I used to have one, older than the one posted here. I still have the roll cart, and use it to store oil filters and the like.
Picked up a Sun Scope
- Thread starter Scott_Tucker
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It does look good in your garage! It look cool to have one, if i had room!
I learned ignition system operation and troubleshooting on that same model.
Nice find
Nice find
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Its in really great shape except for the dent in the cabinet. Everything works. I don't know when it was last calibrated but there really isn't anything that needs to be calibrated on them. It was serviced regularly when it was in active duty.
I first used this machine when I started at the school in 1988. My specialty has always been high performance cars and doing restorations so I have have used one of these machines consistantly of the last 20+ years. I found in my career that even when they were new, few people truly knew how to use it to the maximum of its capabilities. It is such a huge timensaver. This one will spend its days hooked up to Ferraris, Shelby Cobras, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Bugattis, etc.
I knew the school was sending it to auction so I tracked it and bid. luckily no one else was interested. I also got 2 other oscilloscope only machines. Last week I picked up a vintage distributor machine too. I got this one for $25 and I've already been offered $250 for it but I'm never selling it. The distributot machine I got for $90.
This machine has the scope, amp meter, volt meter, dwell meter, cylinder balance, and timing light.
I first used this machine when I started at the school in 1988. My specialty has always been high performance cars and doing restorations so I have have used one of these machines consistantly of the last 20+ years. I found in my career that even when they were new, few people truly knew how to use it to the maximum of its capabilities. It is such a huge timensaver. This one will spend its days hooked up to Ferraris, Shelby Cobras, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Bugattis, etc.
I knew the school was sending it to auction so I tracked it and bid. luckily no one else was interested. I also got 2 other oscilloscope only machines. Last week I picked up a vintage distributor machine too. I got this one for $25 and I've already been offered $250 for it but I'm never selling it. The distributot machine I got for $90.
This machine has the scope, amp meter, volt meter, dwell meter, cylinder balance, and timing light.
A distributor machine would be so cool to have...
except there isn't a single car or truck in my stable with a distributor!
except there isn't a single car or truck in my stable with a distributor!
The one I got is from the 1950s so its got that really cool art deco look. Even if i never used it, it would be a great display. Fortunately, I do have a use for it so it should see a lot of use once I get it up and running.
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
The one I got is from the 1950s so its got that really cool art deco look. Even if i never used it, it would be a great display. Fortunately, I do have a use for it so it should see a lot of use once I get it up and running.
I recurved many a distributor back in the old daze. It was one of my first and most favorite mods to those 70's and 80's smogged up motors. A handful of springs and half an hour and the car would have a different personality!
The one I got is from the 1950s so its got that really cool art deco look. Even if i never used it, it would be a great display. Fortunately, I do have a use for it so it should see a lot of use once I get it up and running.
I recurved many a distributor back in the old daze. It was one of my first and most favorite mods to those 70's and 80's smogged up motors. A handful of springs and half an hour and the car would have a different personality!
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
These scopes are not suitable for testing electronic sensors. They are for testing ignition systems only.
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
These scopes are not suitable for testing electronic sensors. They are for testing ignition systems only.
Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
These scopes are not suitable for testing electronic sensors. They are for testing ignition systems only.
What makes you say that? A scope is a general piece of equipment and even old oscilloscopes were fast enough to test sensors.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
These scopes are not suitable for testing electronic sensors. They are for testing ignition systems only.
What makes you say that? A scope is a general piece of equipment and even old oscilloscopes were fast enough to test sensors.
Distributor machines seem cool, but since you have to test the spring settings in the car anyway, they are kinda pointless.
A tach and timing light in the car will net you the same results, plus you get the necessary testing bed.
A tach and timing light in the car will net you the same results, plus you get the necessary testing bed.
I believe you will always get the best results in the car but there are some things you can't test with just a timing light, such as a bent distributor shaft. However, that shows up readily on the scope.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
These scopes are not suitable for testing electronic sensors. They are for testing ignition systems only.
What makes you say that? A scope is a general piece of equipment and even old oscilloscopes were fast enough to test sensors.
