Author Topic: So what did I buy? Is it worth refurbishing? (ans'd)  (Read 896 times)

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Offline metertech58761Topic starter

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So what did I buy? Is it worth refurbishing? (ans'd)
« on: June 14, 2023, 01:39:17 am »
So I was at a collectors' show this past weekend and this oddball piece of equipment caught my eye and the price was reasonable enough I decided to pick it up for giggles.

Western Progress Installer's Test Set, p/n 8000 - searching turned up nothing except for other units that are or had been on Ebay.

Is it something that could be used as a general-purpose instrument or is it too 'niche' to be of any use?

It uses three batteries - Eveready 246 (big square 9-volt battery) and 2x Eveready 412 (22.5V alkaline).

The wire gland holding the three leads was broken so I temporarily removed the leads (red / yel / grn, each ending in a telcom clip).

If it's worth refurbishing, I would want to know where I can source fresh test lead wire (each is 4' or so), switch boots, and ideas for dealing with the remnant of the enclosure that folded over the front.

Alternatively, if anyone is after a 'parts unit', I'd be willing to let this go for a reasonable price (I don't have that much into this).
« Last Edit: June 26, 2023, 05:45:14 am by metertech58761 »
 

Offline cruff

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Re: So what did I buy? Is it worth refurbishing?
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2023, 12:25:07 pm »
Looks like a telephone installer test set for land lines.
 

Offline xrunner

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Re: So what did I buy? Is it worth refurbishing?
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2023, 12:32:50 pm »
Is it something that could be used as a general-purpose instrument ...

Not in my mind.

Is it worth restoring? Depends on your goals and interests. It's neat in that it represents a long-gone era of technology but other than that I don't see any use for it in today's world. However; for a museum piece or personal collectors piece to show off, if restored, would be nice.
I told my friends I could teach them to be funny, but they all just laughed at me.
 

Offline metertech58761Topic starter

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Re: So what did I buy? Is it worth refurbishing? (ans'd)
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2023, 07:50:39 pm »
I figured it was likely phone related. Much appreciated! :)

Follow-on edit: It turned out the detent on the main selector switch was broken, which probably explains why it was retired to begin with.

At the same time, I have a lineman's phone that happens to need a new pair of telecom clips.

As I need to be downsizing anyway, I'll repair the butt set and part out this piece of equipment (thankfully it was only $10).
« Last Edit: June 26, 2023, 05:45:40 am by metertech58761 »
 


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