Whats on your bench?

[Hacksaw]

I read every now and then, someone wants to learn how to work on amps. they may find this interesting. I know some of you have a few benches. but whats on the main bench for repairs?

I have Solder/desolder station, another solder station, desolder sucker, DMM, AMM, old 20 mhz dual trace Oscilloscope, audio signal generator, computer. tools tools tools. two tier bench maple top.



I just wished people would stop asking me to fix thier CB's.:rotflmao

[Old Tele man]

1) Heathkit IO-4550 O'Scope
2) Heathkit Freq. Counter
3) Dage FG-2 Sweepable Oscillator
4) R/S Micronta 22-185A Digital Multimeter
5) Homemade 2-4-8-16 ohm 100W dummy load

[kt77]

If you don't fix CB's, can you fix my VCR :crazy ?

[Hacksaw]

:jo

LOL...

[Old Tele man]

...I can "fix" anything. How do you want your VCR neutered?

[rockon1]

1) ZF 5HP-24 automatic transmission(1999 Jaguar XJ)

2) AW 50-42LE automatic transmission(late model Volvo)

3) A140 automatic transmission (older toyota camry)

you asked......:jo

[Hacksaw]

1) ZF 5HP-24 automatic transmission(1999 Jaguar XJ)

2) AW 50-42LE automatic transmission(late model Volvo)

3) A140 automatic transmission (older toyota camry)

you asked......:jo


:rotflmao

Those are some wild tranny's! you have my highest respect! I tried that job before. I worked at a chevy dealer in the early 80's, (700r4 comes to mind??) I could never get transmissions to work right! I could trace Electrical shorts etc in a cadillac, but never transmissions!!

[TheAmpNerd]

Damn,

I've got a ton of crap on my bench.
2 - Fluke DMMs
1 - BK cap meter
1 - low ohm ESR meter
1 - BK Precision Handheld Signal Generator
1 - funky home made load
Weller WRS 3000 rework station
Weller 100 watt iron

2 Hakko 936 (work horse).

On a cart I've got a 20Mhz scope.
a B&K 707 Tube tester on another "bench"
a custom burn in rack
a couple more soldering irons
2 Mil Bridge Capacitance-Inductance-Resistance Meters
1 Heathkit signal tracer
1 Precision Apparatus Series E-2000 C Meters
1 Variac Autortransformer with AC volt and Amperes meters
1 cheapo "variac"
1 square foot porceiln (sp) and steel ash tray
Switched power station
home made signal tracer
home made current limiter
3 racks of hand tools
numerous test batteries
special purpose parts
vacuum pump
Air compressor
a few tube amp/receivers
old fender 2 x 12 cab
mini marshall battery amp
hand built specialized test gear
more special purpose parts
various amp stands (concrete filled tranny boxes, 2 x 6 x 12s with bases,
input jack jig
Custom solder spool holders (smoothed nail and wire tied)
Hand job solder suckers
various sizes of binder clips!!!! Buy em you'll love em like I do.
Probes and bending tools
Lots of different test leads etc hanging
various illumination methods, bench, overhead, snap, gun barrell, LED sticks, etc.
Gotta fricking library in there too from the standard great tube amp references to Patents, to Money, an NCO for Marines Handbook,Germs,
Og Mandiono collection, Think and Grow Rich,
the definitive works of C.A. Marchaj "Sailing Theory and Practice, Aero-Hydrodynamics of Sailing
and lastly Dating for Dummies. :AOK

Heck that is just in the work room/bench.

The Garage is a whole nuther country!

'69 Chevelle SS396, non reissue

speaker test and burn in racks
various other hand and power tools
custom capacitors
custom speakers


Then there is my "field repair tool kits"


Now, back designing my curriculum.

Hey, would anyone be willing to purchase simple how to
videos for tube amplifers? All the production will be done
by my kids and all proceeds would go to my school program.

I'm going to run a high school career and technology (vocational education)
program and want to get the kids into doing some real production
and credits.

Anyone interested in a Technical Advisory screen credit etc?
It is for the kids!

I'm open to ideas.

[Saul Koll]

You guys should post pics of your workspaces! There are some out here who are total shop geeks and like to see that stuff.

Amp nerd, what are you using the vacuum pump for? clamping?

