Nice Test Bench. Lots of thought and planning is obvious and the well conceived power circuits are very impressive. Thanks for the nice Tour and narration. 👍🏻
Thanks Tony, that looks excellent. One thing just slightly concerns me about the isolated supply (I recently posted about this on another channel) - in my broadcast industry training we were always told only to use one item of equipment per isolation transformer - just in case a fault to ground (maybe signal ground) in one if them was compromising the isolation for the kit you were actually working on. They used to make it a "trick" question in our safety exams - you have a 500 VA isolation transformer, how many 100W tape machines can you connect - answer, one! It may be over-cautious but that instruction (from 30 years ago!) is lodged in my brain forever :-)
Hi Tony, thank you for the time and effort of showing us your workbench. Found the safety aspect very useful and informative. You have a cracking bench.
Hi Tony. I watched this video when you first posted it and a couple of times since. It's a great inspiration and has led me to some great improvements in my own setup. I certainly don't have the space to make such a deep and ergonomically perfect circular workspace, but my power section is getting there. I like the way you have a separate breaker panel., though where I currently live it would be frowned upon by an electrical inspector. I will be attempting to follow you in your footsteps, though my troubleshooting skills leave a lot of room for improvement. Peace, joy, happiness, and good health in your life too, Tony. Cheers Mark
Looks like the cockpit of a Dan Dare star ship. Superb bit of design and created for ease of use by a man who "knows". My bench design is easy because I have only three pieces of equipment. Bench Power supply, variac, and multimeter. I think it will take a good few years until I can achieve a setup anything like yours. As a relative newbie I have a lot more learning to do and would be really interested; maybe even a vid, in what equipment you think a newbie should purchase. e.g. start with a multimeter. Great vid and thanks for the tour.
Really beautiful set up Tony! I’ve been following you from the beginning and it’s great to see your constant progress and enjoyment! Your setup greatly influenced my electronics lab over the past few years. And was by far one of the most influential work spaces for me personally to implement in my own space. I lost a very similar setup in a divorce last year. Long story… But I spent the better part of 10 years refining and building my area, carefully researching and locating each piece of equipment. Which added up to a literal mountain of test gear I went through.... only selecting The best I could afford. Each piece was restored and calibrated mostly in my own shop… And everything was right with the world. After losing a setup like that… The tens of thousands of hours I put into the work…And the 10-15 years worth of constantly flowing/storing new and salvages parts and components… I resigned to spend my short remaining time ,... living vicariously through others enjoyment of the hobby and passion for test equipment… And enjoying the electronics hobbyists here on RU-vid. I wish you all the best, you deserve much viewership and lots of growth here on RU-vid!
That's an impressive lot of test equipment, some of it very high grade for professional work. Hats off! An electronic wonderland. I wish I could afford even 1/10 of that :)
Excellent ! , I have my bench setup to my preferences and layout, I tend to remove Equipment that I don't use much then change back, I also have one of the IFR versions 1500 and it is hard to use, unless you use it a lot , lighting is always my problem
One tool that is really, really handy is an electronic crossover / DSP unit. MiniDSP is pretty economical, but an older BSS Soundweb box is another good option if you can get one. They're great for working on speakers, but they also make a great bench preamp with equalization built in.
Great setup. Just a note on the Uni-t ute1010A meter, all three plug receptacles share a common ground so the unit itself must be plugged into the isolation unit or maybe the terminal clips may be removed inside
I found my variac really helps when using it in conjunction with the dim bulb tester because when limiting the current you can't obtain the 120v. The variac being able to boost the voltage some.
