some equipment info would be appreciated

[el_stu]

I'm new to the world of electronics and I need some help!

I'd like to get a good DMM, and I've read enough here to know that Fluke is the way to go.  Which is the best model for amp work?  Unfortunately, just buying the most expensive isn't an option.  I'd like the least expensive model I can get and still have all the necessary specs, but I don't know what the necessary specs are.  114-117, etc? 177? Any suggestions?

Also, there is a Simpson 265 on CL in my area for $50.  Is it worth it? How is it different from the 260?  I can't find any info on the 265, but tons on the 260.  I have an RCA wv-98c VTVM, will the Simpson be significantly better?

I also have a Leader LBO-54b O-scope.  I can't find any info on this either, is it any good? Anybody have any experience with Leader?

What about a Heathkit sp27A low voltage power supply and 1G1B audio supply? Info? Opinions?  I dug all this out of my dads shop, but I don't know much about it.  He hasn't touched 'em in 25 years or so, so he doesn't have much info either. All he could tell me was "they used to work".

Thanks in advance!

[tubesornothing]

You can totally get by with an inexpensive DMM.  If you have the cash a Fluke is a great meter, and will last for a long, long time.  Pick the cheapest autoranging Fluke you can find that has 1000V DC, AC and resistance.  mA current is nice as well.

The 265 is a good meter.  Analog meter is not required if you have a DMM, but it is nice for dynamic readings.  If the meter is in good shape, and the battery compartment is clean the $50 should be fine.

Cant find info on your scope - can you post some pics?  I use my scope a lot.  Sometimes to diagnose oscillation problems, sometimes to help craft distortion.  Ghat being said, a lot of guys manage just fine without them.  Have you tried it out?  Might need a bit of a tune up.

Cant find much info on the power supply.  If its low voltage DC it will have some use (not a lot), maybe for powering heaters trying to figure out hum problems.  Could also be used for building pedals and designing channel switchers. 

Whats the 1g1b?  Is that an audio generator?  If so, that is a good thing.  Goes hand in hand with a scope.

Post some pics of your gear.  I am sure PRR and sluckey will chime in with some good info.

[PRR]

I use basic DMMs, $60 20 years ago and not too different from today's $13 DMMs.

I finally own a Fluke but don't regret not having it sooner. Any basic working DMM is fine.

The Leader 'scope is proabably fine. The one I had was excellent except as it got old it took 20-30 minutes to stabilize. For the amount of work you are doing now, _IF_ yours is slow to cold-start, just leave it on for days at a time. 'Scopes don't eat much and don't really wear out. Modern ones don't even glow when there is no signal (a stationary glow-dot will burn the screen).

Some Simpsons are passive, high resistance but the low-range resistance is not as high as a VTVM or DMM. They are more for power and control systems than small vacuum-tube stages.

Watch your Eyes and Ones. I suspect "1G1B" is mis-read; Eye-Gee is how several Heath generators were designated. I never heard of a 1G1B.... but a IG18 is a very famous and excellent box. Mixing letters and numbers can confound an electronics tech.

[DummyLoad]

is your scope actually a leader LBO-514a?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leader-LBO-514A-Dual-Trace-Oscilloscope-15MHz-Lot-of-4_W0QQitemZ270502882264QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Oscilloscopes?hash=item3efb3a6bd8

[tubesornothing]

Well, well...  if your scope and generator are what the guys suspect you are all set to go.  Get your DMM and start building some amps!

[el_stu]

well, well, indeed...

So, I think I'll pass on the Simpson 265 because, and correct me if I'm wrong, the applications I would want to use it for can be easily done with a DMM or my RCA VTVM. Right?

Speaking of DMMs, I need auto arranging, 1000v DC, AC, resistance, and preferably mA current.  But, not necessarily an expensive one.  Got it.  I just found out that my buddy is a Fluke Distributor!  I knew he sold sensors to manufacturing facilities, but whaddya know!  I may just have to spring for one if I can get a deal.  Maybe he has a good line on a gently used one.

I think we have a winner with the 1G1B v. IG18 audio generator!  I can't check for sure, my gear is about a hundred miles away right now, but that is just too close.  Also explains why zero info was available, I'll bet I can find something now! Glad to hear that it may turn out to be a quality piece of equipment.

ISOTone, I can't swear it’s a LBO-54b (given my already demonstrated inability to distinguish letters and numbers), but it is definitely not the 514-a.  Thanks for one heck of a try, though.  Again, my stuff is temporarily out of reach, but I'll post some picks ASAP.

In the mean time, I'll leave you fellas with a picture of the soon to be electronics workshop I built into an 8x6 closet off my garage!  I've made everybody else look at 'em, why not you?   Now, I just have to finish filling it up with equipment...

Thanks again!

[tubesornothing]

Very nice - I look forward to the same picture filled with gear.  Here is mine...