Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[xrunner]

Anti end curl-uppy prevention strategy items ...

Hey, no getting all technical on us now.

On this forum, one of the, if not the, biggest test equipment forum on the planet, I like to keep things technical and avoid joking around. 

[cncjerry]

Yes it sucks.  This is still how it looks after nearly 48 hours of laying on the table.  I'm not happy with the way it turned out especially for $60 plus 20 shipping.

What about contact or rubber cement?

[Housedad]

After sending the pics to the seller, they agreed that it should not have been like that at all.   They offered either partial refund or a replacement mat.   I was hoping that it could be saved, as I hate waste.  After trying with a hair dryer and getting the room hot, the ripples still had not gotten better, so  I opted for a replacement mat and they will unroll and check it before sending.   Kudos to the seller for stepping up and 'straightening' out this problem.

I'll finally have that TEA party on the mat!!  Now how do I stop looking at Ebay and Craigslist?   It's killing me!

[Cubdriver]

After sending the pics to the seller, they agreed that it should not have been like that at all.   They offered either partial refund or a replacement mat.   I was hoping that it could be saved, as I hate waste.  After trying with a hair dryer and getting the room hot, the ripples still had not gotten better, so  I opted for a replacement mat and they will unroll and check it before sending.   Kudos to the seller for stepping up and 'straightening' out this problem.

I'll finally have that TEA party on the mat!!  Now how do I stop looking at Ebay and Craigslist?   It's killing me!

    You don't!   

-Pat

[bitseeker]

Now how do I stop looking at Ebay and Craigslist?   It's killing me!

If we could answer that question, we wouldn't be here!

Speaking of which, I almost snagged a 6 GHz HP scope for $500. Oh, well. "The one that got away."

[Brumby]

Now how do I stop looking at Ebay and Craigslist?   It's killing me!

Steady ....

Take a deep breath and go for a walk outside.  Look around and take in the wonders of nature.  Take another deep breath and let it out slowly.  This is to clear your head and allow your mind to come to its senses.

Then turn around and walk straight back to your computer - and toss a coin.  Heads for eBay and tails for Craigslist.

Feel better?!!!

[MarvinTheMartian]

Excellent advice Brumby!

[xrunner]

I'll finally have that TEA party on the mat!!  Now how do I stop looking at Ebay and Craigslist?   It's killing me!

Too late - you've fallen down the rabbit hole. Might as well enjoy it. 

[Housedad]

Wow.  The choice between another hit or a half way house.    Next thing you know, I'll be on the street in rags holding a sign that says "Will work for components" or "Electronically disabled"

sigh

[MarvinTheMartian]

... "Electronically disabled"

I like it!

However, I believe the politically correct terminology would be "Electronically challenged" 

[SingedFingers]

Minor rehab here.

Haven't looked at eBay for two days now 

However I managed to actually do something with the kit I bought and built a sweep generator for my other function generator and an "op amp" power supply (+/-15v) that runs off a 9v battery. Getting addicted to switching power supply designs now. They're quite good fun.

Perhaps it's more fun using it than buying it and repairing it 

[xrunner]

What made you choose the 3468B vs. 3478A?

In this case nothing more than a fair price, I'll probably buy the 3478A too later - being a TEA and all. 

And true to what I said - the 3478A is a 'comin as of a few minutes ago it's ordered! Another TEA party! 

The unit as it sits at the seller - super clean.

[Nx-1997]

well, I recently bought its close relative, an HP 3468A. This will be my 3rd 5.5 digit multimeter even though I don't need it.

[rrinker]

 Well, I am in trouble. I discovered a local place that has surplus everything, and they specifically mention test equipment. Some of the photos of their warehouse shows some CRO's, and such gems as Heathkit capacitance and resistor decade boxes. And they have tons of vintage computer stuff as well - C64's, Apples from II's to Mac LC's. Drive galore for C64 and Apple. They also say they have lots of electronic components.
 So I am planning to head over this weekend and check it out. Perhaps I SHOULDN'T drive there in my truck, thigns could get messy. 

[Cubdriver]

That sounds like it could be dangerous.   Take the truck.  You know, just in case... 