Very interesting video: every tech can take advantage of your ideas. Of course, you've got some fabulous piece of equipment, and some test devices few ever need if not qualified to use it... The support mount for camera and light sources are interesting, and certainly the result of long term experience. However, the trolley and main camera support are directly in you way if you operate on big equipment. I've seen some alternative mount using a rail on top above the lights, so you can operate without between you and the bench. Of course this kind of mount could imply reversing the actual support and perhaps using a top quality zoom lens, if you want to operate with greater distances. This type of "overhead" system can also be improved using XY displacement support, with eventual motorized and remote controlled action. I've seen that in test laboratories, special effects studios... The number of electric supply circuit is impressive, but lacks things interesting to implement your security level: #1 a high sensibility differential circuit breaker: if anything leaks to the ground, it will disconnect Immediately the protected grounded lines. #2 a big red "emergency" button that cuts everything on the bench, with any number of any power relay to drive the power lines. #3 an emergency light, operated on batteries, giving the necessary light needed in case of power outage. Some of your dimbulbs switches should also be mechanicaly protected against any protuding object or wire loop. For such use, I personally employ protected and backlit industrial Push buttons, and relays! I suppose you also have some fire extinguisher and a fire/smoke detector in your workshop. I also guess you also use a good venting system, providing fresh air and getting you rid of solder smokes.
Well thought out and well planned. I know a lot of experience went into this. My focus is more audio but you expertly cover a wider bandwidth. Looking forward to your future projects!
My lab is a 3'x5' desk, with a shelf behind it. The main aggravation with it is that I only have a single work space, meaning that soldering and testing have to be done in the same space. I have to completely change processes, or risk melting test leads, or getting solder bits in a DUT.
Thanks for sharing your new bench! I'm working on putting together my first real bench. Now for the burning question, what color are you going to paint it?
I have a display like that on my Variac and it works all the way down to Zero theres a Mod for them that works really well.That Mastech supply looks just like my OLD GW instek GPC-3030
Great job on the new bench. I really like your power system. Good old Simpson 260, yup no bench should be without one. Question? Do you like that USB capacitor meter better the the Sencore LC53? I just have an LC53 myself.
I have a question, the osciloscope is conected to the isolated transformer , for example if you want to test a switching power supply from a tv , thanks
Hi! What usb scope are you using ? I am planning to buy one for a first scope and i wonder wich one would be good. My workbench is really small and i am on a budget. This is why usb scopes are interesting
It takes time and money just to get good basic work bench hardware, then to stock up on capciators and resistors and all the little things it takes to make everything come together.you can nickle and dime your self , have what you need to do a decent job and your work bench has all that.
Do you by any chance have a video showing repair & diagnostic using a signal generator please. I'm having trouble understanding how to use signals to do repairs. It's probably one or two things that are missing or I just need some practice but I need to know where to start practicing. Anyway I would appreciate some help and a couple of nudges in the right direction
I collect old equipment as well but other than the joy of working with it there's really no point. A modern scope, arbitrary waveform generator, multimeter, LCR, power supplies. Obviously a few more bits and pieces but no need for mountains of low cost, out of date, equipment. That said, I love your bench setup.
Did I see a socket strip for the isolation transformer? If so, please remember that whatever items are on that strip are isolated from ground, however they are not isolated from each other... Meaning that, if you get crossed up between two DUTs on that one strip, you can still get shocked.
I got a question, first I've been watching you're videos for awhile now and for good reasons, in my mind, I'm thinking about a vintage amplifier like 70's Sansui, Kenwood, Pioneer etc. I like the way they look, the brushed metal, the knobs and maybe two meters warm glowing lights( sexual) now my question, it seems I might be setting my self up for a fall, be having it refurbished by you ( preferably) or someone that knows what they're doing, will the new parts, make them be able to compete with a newer amp( 90's to today's) I've ran across a couple and from me to you, the prices seem to good to be true and some makes me think" buy a new one" you're thoughts will really be appreciated and if one of your videos will give my the information that would help me( and save you the trouble of explaining) point me in the right direction and I'll be on my way NUFF SAID! Stan Lee use to say at the end of each issue of Marvel comics, thanks in advance and keep up the great work.
