Replacing Tektronix TM500 Faceplates

Your First Order Free at PCBWay: www.pcbway.com...
In this video I replace the broken plastic faceplates on some of my Tektronix TM500 modules with machined aluminium parts courtesy of PCBWay.
Links to files:
SG504:
www.pcbway.com...
PG506:
www.pcbway.com...
DM502:
www.pcbway.com...

[@BuildingSYMistress]

You and your brother are very clever/intelligent dudes D. and that you are 1)motivated to restore older equipment; 2)know HOW to but even significantly improve all of these many, different electrical devices and 3)that your channel is clearly a fantastic resource for many other tech. minded peep's across the World (obvious from the comments) really is impressive mate, congrat's and well done hey! 😁👍⛵

[@NearFarMedia]

Thanks! If this channel can help someone fix and improve their gear and provide a bit of education and entertainment, then I'm happy. :)

[@DarianCabot]

Very kind of you Bruce. Your project is a whole other scale 👍😁 great to see you stop by

[@IanScottJohnston]

They look very nice, and the end assembly looks spot on.

[@TheDefpom]

Agreed, is a nicely done replacement.

[@joshualegleiter3795]

Fantastic as always. Always excited to see a new NFM video!

[@nickloughrey9841]

These are really nice . There are a lot of TG501A,SC503,PG506A units out there with the newer red Lens that would benefit from this service if you had the time to make up the files for them .I certainly would invest in a set of the 3 .for my set . I'm presently looking for a SG504 and will get one for it two ...........Well done!................. these cosmetic projects are just what is needed as there are loads of working but crap looking 500/5000 modules out there .i wonder would PCWAY be able to reproduce the silk screen fronts as well ?PS I just did a couple of TM503 facelifts with your boards. Had a tight squeeze on the Nichicon 4700/63/105 caps I put in leu of the no longer available ones in your BOM. Worked out very well . I dont need the pinouts at the top so just insulated the area with capton below the wider caps.Thanks.

[@absurdengineering]

The fronts are OK DIY. Print with a color laser on an adhesive transparent printable label. Cover (“laminate”) with another label. Reuse old scratched up front end or have one laser cut without any legend.

[@pa1wbu]

Like the Dutch say "better than the original" 🍺👍🏻

[@soulrobotics]

fantastic Job. DenCraw, thanks a lot

[@stehlajz]

Looks very nice but have you considered insulation distance for the MM inputs? Because now the terminal screw is now going trough aluminium instead of plastic and the distance seems small and I cannot see any additional isolation. Just thinking because the original face-plate and brace-plate have much larger holes.

[@NearFarMedia]

Good point, a bit of glue lined heatshrink on the binding posts might be a good idea. I'll take a look at the 3D files and modify them to provide extra clearance.

[@joseabrahaoabrahao7937]

these face plates were perfect, this is very good to maintain the originality of the equipment. you are great, you show us that it is not impossible to recover equipment, you show us the solution. Good to see you, it's been a while since you've uploaded a new video.

[@IMSAIGuy]

how did you specify bead blasting when ordering

[@NearFarMedia]

When you follow the links in the video description, click on , then at the top select , you will see a drop down list called . In that list under select .

[@IMSAIGuy]

@@NearFarMedia thanks I found it. will have to try their anodizing next time. I also get sponsorship by them.

[@patmx5]

Very nicely done! Great idea!

[@artursmihelsons415]

Excellent job and cool looking! 👍 Only one question about multimeter - isn't banana sockets shorted together through aluminium plate because of small holes? 🤔 Original one was from plastic and was like insulator between sockets and it looks like these sockets don't have insulation ring around middle pole..

[@NearFarMedia]

Yeah, the updated version will have a wider clearance. On mine shown in the video, I'll drill it out for clearance and use some heat shrink on the binding post to provide some insulation.

[@artursmihelsons415]

@@NearFarMedia We all made mistakes, time by time.. Main thing is noticing them and correct them.. You did great work for community! 😉👍 Thanks for sharing!

[@barrybreaux5303]

That looks great! Nice job! How would you replace a DM502A?

[@NearFarMedia]

A 3D model would have to be drawn up in CAD of the part, unfortunately I don't have a DM502A so I can't do it myself.

[@barrybreaux5303]

The top screw holes are set back some. I was thinking it would have to be done in multiple pieces and fastened together.

[@NearFarMedia]

Ah yeah, I see they are the newer style front panels. I can make a blank design, but that's as far as I can go. I reckon it could be done as one piece, but may cost more than the older style plates in my video due to the larger size and complexity.

[@barrybreaux5303]

I bought one from a seller out of France. It has not arrived yet. I am hoping that looking at it will give me an idea.

[@rrrnovak123]

How much did it cost?

[@bobweiram6321]

Yup, get right to the point! I doubt they cost more than $50/piece, otherwise it would make the repair not worthwhile.

[@NearFarMedia]

If you watch the video, I mention the cost near the end.... About US$45 a piece. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4uXfaB8r912bJo

[@matthyne4379]

Can you show us how you make these - eg how you get the measurements so accurate in the design software

[@absurdengineering]

I’ve made some too - just used digital calipers and a bit of mechanical common sense.

[@johnbb99]

They are great, really nicely done, but worth $45 ea [+P&P]? I'd keep my money, and turn a blind eye. But damaged faceplates would be a different matter.

[@TheDefpom]

Nice

[@anotherlin]

What is the price of the individual aluminium plates without shipping? Thank you

[@NearFarMedia]

Watch the video to the end, I mention the price there somewhere. :)

[@anotherlin]

@@NearFarMedia Ok, it's 45 bucks each. I thought the video was over (the usual thanks to PCBWay or JLCPCB sponsors), I should have watch till the end. Will do so, next time, promise :)

[@NearFarMedia]

Ha, gotta wait for that Marvel Studios style post-credits scene... :D

[@jspencerg]

Now to get those disentegrating knobs replaced...

[@NearFarMedia]

Yeah... Those knobs can be a bit of a problem... I have a couple bits of gear with knobs that need attention actually. Check out my TG501 video for one idea to repair the knobs using JB Weld. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2avgqOnrNaBf7c My late model PG506 needs a new knob made from scratch too, it's still waiting for its turn on the healing bench.

[@pa1wbu]

You did mention PCBway do injection moulding... 😂

[@jspencerg]

@@pa1wbu Lathe project.

[@gordonwelcher9598]

Please, silly music with the deep modulation not needed.

[@absurdengineering]

Silly music keeps me awake :)