time lapse counter -- when work was art

When I saw this at surplus, I had to have it. Fortunately, it was only $5. Much of the equipment I buy at surplus is intended for repurposing, but I plan to keep this exactly as it is.

It was built with point to point wiring. The workmanship is impeccable. Wires are neatly arranged and tied into bundles. Components are arranged in rows. The front panel is green with a red back layer. The legends are carved into the front of the panel, exposing the red back layer.

It was in perfect condition, until I decided to straighten out a bent switch handle and broke it off :-(

Corning PH meter

I bought this from NCSU Surplus for $1. I liked the 70's design and the big panel meter (the biggest panel meter I have ever seen.)

The circuit board is very striking, with lots of colorful components. On the inside of the back cover is a schematic of the meter (something which you would never see these days. The main outer case is cast aluminum, with a bent aluminum back cover.

It came from the Entymology department, which I could have guessed from all the dead bugs inside.

My plans are to remove the circuit board and use it as an enclosure for a Chronulator. I plan to use the hour meter to tell the time, since it is large enough.

I figured out how to mount the meter without the circuit board, and built the Chronulator. The main roadblock now is completing the meter face.

Wooden switch box

Found this switch box at the Raleigh Flea Market. I had actually seen this twice before, on different Saturdays, but passed it by. Finally, I asked the seller if he would take $10 for this box, and another which I'll be covering later. The build quality was quite good, probably built in the 50's or 60's.

Inspection of the internals showed that it was an 8 way switch box -- it connects a pair of common terminals to a selected pair of terminals. The switch detents are implemented by a pair of metal rollers and a round plate with radial slots. As the switch is rotated, the rollers drop into the slots at the appropriate positions.

There is a small indicator window under the rotary switch that indicates the switch position.

I'm not sure I can make much use of this as is; it's not quite in the condition for something that I would put on display, but the box would make a nice housing for a custom built piece of equipment.

As seems to be common for equipment of this era, parallel wires are neatly bond together with cord.

Point of Sale Terminal?

Originally posted May 11, 2009 at http://tomkarches.blogspot.com

I found this item on a recent trip to the Raleigh Flea Market. It appeared to be some sort of custom point-of sale terminal. It had :

• smart card slot
• credit card scanner
• PC card attachment
• large rectangular touch screen

There were no external markings. It was only $1, so what the heck. As is usual with such items, I take them apart.

The internals are a spectacular mess. Wires go in every direction. Copious silicone caulk holds it together. The PC Card/flash connector on the back goes nowhere. Apparently a design change.

I am impressed at the volume of stuff they managed to jam in there :

• smart card reader
• credit card scanner
• processor board
• VGA PC Card
• thermal printer
• 2 rechargable batteries
• 2 alkaline batteries, caulked in place
• 4 AA battery holder
• 2 AA battery holder
  
• LCD touch screen
• 2 pushbuttons

And of course the case, which is the best part. It will make a nice case for an upcoming project.

Finally a purpose....

I registered this Blogger domain not really knowing what I would do with it. I now realize it is the perfect place for my "alien autopsy" photos of the old test equipment and toys that I like to take apart. It's fun to see what makes them work and how they are built. There is a certain "style" to some older equipment, which often reflects the design idioms of their time. There are pieces that show remarkable build quality, and some that is quite simply, a mess.