Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Specmaster]

Ok, I'm now officially baffled (more baffled that a triple baffle muzzle brake) with that craze about those stations. Do you all really think that they are better than Weller AND JBC? WHY?
That is not only directed at you, URI! But I fail to comprehend why a whole bunch of people that have their benches crowded by anything that is solid, nice and precious in T&M gear are collectively on the run for chinese Hakko clones. Is soldering such a lower-ranking activity to you all or what did I miss here?

I have two of these T12 systems and another Hakko 936D Clones and while I cannot claim to have ever used either a Weller or JBC system before, I'm more then happy with my T12 systems, small, neat, very fast heating time and good regulation and energy efficient. That said there are others on here who have used used and indeed even own Weller systems for instance were they have been relegated to being used as back up irons and the T12 is their main go to iron these days.

I'm not sure why they have done so, perhaps they may, if they read this thread, reply and give their reasons for doing so. I personally cannot afford the cost of these more propriety brands and have used many electric irons over the years and I was reading other peoples views on these T12 ones and thought that there were inexpensive enough that I could give it a go and have not regretted it at all and as mentioned, now have 2 of these, the 936D clone made by Katsu is now my back up system and then I have many other 230v directly driven from the mains, self contained irons as even more back ups to the Katsu should it ever be necessary to use them.

Maybe if you read up on the T12 systems, you may find yourself drawn towards trying one out and if you did, I'd be surprised if you was not impressed by the overall effectiveness of it. I'm also not going to say they cannot be beaten by much more expensive systems, but what I do know is that you will not get more bang for your buck and it is a great overall experience.
 

[bitseeker]

I'm waiting for an edge-wise version... you could use them to chink up holes just like a half-brick. 

Just use the standard one and stand it on its side, job done.

Ideally, you'd want the display rotated appropriately. Neat idea, though. Saves even more horizontal space.

[Specmaster]

I'm waiting for an edge-wise version... you could use them to chink up holes just like a half-brick. 

Just use the standard one and stand it on its side, job done.

Ideally, you'd want the display rotated appropriately. Neat idea, though. Saves even more horizontal space.

Or you could do what I do with my two, stack them on top of each other seeing as they are no wider than a hand held meter.

[beanflying]

Haven't checked the dimensions yet but this is about the same size as two toy soldering irons?

Was on a Bean and Lentil diet now on a Coffee Bean and Water diet 

I only brought it because the 740B manual told me too  So who else from TEA Oz was running the bidding up?

[beanflying]

And this one I could blame the recent discussion of needing a set of them but my refund needed to go somewhere and well NIXIE

[URI]

TEA stroke me again!   

I came across an Agilent 6063B electronic load in nice and working condition ...
In the end I clicked the buy it now button.

I would not call it an boat anchor like some of the posters, but I do not like it very much either!

You are right in some way: It's "only" 2HE high and weighs only ~6,5kg but its other dimensions are full rack size.
On the other hand it's eating up pretty much space in comparison to the modern BK Precision/Itech/Maynuo/.. electronic loads.

On To your second sentence:
I see your point but I do understand why germans are often referred to as being rude or impolite by native speakers now. 
Don't be offended by this please, I know what I'm talking of myself..   

There are Hoecherl&Hackl, the newer Zentro, Transistor Devices, EA, Schaefer, ET System, Chroma...
and you got the only one with keys only operation. Pesky. That is an instrument where I would insist on having direct acting rotary control. But if you are fine with it, it's a decent grab.

Hey, it's analog programmable.   
But seriously, the other companies you named go for much more in general -like HP/Agilent stuff.
I don't mind having no rotary control, so it's fine for me. For me the GPIB-capability is more important.
I have other PSUs of that size and series (6632B, 6643A) that can sink up to 100 Watts (along with 20V/40V) and that have direct rotary control. I needed something capable of eating up more power and something with switching capabilities.
For me as a goodie on top it's known for its reliability. 

