Where to look for repair equipment?
 

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on the best place to look for used repair equipment. I haven't had any luck locally by browsing the classifieds or placing wanted ads.

I'm specifically looking for an HV probe, CRT tester, tube tester, signal generator (for my radios in particular,) capacitor checker or substitution box. I would also be interested in a test pattern generator, oscilloscope, vtvm and any other useful tool to add to my budding workbench.

I see the stuff on eBay, but am wary about buying this type of stuff "sight unseen" and also reluctant to pay what some call "shipping charges" that should be more honestly described as "wholesale rape."

The only luck I've had so far is a lady who just closed a shop in Texas and moved here; everything she has is pretty new and she's asking $15,000 for it all (parts, manuals, tools) but that's quite a bit out of my price range.

Do you know if there are any hamfest or antique radio meets in your area? Much of this stuff turns up there at often give away prices. Also, if you can find an older TV shop; they may have old equipment stashed somewhere that they would sell cheap. Other than that, ebay (gag) is probably your next option. I agree with you on the high shipping prices and that much of that stuff on epay is junk and needs to be thrown out. I know someone locally who has an RCA senior voltohmyst, an HV probe, and a B&K 470 CRT tester; but, he expects to get big prices for this stuff. I think he wants $50 for the VTVM and $50 for the HV probe and $250-$300 for the CRT tester. I've seen those CRT testers go for less than $100 on ebay. All he's thinking about is what the stuff cost new. I tried to convince him that there was little demand for that equipment and not to expect to get those prices. I think it went right over his head. He just moved to a retirement home; so, I'll ask again and see if I can get a better price. As far as CL and local advertising, I've not had good luck either. The few replies I do get are usually from people wanting some ungodly price for their crap. It's like "ding, ding, ding, WANTED ad. This stuff must really be valuable; so, let's see how bad he really wants it".

Thanks - I did some searching - I missed a hamfest a hour from here that was held 12 days ago. As far as older shops, I think there's only 2 or 3 shops left in the metro area - I'll have to start looking further out in the country. If you hear of anything let me know - I pass through your area now & then on my way to visit my mother in Atlanta.

Just what kind of equipment are you looking for? What you are looking for is all over evilbay, and every hamfest always has more than enough for next to nothing except tube testers. There's MCM Eectronics and many other electronics jobbers for Sencore and the like. Craigs list is not the place to look for this kind of stuff unless you just happen to find something while browsing. I know of nothing that is hard to find in the way of test equipment. Much of this stuff brand new is not expensive anymore. Look this stuff up online, it is everywhere. Look for MCM Electronics, they don't rip anyone off as they are a regular jobber.

Now, if you're looking for quality stuff and want it for nothing or don't want to pay resonable prices, like everything else that's just what you'll find.

As others have already opined, hamfests are a great source for old test equipment. Everything you listed is generally quite common at hamfests, and, with the possible exception of the tube tester, can be found rather inexpensively with only a minimal amount of dilligence, provided you're not particularly fussy about specific brand/model/age. [...and you might just luck out on the tube tester.]

Check the AARL hamfest directory at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html/ for an upcoming hamfest near you..!

Also, I agree with julianburke regarding MCM. I've place a number of orders from them over the years-- very good service and generally fair prices, especially in certain catagories, though I haven't bought all that much test equipment from them.

Thanks for the link, I just found some coming up by me. Never know what you will find!

I have a surplus of equipment; much of it will need at least a little work, like new capacitors. I must have 4 or 5 extra dot/bar generators, and probably that same number of cheap scopes.

I may not have been clear, but my question was meant to ask about what kind of places to look for used test equipment locally. Nothing much used is easily found around me anymore, which is why I wanted to know what types of places to focus my search.

Hamfests may indeed be my best option. Craigslist, not surprisingly, has been of little use.

Also, I am not expecting state-of-the-art things - I see no reason to invest a substantial amount of money in newer equipment while continuing my self-education in electronics. This is a hobby for me and something I have found some enjoyment in; I have no plans to open a shop. Older and less-advanced equipment from the 50's-70's would suit me fine, as my interest lies mainly in products from that era anyway.

Not fussy at all. Thanks for the hamfest link - that's a great site. I make a few trips from New Orleans to Atlanta every year and can keep up with hamfests along the way. Thanks again!