These scopes are not for general use. Although you could adapt it I guess, it would be better to just use a lab scope.
Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: spackard
I've been trying to figure out what I'd use an oscilloscope for, DIY automotive repair-wise. I'd love to get a RIGOL or an OWON, if I could figure out how I'd really need it. So far (30+ years DIY) I've gotten along without one, by coming up with cheap hacks.
Read the article pointed to in my post.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post2438326
These scopes are not suitable for testing electronic sensors. They are for testing ignition systems only.
What makes you say that? A scope is a general piece of equipment and even old oscilloscopes were fast enough to test sensors.
These scopes are not for general use. Although you could adapt it I guess, it would be better to just use a lab scope.
Nice find and nice price.
I think they're an essential piece of equipment if you do any kind of diagnostic work. Real time savers. Provided you can still hook it up to the engine in question and read a scope pattern.
There aren't too many people around that service them any more. There might be a service shop's sticker on that thing someplace. Most of the good repair guys work out if their own garages these days.
When my Dad sold his business, I lost access to a scope. I bought a built Heathkit off ebay years ago. I still have an occasion to use it.
I think they're an essential piece of equipment if you do any kind of diagnostic work. Real time savers. Provided you can still hook it up to the engine in question and read a scope pattern.
There aren't too many people around that service them any more. There might be a service shop's sticker on that thing someplace. Most of the good repair guys work out if their own garages these days.
When my Dad sold his business, I lost access to a scope. I bought a built Heathkit off ebay years ago. I still have an occasion to use it.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Distributor machines seem cool, but since you have to test the spring settings in the car anyway, they are kinda pointless.
A tach and timing light in the car will net you the same results, plus you get the necessary testing bed.
"Pointless"? Was that a pun? Hahahaha...
But after you do a few you can quickly determine which way you want to go with the spring selection. It's been a LONG time but I got to where I could come up with a perfect or near perfect timing advance curve very easily.
Plus you could troubleshoot the distributor itself, bent shafts and poor bearings, etc. make bad things happen at high rpm. Not too many people are going to DRIVE with a timing light connected and the hood open!
Distributor machines seem cool, but since you have to test the spring settings in the car anyway, they are kinda pointless.
A tach and timing light in the car will net you the same results, plus you get the necessary testing bed.
"Pointless"? Was that a pun? Hahahaha...
But after you do a few you can quickly determine which way you want to go with the spring selection. It's been a LONG time but I got to where I could come up with a perfect or near perfect timing advance curve very easily.
Plus you could troubleshoot the distributor itself, bent shafts and poor bearings, etc. make bad things happen at high rpm. Not too many people are going to DRIVE with a timing light connected and the hood open!
Originally Posted By: paulo57509
Nice find and nice price.
I think they're an essential piece of equipment if you do any kind of diagnostic work. Real time savers. Provided you can still hook it up to the engine in question and read a scope pattern.
There aren't too many people around that service them any more. There might be a service shop's sticker on that thing someplace. Most of the good repair guys work out if their own garages these days.
When my Dad sold his business, I lost access to a scope. I bought a built Heathkit off ebay years ago. I still have an occasion to use it.
I'm lucky to be one of the few that can still use one. I plan on keeping this one until I retire. By then, everyone will be driving flying electric cars and I'll be the only one that knows how to work on carbureted cars and will do it for extra cash, lol.
Heathkit used to make some great automotive equipment. I've got an old dwell meter that was my grandpa's.
Nice find and nice price.
I think they're an essential piece of equipment if you do any kind of diagnostic work. Real time savers. Provided you can still hook it up to the engine in question and read a scope pattern.
There aren't too many people around that service them any more. There might be a service shop's sticker on that thing someplace. Most of the good repair guys work out if their own garages these days.
When my Dad sold his business, I lost access to a scope. I bought a built Heathkit off ebay years ago. I still have an occasion to use it.
I'm lucky to be one of the few that can still use one. I plan on keeping this one until I retire. By then, everyone will be driving flying electric cars and I'll be the only one that knows how to work on carbureted cars and will do it for extra cash, lol.
Heathkit used to make some great automotive equipment. I've got an old dwell meter that was my grandpa's.
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