PS: The next temptation has caught me: I can't stop thinking of getting a T12 clone station with OLED -the necessary parts are available on *bay.. 

Ok, I'm now officially baffled (more baffled that a triple baffle muzzle brake) with that craze about those stations. Do you all really think that they are better than Weller AND JBC? WHY?
That is not only directed at you, URI! But I fail to comprehend why a whole bunch of people that have their benches crowded by anything that is solid, nice and precious in T&M gear are collectively on the run for chinese Hakko clones. Is soldering such a lower-ranking activity to you all or what did I miss here?

Oh, as far as I have read an seen (videos..) the Hakko T12-type clones have the much better buck for bang ratio than all the well established companies you named. The classic Weller WECP-20 (50W) is rock solid, yes -but heating up takes up to minutes unlike the T12 that take only seconds. And they're rated 70W.. 
It has also something to do with fun, I think.   
BTW, I would keep the Weller if I'd get a T12 clone.

[URI]

I'm waiting for an edge-wise version... you could use them to chink up holes just like a half-brick. 

Just use the standard one and stand it on its side, job done.

Ideally, you'd want the display rotated appropriately. Neat idea, though. Saves even more horizontal space.

Automatic rotation like in smartphones..   

[bitseeker]

Sounds like a cool project.

[bitseeker]

And this one I could blame the recent discussion of needing a set of them but my refund needed to go somewhere and well NIXIE

Very nice. Speaking of which, my 5327A should be here tomorrow.

[HalFET]

I opened up the 5200A boat anchor while waiting for the seller to reply. Turns out the transformer is massively corroded, going to fetch a bottle of isopropyl alcohol from the store today and clean it up a little, but looks like that's the culprit. Given the mechanical damage to the exterior of the unit, the inside looks okish.

[bd139]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

[beanflying]

I opened up the 5200A boat anchor while waiting for the seller to reply. Turns out the transformer is massively corroded, going to fetch a bottle of isopropyl alcohol from the store today and clean it up a little, but looks like that's the culprit. Given the mechanical damage to the exterior of the unit, the inside looks okish.

I actually missed out on a 5200A and after seeing the defpom's youtube struggles sort of happy   

Hoping my ship anchor Vahalla is in good nick.

[HalFET]

I opened up the 5200A boat anchor while waiting for the seller to reply. Turns out the transformer is massively corroded, going to fetch a bottle of isopropyl alcohol from the store today and clean it up a little, but looks like that's the culprit. Given the mechanical damage to the exterior of the unit, the inside looks okish.

I actually missed out on a 5200A and after seeing the defpom's youtube struggles sort of happy   

Hoping my ship anchor Vahalla is in good nick.

If this one doesn't fly I'm going to gut it and sell it for parts. Other than some damaged plastic bits the boards look in good enough condition for that at least, and easier to ship that way as well.

[Specmaster]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

Feeling better now then, with all of those toys that you managed to snare despite missing some watched items 

Whats happening with this TEA group, we keep sliding down the position on the board lately. We always used to in the top 3 or 4, and very often top, tonight we are 32nd from the top, are we not finding anything on the ole Bay to post about or is money tight for everyone after Christmas.  Speaking of money, all of the money that you kissed goodbye to when your house chain collapsed, that would have brought a serious amount of TEA related goodies, that would have seriously given me the right hump.

[neo]

Well if it is helpful to the cause of TEA, i bought a 5346A that is meant to be here tomorrow and is supposed to work fine, all new tantalums and electrolytics planned.

Also i bought a decade box, as pictured it is a capacitance box but was listed as resistance so it's going to be interesting to see what turns up.

Oh and then there is this fluke 8300A in almost perfect condition that WORKS but has only one option. Yeah, if i win that one i am going to get a good thrashing from the wallet. But damn it it is so nice! With NIXIES!!

