#1273 Tektronix 576 Curve Tracer (part 1 of 9)

Episode 1273
A $200 barn find. Might be a boat anchor but might be able to get it running. Not sure.

[Edisson.]

Hi, these are worth saving, they are amazing machines. I don't call this "Restoration" anymore, it's "Exhumation of corpses", but all the more joy when it's done.

A beautiful day 🙂 Tom

[stephentrier]

This has been on my dream workbench for decades now. I have neither the space, budget, nor need for one, but it's an incredible piece of equipment.

A physicist I know sometimes used his lab's 576 as a spot-welder. It can deliver a lot of energy to those test sockets.

[fredmitchel]

Good job...

A nice curve tracer...

I will follow along...

[td]

Super find! Who doesn't dream of having one of these?

[Betterstartnow]

Working on one of these myself, takes up some bench space but these are nice to have around when you want to test MOSFET's.

[romancharak]

Long-term Project, is an understatement. Please take us along for the journey.

[PapasDino]

I had a 575, the old tube model, but decided since it was a thermatron machine I ended up recycling it. This should be a good project!

[glindhol]

What a great find! I hope you will be able to restore it to its proper glory.

[rrb]

a couple of weeks ago I've received a 7403N scope from 1972!! I am all excitement but after first steps of speleology, found crt broken... was sad, I really like to bring back that tek to life again. It looks like your curvetracer, very dirty and corroded, I wanted to restore it. But broken crt was too much :( Good luck from Spain!!

[OC]

Looks like there's a reel of silver solder in there!

[tseckwr]

Send it to Mr. Carlson... Make sure you replace those insulated couplers with insulated couplers.

[Mark-hbzf]

Definitely looks like the PWB was laid out by hand (i.e. pre CAD). Ages ago, I remember seeing drafting guys taping artwork to make film by hand.

[ZenwizardStudios]

Before spending to much time on the rebuild, the HV transformer needs to be checked and the tube. Either one of those failed it is a parts unit they are unobtainum. There are several projects in the works to replace the CRT with an LCD however these have not born fruit yet. Brown HV transformer, Double peaking or high hour CRT and the unit is terminal unfortunately.

[PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

On the inventory tag, “CCD” likely means “Community College District.”

[andymouse]

Oh so jealous ! I would love a meaty long (ish) term project like this, are you gonna resurrect then restore to full glory or stop at working ? whatever it will be great to watch....cheers.

[rrb]

you have one nut follower for this project :D

[brianwong]

That’s a great find! I believe that your unit came from the SJ Evergreen Community College District; that CCD.

[polaraligned]

I have 2 of these restored and working. I don't think I would pay $200 for this. The HV transformers in these go bad.

[bobbauvian]

I see a band saw to the right, and a lathe on the left. you do everything ha? Nice. It seems you are close by (bay area?).
the reason I am watching your video is not just, because I like, enjoy and learn from all your videos, though, quite a few, pass way over my head at this time.
I just got one of those 576 as well in better shape than the one you are showing. believe it or not for about the same price as yours. The inside look very clean. just a little dust on 1 board. the trace is really messed up. and It seems to have something to do with the 3 switches "display: Invert, and Display offset: zero and Cal". as soon as I touched them it got really worst.
I am lost on how to get to them through the back, so, I can spray them with cleaner, or should I just spray into the face hopping it will get in them. looking at them from top, I see the switch body is setting a little further back from the push buttons. any input would be appreciated.

[galileo_rs]

9 parts? Maybe do a survey what other viewers think but these x parts over days is kind of annoying.