[TheAmpNerd]

Amp nerd, what are you using the vacuum pump for? clamping? Lost wax casting.

Saul, beautiful work on your Axes!

Oracle of The Amp Nerd says:
There is a Kewl Koll in your future.


My bench is a mess. I'd never pass
a safety inspection.

It works for me though. :dude

Oh I have a file somewhere of my "early" bench.
You can click on different things and it IDs it.

[V846]

Not guitar amp related but some good bench pictures

http://www.crystalradio.net/bench/index.shtml (http://www.crystalradio.net/bench/index.shtml)

[TheAmpNerd]

Thanks for the link V846.

Mine is a cross between:

Dan Petersen
and
Darryl Boyd

HOWEVER

I keep things a tad more separated in the work areas

AND

Keep only electronics stuff on the bench then each in their
own areas...hand tools on spot, solder another, irons another
junk pile off to the side : )
Related power tools in the garage (drill press, bench grinder, etc)
a chemical area etc.

[tonezoneonline]

Not the best pics but here you go:
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/bench1.jpg
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/bench2.jpg
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/bench3.jpg

[Pearly Gator]

Tektronix scope
Soldering station
Signal generator
Load bank
DMM
Cap tester
5 chests of drawers full of parts
DC power supply
Power outlet strip
Overhead flourescent lighting
Carpet or towels (depending)
Tube manual
Hickok Tube tester
Solder braid
Solder sucker
Electric screwdriver
Military tool bag full of handtools
Edited to add:
Resistor substitution box
Capacitor substitution
Nut files
Fret files

Plus whatever the current project/repair is. Today I'm rebuilding my pedal power supply into a smaller housing. When done, I am installing aluminum stop bars on my Les Paul and Washburn HB35. I'm not about to post a picture of my bench untill I clean it up! =)

PG

[John Phillips]

AVO Model 7 & Model 9 analog long-scale multimeters (50s/60s)
2 x cheap modern digital multimeters
Tube signal generator (60s)
Tube single-trace scope (60s)
3A Variac (60s) - 240V mains over here, so 3A is plenty
Own-made 400W resistive dummy load
Marshall Powerbrake
15W, 25W & 50W soldering irons (plus the gas cooker in the kitchen when my wife isn't looking ;))
Two power drills (one variable-speed) and a rechargeable drill/screwdriver
Tap and die set
Dremel
Large & (very) small hand drills
A huge number of screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, files, spanners, hammers, solder sucker and other hand tools etc

That's probably about it. You really don't need anything very sophisticated to work on tube guitar amps - they're very simple things really. The only really high-quality things out of that lot are the AVOs, and they're of the right vintage to match some of the amps :). The only thing I really need a better one of is a scope, but it isn't a priority.

I've also come across quite a few repair techs with all the fancy accurate modern equipment you can think of, who still couldn't make an amp reliable for a working musician or sound right.

[rockon1]

:rotflmao

Those are some wild tranny's! you have my highest respect! I tried that job before. I worked at a chevy dealer in the early 80's, (700r4 comes to mind??) I could never get transmissions to work right! I could trace Electrical shorts etc in a cadillac, but never transmissions!!

Thanks,Im a "fixer" by nature,however I kind of hate cars now.lol! Im thankful they pay the mortgage but thats about it!Familiarity breeds contempt is the old saying?. Ive been working on trannies since I was 18. I'll be 46 on Saturday.I only wish I had the knowledge to work on tube amplifiers instead of cars. Now that would be cool!

[jbltwin1]

Hey-that's no fair! You can actually see the TOP of your bench! Mine has so many projects and repairs(junk) that you can't see the top. Luckily, the drill presses and other stuff are on other benches. THe top has two different vices on it-one soft face, one hard. I really need to clean up. Maybe Mike's nice clean top will give me some inspiration. Also luckily, my resistor cabinets and parts cabinets are under the bench so at least they are out of the way.

[V846]

.

Mine is a cross between:

Dan Petersen
and
Darryl Boyd




I like Bill Meacham's "bench tester!" :)

My simple setup is two small tables with scope, signal genrator, cap tester, VTVM and an older Fluke 23 plus a side rack of tools.

