IBM 5155 analogue display fault

[Tony Duell]

> 
> > It's not serious if a Bristol Spline _key_ goes astray, that was never
> > part of the original machine.
> 
> Maybe not for the PC's we're talking about here, but many pieces of
> classic equipment contain the special tools needed to work on them.

I;ve worked on classic monitors (a Barco colour one, and an HP vector 
display) that have the extneder boards stored in a spare slot of the 
cardcage. Very useful when you need to repair them....

> For example, many R-390A's have brackets on the back for the Bristol Spline
> key and screwdriver, Tek scopes with ceramic terminal strips have a
> little spool of the right kind of silver-bearing solder on a holder

Only the better onse AFAIK. The 555 and 556 do, I don't think the 545 
does....

> inside, etc.  For the nuts who insist on 100% authenticity, having the
> original tools/rolls of solder does matter.  There was a case last week

I may not insist on originality, and I will certainly refill the reel of 
solder inu my Tekky when I use it all up, but I do like the tools, etc to 
be present. I would want to replace them with similar tools if they were 
msising.

> of a single spool of normal tin-lead solder selling for hundreds of $
> just because of the name on the label!

YEs, but presuambly that was to an Audiophool who actually thinks he can 
hear the difference....

-tony