Sencore TR139 Transistor Tester
 

Can't give enough credit to this handy gadget. It helped me diagnose a difficult subwoofer amp repair. The transistor that was the problem tested great on a diode multimeter setting, a reasonable assumption, but the TR-139 gave an "in-circuit-test" of 0 beta and maximum leakage test. Had I not have this, the repair would have been a crap shoot.

I love my Sencore transistor analyzers - TF17A and a TF166. The condensed transistor/FET guide they came with is pretty handy too, although dated.

I use them for testing FETs mostly, but occasionally for germanium leakage testing. I picked up a lot of ~1100 germanium transistors, most used, and have been sorting through them on cold evenings. I'm no where near half way - boring work....

sencore tr139
 

I used zif socket for just that purpose. It allows me to quickly test loose transistors. You can see it in the picture, it's the green device in front.

Me too, I used this:

http://www.talonix.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=14572

Cheers,