David

[tonezoneonline]

It's a mess right now and this isn't on the bench but it's the other end of my shop:
http://www.tonezonweonline.com/shop1.jpg
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/shop2.jpg
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/shop3.jpg
It's an old country church that was built in 1894.I have a nice stage and a big cooker out back that we cook some hogs on and have jams a few times a year when time permits.Your all welcome when your in the area or can make it over.

[tonezoneonline]

Sorry:
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/shop1.jpg

[TheAmpNerd]

I've also come across quite a few repair techs with all the fancy accurate modern equipment you can think of, who still couldn't make an amp reliable for a working musician or sound right.
Yeah, as you probably know by now...I use my ears more than
most of the gear I've got.

But when things start getting wierd...it is always nice to have
some test gear to help out. There is nothing quite like some of
the older gear...kinda like older amps.

Can we say ears?

:RoCkIn

EDIT: Oh I'm NOT alone. I thought it was just me that had "projects" all over the place.
Thanks y'all, I feel much better now.

[PaulM]

Sorry:
http://www.tonezoneonline.com/shop1.jpg


Cool shop--is that an old church?

[Hacksaw]

Now, back designing my curriculum.

Hey, would anyone be willing to purchase simple how to
videos for tube amplifers? All the production will be done
by my kids and all proceeds would go to my school program.

I'm going to run a high school career and technology (vocational education)
program and want to get the kids into doing some real production
and credits.

Anyone interested in a Technical Advisory screen credit etc?
It is for the kids!

I'm open to ideas.


I would purchase a video or two, to help out. That is a great idea for a fund raiser. This is close to my heart.. My father taught Electronics at a votech after he retired from the military ( 1969). in about 1986-88 or so, He helped rewrite the text books for votechs. I dont know if they are still being used or not, but he put in the time! Most students went on to a career in electronics. It's great to have good teacher :AOK.

I would be happy to purchase. Let us know!

[TheAmpNerd]

Here is an older pic that I found of a
grey panel AC30, with the SS Rectifier.

The power circuit took a major dump on this amp
so here I was about half way finished with it.

There were also new electrolytics throughout, new final coupling
caps (on the other board 90 degrees over).
Here I had just finished rebuilding the SS Rectifiers.
Someone had been in there before me once upon
a time and broke the terminal strips or board.

Next up was Kevin O'connors mods to the power circuit and I set
it up where you could pull a pair of tubes to run it at half power.
This was the point where I was studying a schematic before
proceeding.

My bench is in about the same shape now as it was then,
just a bit more tools and irons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/TheAmpNerd/VoxAC30_WhatNext.jpg

[StratTone]

I read every now and then, someone wants to learn how to work on amps. they may find this interesting. I know some of you have a few benches. but whats on the main bench for repairs?

I have Solder/desolder station, another solder station, desolder sucker, DMM, AMM, old 20 mhz dual trace Oscilloscope, audio signal generator, computer. tools tools tools. two tier bench maple top.
:rotflmao


I just wished people would stop asking me to fix thier CB's.:rotflmao


I thought you were talking about what we had on the bench that was being a pain!!! :rotflmao I have:

Fluke DMM
O'scope
Desolder/Solder Station
Bias Rite
Tube Tester
Many hand tools
Auto Cap meter

Right now there is a Hot Rod Deluxe (big surprsie) that is killing me!! I fix these things all the time but I swear every time I fix one thing I just move on to the next thing broke. It first got to me becaue of the usual channel switching problem. U2 and the two ceramic resisters were all bad!!! Then after fixing that I noticed the reverb wasn't working. U3 fixed that. Ok so now all is good right? Nope!!! There is hardly any sound coming out of it. I mean nothing. So I just started probing and found 3 open resister 1/8 watt. So at this point I start at the transformer and see I'm getting now power to the 1/4 watt resistors for the preamps tubes..........that is where I'm at now....

[ChickenLover]

Well let's see, there's a soldering ir...crap...I left it on...again.

[TheAmpNerd]

Here is the other half.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/TheAmpNerd/Bench_Other_Half.jpg

[TheAmpNerd]

The reason for my large posting volume on TGP?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/TheAmpNerd/Extraction.jpg

I'm feeling no pain :BEER:cool::BEER:cool::BEER:RoCkIn

[teleamp]

Trainwreck clone
Dumble clone
SC-30 clone
Silvertone rebuild
a couple of 5 watt builds

I'll be glad when I get caught up and get these for sale.

