Repair / 'bodge' of HP 3468A with No Amp Fuse Holder (5061-1163)

[VK5RC]

There are quite a few 3468As appearing on your local electronic market place for good prices but without the Fuse Holder for the Amp circuit, the part (HP part number 5061-1163) is unobtanium. Using a 4mm banana socket with a silicon like cover - and with  a bit of trimming with a scalpel, a very firm fit was obtained. Using what was to hand for the actual fuse and joined it onto the back of the fuse circuit. The rear part of the original fuse holder, solders easily. 
The battery option was installed but my battery was caput, the original a Panasonic LCR 306R - 6V ~3AHr sealed Lead Acid - not easily available in Australia (lots in USA) - so a slightly smaller (physically and storeage wise) alternative ordered (Drypower 6SB2.8P).

[GregDunn]

I Googled this meter and most of the images are too small to show what the input is supposed to look like - how would I tell if the critical part is missing before buying it? 

What is a good price for a meter which is missing the fuse holder - assuming nothing else is visibly wrong?

[VK5RC]

I wouldn't put myself up as a specialist on this meter, I see from some of the 'sold' or 'completed' eBay listings they seem to go for about ~USD 90-130 if sold as "Used" ie working - and looking at the photos they had the Amp fuse holder. The fuse holder is a small red sleeve that has a flat blade screwdriver slots at the edges - if you have a look at some of the sold eBay listings in the higher prices you can see the fuse holder in situ - if you enlarge the section.

Mine went for about USD 70 "As is" which usually means broken or couldn't be bothered to test in any way. I have had a bit of success buying old test gear with the latter ie OK but couldn't be bothered to test,  if it really is broken I quite enjoy the challenge of fixing it if I can, in this circumstance the fix was 'Ok' and cheap. I have managed to get the banana socket a little further in so the red ring is flush with the front panel so it looks moderately original.

[GregDunn]

Ah, OK - it wasn't clear how that was supposed to be accessed; so if that red piece with the slot is visible, then it's likely the part in question.  I approve of the fix, actually - anything which can render the equipment non-functional by accidental loss or breakage should not be a unique part.  I got a piece of old HP test gear last week with a broken fuse holder and it was literally 5 minutes to restore it to as-new functionality with no hacks because it was a standard panel mount component.

I'm hoping to find a used 3468A or 3478A which is in repairable condition and this will help!

[VK5RC]

I am of the same mind re restoring old but good test gear and saving it from the dump. Most of the gear I have thrown away is some of the newer but not well built gear.
Hope you find a bargain