[Tubejunke]

OR in opposition to a Sprague Tel Ohmike in which the better models (TO-5 and TO-6) are getting pretty pricey for vintage test equipment; you may opt for a Heathkit C3. To a large degree these old units have been all but forgotten about, but are essential for anyone doing what most of us here do in relation to testing capacitors. A Heathkit C3 can be obtained for less than $50. Of course it's the luck of the draw to obtain one that doesn't need a recap its self.

The great thing about the Heathkits is that they are super simple and you can replace all of the caps for beans and have a great piece of test equipment that they just don't make anymore. Most all of the old units no matter the manufacturer utilize a "magic eye" tube as the primary indicator of both value and leakage. The Spragues' use the "magic eye" along with panel meters which are a big plus.

Heathkit evolved to the final model IT-28 (made well into the 70s) which offers test voltages as low as 3 VDC. The older units only went to (I think) 25 VDC. Some of the more dated Heathkit units used a neon lamp (C-1, C-2) and the "magic eye. I like those the best or finally old Solar units can be obtained and have a really neat vintage look with exposed tubes and work well, but are way more complicated to restore.

Just ideas I think well worth looking into. At least you wont have to design and build your own.