck?!)
I have bought a lot of T & M from the U.S. with no issues and I've far more things damaged from U.K. sellers due to careless couriers than from the U.S. – U.S. sellers who advertise international shipping pack things far more carefully!
It's the shortage of cheap "parts mules" that's getting far more of a problem now – I need a couple of Tek knobs for a '468 but I can't justify spending over £200–£300 on a 3D printer just for two knobs!
--- End quote ---
"Photo to follow soon" is ridiculous. The only possible justification (and I use that word loosely) is that they wanted to place an ad before the time limit on an "80% off selling fees" offer expired.
As for 3D printing your own knobs, by far the best way is to get someone else to do the printing:
* cheaper, down to <£5
* variety of materials, not just crappy PLA. I like sintered nylon (tough, flexible) and SLA (smooth, hard, fine resolution), or gold, brass, ceramic, ....
* no continual fettling with your own machine
Start by looking at ShapeWays (many materials, but not cheap) or competitors, or DirtyPCBs (SLA stunningly cheap)
SLA ~10cm*5cm, £15 inc P&P, 2mm thread works perfectly!
PLA, yellow sintered nylon £15 for two inc P&P, white SLA £5 for two inc P&P
FFI:
https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2016/09/11/renovating-a-tektronix-p6013a-12kv-100khz-scope-probe/
https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/scope-probe-accessory-improves-signal-fidelity/
chilternview:
--- Quote from: tggzzz on February 01, 2024, 09:09:22 am ---Start by looking at ShapeWays (many materials, but not cheap) or competitors, or DirtyPCBs (SLA stunningly cheap)
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Fascinating, I guess they need accurate drawings (dxf?) - how are you generating those?
tggzzz:
--- Quote from: chilternview on February 01, 2024, 10:08:49 am ---
--- Quote from: tggzzz on February 01, 2024, 09:09:22 am ---Start by looking at ShapeWays (many materials, but not cheap) or competitors, or DirtyPCBs (SLA stunningly cheap)
--- End quote ---
Fascinating, I guess they need accurate drawings (dxf?) - how are you generating those?
--- End quote ---
They need .stl files https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STL_(file_format) There are many tools for generating and checking .stl files. Upload the .stl files and the websites will give you a quote in each material, plus do a DRC on your design [1].
OpenSCAD suits the way I think: "machining" by adding and subtracting spheres, cuboids, cylinders etc etc. There are many alternatives better suited to different purposes, e.g. "pinching and squeezing" artistic models like head-and-shoulders busts.
Look for tools with available parameterised libraries; I wouldn't have wanted to create that screwthread myself!
There are many websites containing .stl files which you can copy or buy, e.g. thingiverse.
I'm sure there are many .stl models of tek knobs available.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/replacement-knobs-feet-and-fittings-for-test-equipment/msg2255136/#msg2255136/
[1] e.g. gold £6511+ :)
BrokenYugo:
Same reason you can't buy WW2 aircraft radios for $5 anymore, due to it's nature, cheap surplus NEVER lasts. It was cheap because there was a big pile of it the seller wanted rid of, once the pile is gone so are the deals.
I'll hazard a guess the only deals left on this sort of thing are the last day of a hamfest or similar electronics flea market event. You want to pick up a CRT scope anyway, too delicate to ship for a reasonable price.
tggzzz:
--- Quote from: BrokenYugo on February 01, 2024, 02:58:17 pm ---You want to pick up a CRT scope anyway, too delicate to ship for a reasonable price.
--- End quote ---
They are shippable, with care. Start by following the manufacturer's instructions.
If none, foam between front panel switches/knobs (so any impact transmitted to frame), multiple layers of bubble wrap (to spread impact across frame), tight fitting cardboard box, bouncy foam rubber supports, strong cardboard box. The last two crumple to absorb/deaden impacts.
Takes time and adds weight - but can be done.
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