[bd139]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

Feeling better now then, with all of those toys that you managed to snare despite missing some watched items 

Whats happening with this TEA group, we keep sliding down the position on the board lately. We always used to in the top 3 or 4, and very often top, tonight we are 32nd from the top, are we not finding anything on the ole Bay to post about or is money tight for everyone after Christmas.  Speaking of money, all of the money that you kissed goodbye to when your house chain collapsed, that would have brought a serious amount of TEA related goodies, that would have seriously given me the right hump.

Yes indeed feeling better. Been holding onto some cash for this enterprise for a bit. Wooh picture of arrival number one.



Currently working out which Anderson Powerpoles to buy. This bugger sucks 22A (!) at 13.8V so I don't want to smoke the connectors. Also the cable it comes with is as as stiff as and twice as thick as coat hangers.

There is literally bugger all happening on ebay. Diddly squat. It's terribly boring.

Very pissed about the cash gone out of the window but at the end of the day you can't dwell on things like that. Look forward and buy more things to play with instead.

On a positive note I don't think the place I was going to buy was very "antenna friendly". This might go in my favour in the long run 

[Mr. Scram]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

What, you couldn't listen to the amazing deals coming by? Nothing wrong with your eyes and hands, lad.

[Specmaster]

Well if it is helpful to the cause of TEA, i bought a 5346A that is meant to be here tomorrow and is supposed to work fine, all new tantalums and electrolytics planned.

Also i bought a decade box, as pictured it is a capacitance box but was listed as resistance so it's going to be interesting to see what turns up.

Oh and then there is this fluke 8300A in almost perfect condition that WORKS but has only one option. Yeah, if i win that one i am going to get a good thrashing from the wallet. But damn it it is so nice! With NIXIES!!

So do I deduce that the snow has now thawed then so the wallet cannot carry out her threat 

That does look nice but such a huge boat anchor for a single function and I bet you paid a lot more than the 18 Euros this person paid for his, you might find this rather helpful when it arrives http://www.vaxman.de/projects/fluke_8300a/

I like the idea of the a lottery on the decade box, keep us informed please.

[bd139]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

What, you couldn't listen to the amazing deals coming by? Nothing wrong with your eyes and hands, lad.

Hahahahaha for once I actually couldn't be bothered with ebay. That was the first time ever I think!

[Specmaster]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

Feeling better now then, with all of those toys that you managed to snare despite missing some watched items 

Whats happening with this TEA group, we keep sliding down the position on the board lately. We always used to in the top 3 or 4, and very often top, tonight we are 32nd from the top, are we not finding anything on the ole Bay to post about or is money tight for everyone after Christmas.  Speaking of money, all of the money that you kissed goodbye to when your house chain collapsed, that would have brought a serious amount of TEA related goodies, that would have seriously given me the right hump.

Yes indeed feeling better. Been holding onto some cash for this enterprise for a bit. Wooh picture of arrival number one.



Currently working out which Anderson Powerpoles to buy. This bugger sucks 22A (!) at 13.8V so I don't want to smoke the connectors. Also the cable it comes with is as as stiff as and twice as thick as coat hangers.

There is literally bugger all happening on ebay. Diddly squat. It's terribly boring.

Very pissed about the cash gone out of the window but at the end of the day you can't dwell on things like that. Look forward and buy more things to play with instead.

On a positive note I don't think the place I was going to buy was very "antenna friendly". This might go in my favour in the long run 

Hmm, that looks like a nice rig but 22A,really? Best get your self a couple of decent lead acid batteries and connect them in parallel and a charger for that sucker then, oh, and a thick jacket and a woolly hat as well its going to be a bit cold in that shed otherwise SWMBO wont like like it if your chatting away on the rig while shes soap watching and channel surfing.   

[Specmaster]

Gah been off TEA for a few days. Ear infection knocked me out. Missed all my watched items 

On a positive note got a massive dipole antenna, 30A switching supply,  a drum of RG8 and a not too miserable little 100W rig  turning up today and tomorrow. Can’t move so I’m going to become an EMC issue for the neighbours instead 

What, you couldn't listen to the amazing deals coming by? Nothing wrong with your eyes and hands, lad.

Yep, and whats even more surprising is that even without your script running and you jumping onto things before anyone else is aware of them, nobody it seems managed to bag any scores, hence my comment about being cash strapped 

Hahahahaha for once I actually couldn't be bothered with ebay. That was the first time ever I think!

[bitseeker]

Whats happening with this TEA group, we keep sliding down the position on the board lately. We always used to in the top 3 or 4, and very often top, tonight we are 32nd from the top, are we not finding anything on the ole Bay to post about or is money tight for everyone after Christmas.

Yeah, probably a combination of things: finances, market conditions, time of year, etc. The good thing is that it makes it easier to keep up with posts.

[neo]

Well if it is helpful to the cause of TEA, i bought a 5346A that is meant to be here tomorrow and is supposed to work fine, all new tantalums and electrolytics planned.

Also i bought a decade box, as pictured it is a capacitance box but was listed as resistance so it's going to be interesting to see what turns up.

Oh and then there is this fluke 8300A in almost perfect condition that WORKS but has only one option. Yeah, if i win that one i am going to get a good thrashing from the wallet. But damn it it is so nice! With NIXIES!!

So do I deduce that the snow has now thawed then so the wallet cannot carry out her threat 

That does look nice but such a huge boat anchor for a single function and I bet you paid a lot more than the 18 Euros this person paid for his, you might find this rather helpful when it arrives http://www.vaxman.de/projects/fluke_8300a/

I like the idea of the a lottery on the decade box, keep us informed please.

The 8300A predates the wallets decree of NO MORE, i have a budget on it but i'm going to be pushing it. I want it because i am apparently a fluke nut. well that and all that obvious reasons to TEA members. Nixies, Fluke, also i am apparently on a mission to get the complete line up of 8000 series.

Realistically if i don't win no harm done but i would be more than pissed at myself if i didn't at least try my best.

EDIT: It is still on auction.

[Specmaster]

Well if it is helpful to the cause of TEA, i bought a 5346A that is meant to be here tomorrow and is supposed to work fine, all new tantalums and electrolytics planned.

Also i bought a decade box, as pictured it is a capacitance box but was listed as resistance so it's going to be interesting to see what turns up.

Oh and then there is this fluke 8300A in almost perfect condition that WORKS but has only one option. Yeah, if i win that one i am going to get a good thrashing from the wallet. But damn it it is so nice! With NIXIES!!

So do I deduce that the snow has now thawed then so the wallet cannot carry out her threat 

That does look nice but such a huge boat anchor for a single function and I bet you paid a lot more than the 18 Euros this person paid for his, you might find this rather helpful when it arrives http://www.vaxman.de/projects/fluke_8300a/

I like the idea of the a lottery on the decade box, keep us informed please.

The 8300A predates the wallets decree of NO MORE, i have a budget on it but i'm going to be pushing it. I want it because i am apparently a fluke nut. well that and all that obvious reasons to TEA members. Nixies, Fluke, also i am apparently on a mission to get the complete line up of 8000 series.

Realistically if i don't win no harm done but i would be more than pissed at myself if i didn't at least try my best.

Haha, perhaps we need to start a sub section of TEA for serial collectors, just like train and plane spotters move heaven and earth to get each train and plane registration numbers, your not going to rest until you have the equivalent of a Fluke museum with one of everything they made, in working order of course.

[bd139]

Hmm, that looks like a nice rig but 22A,really? Best get your self a couple of decent lead acid batteries and connect them in parallel and a charger for that sucker then, oh, and a thick jacket and a woolly hat as well its going to be a bit cold in that shed otherwise SWMBO wont like like it if your chatting away on the rig while shes soap watching and channel surfing.

Looking at deep cycle batteries actually at the moment. Might be a better option than "shitty switcher from China" which is current plan.

I'm planning on using the dryer in the kitchen as the shack. The shed is metal and i'll be fucked if I'm hiding in that. It's either -10 or +50 inside it