My grandfather’s multimeter

Published: Fri 22 July 2016
By jimmo

In Misc.

I found this while going through some boxes of parts last weekend:

Vintage analog multimeter

I can remember using this as a kid, first learning about electronics. My main memory though is how easy it was for the plugs to break off the probe leads. None of this fancy flexible wire that we have today, the leads are quite stiff so there’s a lot of force on the solder joins. I can remember how this used to upset my grandfather but how much I used to love watching him solder them back together.

Sure enough, I opened the box and one of the leads was broken.

Broken lead

Easily fixed though!

Inside, it’s a thing of beauty and a joy forever. I don’t really have a feel for how old it is? 1960s? I can’t find anything like those resistors on image search.

Inside the multimeter

And it still works too! The current and voltage measurements are good, the resistance measurement struggled a bit because the calibration pot has seen better days. Photo below is 5.00V from the bench supply.

5V measurement

My grandfather “Jungle” (1916–2008) taught me so many things -- how to be curious about the world, the important of patience and temperament, and also that having lots of interests and hobbies is super fun!

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