Tony Nice bench, reflects the pride you taken your work. Do you have to do board level work for your business or is it swapping boards mostly with the manufacturers?
thank you for that video. it was very cool to get acquainted with your equipment. yes i was particularly interested in the IRF1200 and the HP8657. So how about doing a video on a CB radio? no, it's not for the faint of heart, as your comments section might become a bit more volatile, but i for one would really like to see you go through an alignment and lesson on one.
Really good video since I am trying to set up my bench.I do have a question about the Simpson 260, which is a really good rugged meter, used them a lot in the military as a sonar technician and as a civilian working on torpedoes and torpedo fire controls when I got out of the active military. 20k ohms per volt, is that DC, AC, or both. I have a Mircronta 22-210 which is a Radio Shack clone of the 260 and is rated 30k/V DC, and 10k/V AC. I do miss being able to go down to the local ham radio supply house and shop for everything, now everything is online. Have picked up some gear at the ham radio swap meets, but that is on hold due to covid. Very helpful video, thanks.
Tony, love your videos, excellent info always. Question, you said in video that you put a cap in series with your bench speakers to protect from DC. What value are you using? And I assume either nonpolar or two electrolytics in series to be nonpolar?
Good question! I just put the cap on the little 8" radio test speaker. If I recall, it is two 330uF caps in series for non-polar configuration. I'm not worried about sound quality when testing small radios.
Variac DO NOT provide isolation yep. I've employed the light bulb limiter many times. Two Like Transformers back to back works for isolation. MOT (Microwave Oven Transformers) using two Primary wingdings works good for Isolation. Easy to make up your self.
There is a very simple mod you can do to those small power meters that will allow them to work on the Variac all the way down to 0V. I did it on mine and it works great.
Hi Tony, I have two Panasonic AM/FM standard signal generators but they are huge in size. I wonder if you can recommend a modern SSG for rf alignment etc. regards:)
Any modern SG that has the same specs as the Panasonic would be very expensive. I would clear the space for the Panasonic and use it. A lot of the modern SG's you see out there will cover the same frequencies and even do the modulation you need, but you won't be able to adjust the amplitude down to the levels you need.
@@xraytonyb Oh man, I used to live local to Dayton Audio/Parts express. That place was nice. Even free popcorn in the showroom! MCM Electronics used to be right around the corner.
Thats quite a service bench you have there Tony!! Very well set up!! I have about 75% of what you have there, but I am going to be re designing my new bench to accommodate it all better some day soon!! BTW was that other spectrum analyzer a HP 40 Mhz unit that weighs about 110lbs ?? Every time I move mine I drop two small personal items so to speak, Yup its about as heavy as my Heathkit Apache 100 watt transmitter, but not as heavy as my old Collins KWS-1 that weighs about 345 lbs with the power pedestal section, that guy puts out about 600 watts or so or close to 650 but I run it at about 500 to 550 watts. ----------- John Bellas KC2UVN 73's my friend!!
@@xraytonyb Sweet! If you notice my channel icon picture is the meter from my 1962 Mercury model 1200 mutual conductance tube tester, an essential piece of test gear, along with my Heathkit IT-28 capacitance leakage tester.
Nice bench set upTony! Question: I have a Hp 8657A like yours, but needs repair, works intermittently, attenuators has no clicking sound. Do you have any suggestions where I might get it repaired, this one has me a bit overwhelmed.
62 years old and I still don't have a Proper Scope. Cut my teeth on Real scopes like Tekrtonics . Hang my head in shame. I'm using a single channel JYE DSO 150 for my audio stuff at this time.
There's no need to "hang your head in shame", as long as you accomplish what you set out to do (your goal), that equals success. I've known mechanics that owe a small fortune to the tool truck salesman, and have every tool imaginable and still were not very good mechanics, but had shiney tools galore. A saying I hold dear is: The mechanic makes the tools, The tools do NOT make the mechanic! Fred
There are excellent deals on Ebay for Tektronix and other really good scopes. I mean you can get a working classic Tek 465 for under $100 if your lucky.
