On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:59:50 GMT, "Dave August"
wrote:

No prob Al, Glad to be of some help

FYI When the Variac blew I called "Standard Power" .. When I asked about
brushs, the laughter about the age of the Variac was too funny, and of
course the answer was not only NO. but that brushs and a holder for a newer
model that I'd have to modify was gonna be $150.00 ++... I balked... They
pointed me at some old geezer up in Oakland CA (I'm in Monterey) who they
said *might* be of help...

I called...he was obviously a COG (Crusty Old Geezer).. Wondered what I
used it for.. I said .."Uh... it powers my BridgePort".. His tone of voice
changed INSTANY and the the old guy says.. "Well jeez, go git a alternator
shop and make yer own, thats what I do..." !!!!!!

I hit the local alternator shop and it's too funny for words... EVERYTHING
including the guy who ran it was covered in black carbon.. I ask about
buying some brushs.. he says "show me the alternator".. I say.. "uh... it
for experiments".. he points to a HUGE pile (I'm not kidding 3 feet around
and 3 feet high) of used ones and says.. :take any of them ya want for
free".... :-))))

--.- Dave
Sounds like the time I needed to repair a chart recorder - the hub
mechanism that held the paper disc in place had been modified 18 times
too often. I called the manufacturer, and over the next half hour,
reached the old geezer who had stayed around to sweep floors because
he didn't have anything else to do. To make a long story short, I
received the last remaining hub in the mail, free of charge - because
the price marked on the paper envelope read $0.18, and they didn't
want to bother invoicing that amount to the Government of Canada.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada