Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[med6753]

If you must this one is cheaper. Still have NFI why you would pay a premium for an old calculator above what they were worth new

eBay auction: #233310401599

I am not spending $700 on a calculator. But, if we're going down that rabbit hole...why do we spend $$ on old test equipment no one wants anymore? I like old calculators for the same reason. Especially to trigger nixiefreqq. 

Generally for Test gear however we pay cents on the $ not 100% of new. Clearly RPN buyers are not so smart (Attachment Link)

Clearly, it's triggering you too. 

I didn't spend anywhere near that for any of the vintage HP calcs I have, and I certainly am not starting now. Dunno why I can't get that message across. 

 

[mnementh]

Not. 

mnem
*knocks self unconscious with a clock mallet*

[beanflying]

Even though I am not triggered I was sharpening my old home brew knife for possible RPN dissection Electrical conduit handle for added safety. The remaining little chunk out of the blade can wait for the next sharpening but the rest of it is up to shearing this bean.

While doing this resto job I had a recent Mr Carlson's lab running. Yep the tempo is slow but the knowledge and explanations in it are really thorough.  https://youtu.be/Nzutvfbucr0 I am subscribed to his channel but don't watch all the content but if you have a spare 90+ minutes 

[tautech]

The remaining little chunk out of the blade can wait for the next sharpening but the rest of it is up to shearing this bean.

Ah, not everyone would recognize the source of that knife ! 

Blade shears ! .......real old fashioned shit....yep I've used a set.....not very successfully ! 


Who wants to be the black sheep of the TEA thread ? 

[beanflying]

Dad and I made a pair of them 40+ years ago which got used in the fishing gear in salt water so they have held up really well in their second lives. I think the other mating one is around somewhere still in the fishing basket most likely.

I would think even most professional shearers wouldn't have a clue how to use them these days.

[Cubdriver]

absolutely. add to that some chemicals that I would definitely stay away from such as hydroflouric acid.

HF is definitely some nasty stuff!  I managed never to cross it back when I worked at National Semi, but as a first aider there did precautionary treatment on a few people that were.  Refrigerated aalcium gluconate goop was applied generously to the affected area, and it didn't look to be a pleasant experience.  (Though my understanding was that calcium shots were even less so.)  Lots of fun things that'll kill you in a semiconductor fab!

-Pat

[bd139]

I remember when the HP-45 first came out.  It drew my attention more than the Hope diamond would have.  Then when the 65 appeared, it sent shivers down my spine.  These feelings were made unforgettable as, on separate occasions, I had encountered people who had acquired these machines - and let me hold theirs for a full minute.

I eventually bought an HP-25 of my own and while it had the same oh-so-good feel in the buttons, was never the sleek and sexy machine that was the HP-45.

I'd be interested in getting a 45 - but I'm not forking out the ridiculous sums being asked.

I’m using an HP35s because I also refuse to fork out for a mega ton of cash. 

[tggzzz]

Perhaps my mind was young and agile, but I had no trouble adapting to RPN.  The only trick is to understand what's in the stack and enter your expression appropriately.  That takes an understanding of the calculation being performed, rather than monkey see, monkey do left-to-right-even-if-its-wrong approach.

The early "algebraic" calculators were actually half-RPN. If you needed to calculate sin(x+y), you entered x + y sin.

I like the mentality of RPN where effectively you gather all the components together, and thereafter do something with them. The get half, decide to do something, find the other half, complete it mentality is deeply unsatisfying.

Having said that, I can tolerate some of the algebraic calculators on the market - the ones which implement arithmentic correctly using BEDMAS so that 1+2*3=7.

Truth is, I can use a full algebraic calculator, an RPN or even a basic boring 4 banger if special functions aren't needed.

I just adapt to the tools available at the time.

"Doing more with less" is always satisfying.

[tggzzz]

If you must this one is cheaper. Still have NFI why you would pay a premium for an old calculator above what they were worth new

eBay auction: #233310401599

I am not spending $700 on a calculator. But, if we're going down that rabbit hole...why do we spend $$ on old test equipment no one wants anymore? I like old calculators for the same reason. Especially to trigger nixiefreqq. 

Generally for Test gear however we pay cents on the $ not 100% of new. Clearly RPN buyers are not so smart (Attachment Link)

That will depend on what they can sell them for.

Now, should I sell my working Mac 0001AP?

[tggzzz]

eBay auction: #143399764461

I wish this isn't quite so expensive...the HP-65 is another bit of programmable RPN goodness that I want. 

I played with a programmable calculator (portable, bigger than a real brick, with panaplex displays) around 1974. While I can see their use for automating many repetitive simple calculations such as post processing an instrument's readings, I've never wanted one myself, nor have I had to do such calculations.

By the time I needed to do calculations like that spreadsheets were available. Since they enable checking/correcting inputs, recording results, and sensitivity analyses, they always seemed my better.

[tggzzz]

I just adapt to the tools available at the time.

I learned to use an abacus, but not proficiently.

I learned to use a slide rule proficiently, and still have it.

[tggzzz]

I remember when the HP-45 first came out.  It drew my attention more than the Hope diamond would have.  Then when the 65 appeared, it sent shivers down my spine.  These feelings were made unforgettable as, on separate occasions, I had encountered people who had acquired these machines - and let me hold theirs for a full minute.

I remember the HP35, and at university I regularly used the one bolted to the desk in the library.

I have bought one recently for a surprisingly small sum. It came in a custom mahogony case with carrying handle, so clearly it was someone's pride and joy.

[Zucca]

You know THIS?:
https://www.kager-hightemp.com/cold-air-generator/
If your unit manages the flow requirement, you could have bought your last can of cooling spray.

How much €??? Interesting but it looks expensive.

[bd139]

Put an offer in on something hefty and complicated . Fingers crossed.

[Cerebus]

Slow down you mob 6 pages in 12 hours major verbal diarrhea

Suck it up, princess.   

Ow! Ouch! There appears to be a pea stuck under all the pages of this topic. Oh no, my mistake - it's a green coffee bean. 

[nixiefreqq]

FECK!

[0culus]

eBay auction: #143399764461

I wish this isn't quite so expensive...the HP-65 is another bit of programmable RPN goodness that I want. 

I played with a programmable calculator (portable, bigger than a real brick, with panaplex displays) around 1974. While I can see their use for automating many repetitive simple calculations such as post processing an instrument's readings, I've never wanted one myself, nor have I had to do such calculations.

By the time I needed to do calculations like that spreadsheets were available. Since they enable checking/correcting inputs, recording results, and sensitivity analyses, they always seemed my better.

I program my HP15C and 16C to do repetitive simple things. It's akin to "back of the envelope/napkin" engineering. You will want to use a better computer tool eventually (and for problems that aren't trivially sized), but in a pinch having a small program in your calculator is a time saver. Plus, I find RPN programming intellectually satisfying. I have a CS and math background, after all. 

I have the full up whiz-bang MATLAB professional license with every possible toolbox at work. And Maple. I also have older, but still working, student licenses for both at home.

[bd139]

Indeed. Same. I find my 35s incredibly useful for repetitive calculations and simple problem solving. I've designed filters with it and paper quite happily. No Libreoffice calc in sight 

For more complicated stuff I use python / libreoffice calc. I did use full blown desktop Wolfram Mathematica until I couldn't get someone else to pay for it 

[Zucca]

Indeed. Same. I find my 35s incredibly useful for repetitive calculations and simple problem solving. I've designed filters with it and paper quite happily. No Libreoffice calc in sight 

For more complicated stuff I use python / libreoffice calc. I did use full blown desktop Wolfram Mathematica until I couldn't get someone else to pay for it 

why when I do not have a pocket calculator I always want one because my mobile calculator app sucks, and then when I buy one I always use my phone or PC and I sell the pocket calculator?
Sometime I am so stupid.

EDIT:
https://thomasokken.com/free42/
Maybe one day I will bent my knees to RPN.

[nixiefreqq]

am also looking for a vintage rpn hp calculator.

my plan is to get some of med's tek blue paint and give it a couple of coats.

no need to mask off the keyboard or the display.  it will be more useful without that rubbish anyhow.

hmmmmmm.   in fact.....maybe just dipping it in a bucket of paint would be quicker.

edit   hey med.  will the paint adhere better if i give it a good treatment with some 200 grit?

[mnementh]

   Dad and I made a pair of them 40+ years ago which got used in the fishing gear in salt water so they have held up really well in their second lives. I think the other mating one is around somewhere still in the fishing basket most likely.

I would think even most professional shearers wouldn't have a clue how to use them these days.

*raises hand* I've used them on the farm growing up. Grandmother used them for cleaning the dags off particularly nasty dogs in her grooming business to save burning up the blades on her electric clippers; she taught me how to use them correctly. You have to close the grips with a bit of a twisting motion, so you keep pressure on the blades against each other while at the same time closing the blades to make the cut. 

Even today they'll have their place on a farm I'll wager; a quick snip to clean off a dag or to cut matted burrdocks out of an animal's tail or fetlocks is much less hassle than clippers especially if you're dealing with a skittish colt, etc.

mnem

[bd139]

@Zucca: Need to find a good mobile app 



@nixiefreqq: can we at least agree on one thing in the calculator rivalry? TI-8x  (other than 85/86) suck

[mnementh]

absolutely. add to that some chemicals that I would definitely stay away from such as hydroflouric acid.

HF is definitely some nasty stuff!  I managed never to cross it back when I worked at National Semi, but as a first aider there did precautionary treatment on a few people that were.  Refrigerated aalcium gluconate goop was applied generously to the affected area, and it didn't look to be a pleasant experience.  (Though my understanding was that calcium shots were even less so.)  Lots of fun things that'll kill you in a semiconductor fab!

-Pat

Yeaaaah... I prefer my chemistry to be more recreational than industrial in nature. 

mnem
*currently having a sordid and unnatural relationship with a everything bagel & too much Philly cream cheese*

[0culus]

Indeed. Same. I find my 35s incredibly useful for repetitive calculations and simple problem solving. I've designed filters with it and paper quite happily. No Libreoffice calc in sight 

For more complicated stuff I use python / libreoffice calc. I did use full blown desktop Wolfram Mathematica until I couldn't get someone else to pay for it 

I've also found that reasoning about a problem in order to program it into my calculator leads to greater understanding of said problem. It's a win-win. 

[mnementh]

I just adapt to the tools available at the time.

I learned to use an abacus, but not proficiently. I learned to use a slide rule proficiently, and still have it.

For the memories (and to bolster my failing memory):      For Tax time:   

mnem