Setting up a bench - what should I buy?

[Phil]

I can't believe no one suggested a Sencore
VA48 or VA62. Either is inexpensive today
and really all you need, other that DMM, to
service basically any television. If you become interested in the earlier sets there
is an eprom for the VA62 described on VK to
do those as well. As for variacs, capacitor checkers, etc. my question is why bother. I always replace all electrolytics, paper caps,
check every resistor before ever applying power the first time. More often than not I get good picture and sound on first power up and all that is needed further is alignment.
I also always install a complete set of the best grade NOS tubes in any set I restore.
Some may think this extreme, but the advantage is this: instead of spending a huge amount of time trying to sort out every issue one at a time I take care of them all at once. Also, I can fully expect the set will function well in daily use for years to come.
Just a thought,
Cheers

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by Phil

As for variacs, capacitor checkers, etc. my question is why bother. I always replace all electrolytics, paper caps,
check every resistor before ever applying power the first time. More often than not I get good picture and sound on first power up and all that is needed further is alignment.
I also always install a complete set of the best grade NOS tubes in any set I restore.
Some may think this extreme, but the advantage is this: instead of spending a huge amount of time trying to sort out every issue one at a time I take care of them all at once. Also, I can fully expect the set will function well in daily use for years to come.
Just a thought,
Cheers

Not extreme, just meticulous. I got a Powerite about 3.5 years ago but that's mostly for isolation. If a few aged capacitors need replacing I'll swap out all of them with the highest-quality 105-degree electrolytics I can find. I don't check all resistors though, that would be a PITA in a SS set and likely unnecessary. If I had a tube set to restore I would likely follow your lead, considering that I like to be very thorough.

As for items that aren't just for electronic repair a good vise will come in handy. I recently picked up an old Record No. 5 locally for my own bench. I suppose one could get away with one of those "helping hands" units with the alligator clips but I wanted something more versatile.