MikeY

added: oh yeah, a Mark Simpsom military PA amp.

[Hacksaw]

The reason for my large posting volume on TGP?

I'm feeling no pain :BEER:cool::BEER:cool::BEER:RoCkIn

HAHAHAHA.. I should have you do a few mods while your in the ZONE! I think the beetles and Hendrix did some of their best work in that condition! Ok maybe we shoudnt, dont want ya to zap yourself! That just came to mind haha.. I am on Steriods... ended up with rashs all over my arms. Doc Zapped me and I am wired for sound. Yngwie seems slow today :p haha

btw, Fun bench! and on the first picture, I think I have the same glasses (x2) hahah..

[TheAmpNerd]

btw, Fun bench! and on the first picture, I think I have the same glasses (x2) hahah..

Hackster,

I actually hated those and threw them out. I got a better and larger pair for working. : )

THEN

At Sam's I bought a 4 pack of reading glasses so I can find them.
Funny though I still run around and look for them, they all end up
in the same place, like the car or something. Or the Dogs take them
so they can see better. Go figure.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/TheAmpNerd/DogGlasses.jpg


MikeY,

Gotta show us please, that is 1/2 the phun.

[teleamp]

Here is a pic of the TW insiped amp I am building.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i115/teleamp/Cabinetmockup.jpg
Its just mocked up for now, I was sanding on the cabinet and busted through the stain, DOH. I've got the preamp turret board built, I deviate from Francesca, I'm using premium Sozo caps and Rikens carbon film resistors with Vishay metal films for the plate resistors, hopefully, I'll get it going in the next week or two. As far as a pic of my bench, your guys benches are way too neat and organized for me to post a pic of mine.
The other amps are still piles of parts. I'm still trying to decide what circuit to build with the West Labs 30 watt set, maybe a Liverpool.

[ekp]

We have somewhat a different assortment of tools:

On the benches there are
Soldering stations
signal generator
sweep generator
Tektronics 5441 analog memory scopes
audio spectrum analyzer plug-in
differential amplifier plug-ins
resistive loads
Ground and Hipot tester
Ground leakage tester
Meters, digital and analog
Plus lots of hand tools

Plus
40 x 20 x 24 CNC mill
couple of vertical mills
horizontal mill
tool room lathe
lots of tooling
panel saw
duplicating router
box joint saw
press brake
TIG welder
chassis welding fixture
cabinet press
hot melt spray gun
vibratory finisher
air compressors
three-phase converter
vertical band saw
horizontal band saw
press
drill sharpener
engraving tool and countersink sharpener
numerous fixtures
plus power tools, cutters and hand tools

Plus computers with CAD/CAM, circuit analysis and PCB layout software

Almost all in a 1600 square foot shop in the hills of West Virginia

[brad347]

vibratory finisher


:eek:

[teleamp]

We have somewhat a different assortment of tools:

On the benches there are
Soldering stations
signal generator
sweep generator
Tektronics 5441 analog memory scopes
audio spectrum analyzer plug-in
differential amplifier plug-ins
resistive loads
Ground and Hipot tester
Ground leakage tester
Meters, digital and analog
Plus lots of hand tools

Plus
40 x 20 x 24 CNC mill
couple of vertical mills
horizontal mill
tool room lathe
lots of tooling
panel saw
duplicating router
box joint saw
press brake
TIG welder
chassis welding fixture
cabinet press
hot melt spray gun
vibratory finisher
air compressors
three-phase converter
vertical band saw
horizontal band saw
press
drill sharpener
engraving tool and countersink sharpener
numerous fixtures
plus power tools, cutters and hand tools

Plus computers with CAD/CAM, circuit analysis and PCB layout software

Almost all in a 1600 square foot shop in the hills of West Virginia

Eric, do you need any help? I would love to work somewhere that had all you have.

[Saul Koll]

Cool tour!
http://www.pritchardamps.com/about_us/factory_tour.htm
Do you have more shop shots?

