HP CRT Mold

I unsubscribed from this list because of the volume, but I still read the monthly archives. I noticed than some people were wondering about the HP CRT mold problem. I really did solve it, by building a wooden box (to contain the IMPLODING crt), and mounting the CRT in it. Then, I went to the hobby store and got some nichrome wire used in cutting foam for model airplanes. I used an old AT power supply at 12 volts to power the wire, to just below red hot (I determined the length of nichrome wire to do this with expermentally, it was about 3.5 feet). I made wooden handles with screws to hold the wire as I sliced through (very slowly!!!) the old RTV, keeping the nichrome wire towards the front glass and not touching the CRT. after the front glass came off, acetone was used to remove the remaining old RTV, and all glass surface were cleaned spotless before reassembly with aquarium RTV around the edges. Of course, this was all VERY VERY hazardous and no SANE person should EVER even CONSIDER doing this (liability issues...). I completely restored my 2644A including getting both tape drives working, good matching paint, and I even buffed the yellowing keys back to original condition (very tedious work). But it is an amazing, cost is not object machine. The switching power supply is crystal controlled!!! My tube didn't have very serious phosphor burns so I felt that it was worth this effort. If anyone wants the CRT box they can have it for the cost of shipping. Hope I won't have to use it again! You actually can buy NEW crt's like this one - for $250!!! I also put new CRT's in my ADM-3a's (much cheaper, around $45 shipped, as I recall). Some details on the HP and ADM-3a CRT replacements are at: http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl I've been working on 6120's, tiny paper tape readers powered by laptop power supplies, and a Scelbi clone capable of running SCELBAL (which I have resurrected). ===== -Steve Loboyko Incredible wisdom actually found in a commerical fortune cookie: "When small men cast long shadows, then it is very late in the day." Website: http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/