RE: Tube tester covered with Tolex -
TA Forbes - 10-03-2016
Ah HAH! A Precise 111 tester.
Those are an excellent instrument. In my opinion, they can do everything a Hickok 539 can do. AND it uses a 5KHz signal to develop Gm, vice the 60Hz signal used by nearly every other tube tester manufacturer except Weston.
If you have the opportunity, try using a solid state replacement tube for your 5U4 tube in the Precise. Without the 3A filament drain on your transformer, the instrument is able to measure high current tubes with less "sag," as it uses the "Hickok circuit."
RE: Tube tester covered with Tolex -
Kenneth F. Besso Jr. - 10-04-2016
I just pick a Precise 111 up,,from antique store $20.00,,,someone ,,did a real hack job on it,,,got terminals ,,all over the middle top section,,,Have not gottin into it yet,,,
RE: Tube tester covered with Tolex -
TA Forbes - 10-07-2016
Well... the bad thing is that many Precise 111s were "kit" sets, and some kit builders were better than others. AND then you have the previous owners who have never heard of the concept "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
IF you can get it working properly, it is an excellent instrument. If it comes in a full case with lid like the one in the photos, it is probably a "factory wired" model. The ones that came in a metal case with no lid were usually the kit models.
Three bits of advice: 1. The chassis and control panel are flimsy, make sure you have it braced when wotking on it out of the cabinet; 2. The potentiometers/rheostats used were cheap. Make sure they are all in good shape; 3. The "slide switches" on either side of the lower row of seven knobs are also prone to failure.
RE: Tube tester covered with Tolex -
Ron Ramirez - 10-08-2016
Welcome back, Tom!
Have you ever heard Red Green's variation on that theme - "If it ain't broke, you're not trying?"