We have somewhat a different assortment of tools:

On the benches there are
Soldering stations
signal generator
sweep generator
Tektronics 5441 analog memory scopes
audio spectrum analyzer plug-in
differential amplifier plug-ins
resistive loads
Ground and Hipot tester
Ground leakage tester
Meters, digital and analog
Plus lots of hand tools

Plus
40 x 20 x 24 CNC mill
couple of vertical mills
horizontal mill
tool room lathe
lots of tooling
panel saw
duplicating router
box joint saw
press brake
TIG welder
chassis welding fixture
cabinet press
hot melt spray gun
vibratory finisher
air compressors
three-phase converter
vertical band saw
horizontal band saw
press
drill sharpener
engraving tool and countersink sharpener
numerous fixtures
plus power tools, cutters and hand tools

Plus computers with CAD/CAM, circuit analysis and PCB layout software

Almost all in a 1600 square foot shop in the hills of West Virginia

[TheAmpNerd]

Here is a pic of the TW insiped amp I am building.

Its just mocked up for now, I was sanding on the cabinet and busted through the stain, DOH. Way to go Teleamp.
Damn I want a cab like that too. I feel a TW inspired amp is in my fuiture too.

Now to answer your question and sanding and staining...
...I recall an interview that Awlnold gave early in his film career,
yes before he was govener, and he said he had a brick laying
business. What is a guy like awlnold to do right? He's a body builder.
So any way he got a contract to build a lady a brick wall out in
front of her house.

Admittidly, he didn't know what he was doing but needed the
money any how, so he build the wall. When it was time to get
paid, the lady wanted to see the wall first. When she did,
the lady told Awlnold he built the wall wrong and that she
wasn't going to pay him.

Awlnold, who is really quick witted, told the lady no, no, no,
you have it all wrong. I've been to Europe and to New York,
this is one of those NEW DESIGNER WALLs. All the big wigs
and Stars are paying big bucks for these. You are getting
this designer all at a great prices and will be the first in this
area to have one. In fact, I would like to use this wall
as a demo for all my other hollywood clients, but please
don't tell them how low your price was for this wall,
I gave you a special deal.

Its the same thing Bill Gates says about his software when it
does strange stuff....it is an undocumented error!

[teleamp]

Maybe I should try to do a Tyler "vomit" finish, just kiddng, I'm going to rescue that mahogany. But, some lesser wood and a vomit finish would look cool.

[teleamp]

Way to go Teleamp.
Damn I want a cab like that too. I feel a TW inspired amp is in my fuiture too.



I now have a business partner who's doing cabs for me. We will be selling custom empty cabs too. Let me know.

[BCR Greg]

I have a 64 Vibroverb on the bench, getting a new power tranny and speaker...

[slidincharlie]

I'm no pro at all. Tube amp modding and repair is nothing but a hobby for me (well, more than a hobby, since it occupies most of my spare time actually...). I work on my amps and on those of friends and very few players in my city.
Thus my bench is a very small and very simple one.

One 40W solder pen and a small soldering station
Solder, desoldering wick, desoldering pump
Fluke DMM
Japan made DMM
Many hand tools
Dremel tool
Small stock of parts (screws, bolts, washers, resistors, caps, jacks, plugs, pots, trimmers and so forth)
Magnifying lens
Various cables, connectors and jumpers
A home-made signal tracer
Bias probes
Several spare tubes (recent/UOS/NOS)
Caig products
Schematics
Books/videos/dvd's on tube amp repair and overhaul
A digital camera (I try to document the phases of my work).

[TheAmpNerd]

We have somewhat a different assortment of tools:
I took the tour too.

Got some pretty nice toys there Eric. :dude:dude

[TheAmpNerd]

Maybe I should try to do a Tyler "vomit" finish, just kiddng, I'm going to rescue that mahogany. But, some lesser wood and a vomit finish would look cool. Please tell me you wouldn't do the spray can
smell to get the "vomit" finish just right.

[teleamp]

Please tell me you wouldn't do the spray can
smell to get the "vomit" finish just right.

The sacrifices one has to make! No, but the vomit finishes are cool.

[TheAmpNerd]

I don't think I've seen one.
Do you have a pic of one?

I know I'm opening the "flood gates"
on this one.

[teleamp]

Wildwood guitars used to have 2 of them. I'll try to hunt down some pics.

[teleamp]

Tyler vomit finishes are cool.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i115/teleamp/32145vomit.jpg