 

-Pat

[med6753]

Well, I am in trouble. I discovered a local place that has surplus everything, and they specifically mention test equipment. Some of the photos of their warehouse shows some CRO's, and such gems as Heathkit capacitance and resistor decade boxes. And they have tons of vintage computer stuff as well - C64's, Apples from II's to Mac LC's. Drive galore for C64 and Apple. They also say they have lots of electronic components.
 So I am planning to head over this weekend and check it out. Perhaps I SHOULDN'T drive there in my truck, thigns could get messy.

You can't just come in here and drop a gem like this and not tell us fellow Yanks where this place is located. 

So pony up....If it's within a 1000 miles I'm free this weekend 

[tggzzz]

Well, I am in trouble. I discovered a local place that has surplus everything, and they specifically mention test equipment. Some of the photos of their warehouse shows some CRO's, and such gems as Heathkit capacitance and resistor decade boxes. And they have tons of vintage computer stuff as well - C64's, Apples from II's to Mac LC's. Drive galore for C64 and Apple. They also say they have lots of electronic components.
 So I am planning to head over this weekend and check it out. Perhaps I SHOULDN'T drive there in my truck, thigns could get messy.

You can't just come in here and drop a gem like this and not tell us fellow Yanks where this place is located. 

So pony up....If it's within a 1000 miles I'm free this weekend 

You should appeal to his self-esteem and self-interest: suggest that you like him so much that you are willing to go to some trouble to save him from his baser instincts.

[bitseeker]

What made you choose the 3468B vs. 3478A?

In this case nothing more than a fair price, I'll probably buy the 3478A too later - being a TEA and all. 

And true to what I said - the 3478A is a 'comin as of a few minutes ago it's ordered! Another TEA party! 

Excellent! I have several of these in my repair queue. When they come to the fore, I may ping you for some measurements if I get stuck. (Just helping you with additional justification for your new acquisition. )

[bitseeker]

Well, I am in trouble. I discovered a local place that has surplus everything, and they specifically mention test equipment. ... So I am planning to head over this weekend and check it out. Perhaps I SHOULDN'T drive there in my truck, thigns could get messy.

Looking forward to your scouting report. I second Pat's recommendation to take the truck. Better safe than sor... um... short on space.

[Cubdriver]

Well, I am in trouble. I discovered a local place that has surplus everything, and they specifically mention test equipment. ... So I am planning to head over this weekend and check it out. Perhaps I SHOULDN'T drive there in my truck, thigns could get messy.

Looking forward to your scouting report. I second Pat's recommendation to take the truck. Better safe than sor... um... short on space.

And then spill the beans on where it is - that could be within driving distance for me, as I'm not quite right in the head and have been known on occasion to do things others might think are a bit nuts...

-Pat

[SeanB]

Well, I am in trouble. I discovered a local place that has surplus everything, and they specifically mention test equipment. Some of the photos of their warehouse shows some CRO's, and such gems as Heathkit capacitance and resistor decade boxes. And they have tons of vintage computer stuff as well - C64's, Apples from II's to Mac LC's. Drive galore for C64 and Apple. They also say they have lots of electronic components.
 So I am planning to head over this weekend and check it out. Perhaps I SHOULDN'T drive there in my truck, thigns could get messy. 

You need a bigger truck?

[rrinker]

 Oh I certainly hope not. Everything I currently own would take up only a fraction of space in my truck (probably get it all in the cab, actually), so if I acquire enough equipment to require a BIGGER truck I might as well pack up all my stuff and not return home so as to avoid being kicked out.

 The place in Kemner's Surplus Warehouse in Pottstown, PA.

 OK, maybe I do need a bigger truck, they've posted some new pictures and they have a TRS-80 Model 4 in working condition. I recently tossed my trusty old 4P.  Oh, they also have a Maker club. And a clean looking HP VTVM....

 Oh crap, they take credit cards. I am DEFINITELY in trouble.

[MarkL]

The place in Kemner's Surplus Warehouse in Pottstown, PA.

Noooo!!  That's 45 minutes from me.

Now that I've read that post - I cannot un-read it!

[xrunner]

Excellent! I have several of these in my repair queue. When they come to the fore, I may ping you for some measurements if I get stuck.

Sure thing!

(Just helping you with additional justification for your new acquisition. )

Right, see, we all need to keep buying test equipment in case somebody needs a measurement from a certain model, someone will be bound to have it. Right, right ...

[bitseeker]

Thanks, xrunner. Yep, all for the greater good, historical preservation, etc., etc.!