HOWTO build a faux-antique oscilloscope
Andrew Smith built this stately and elegant "toy oscilloscope" that actually works but, he says, is more "intended to be a decorative conversation piece." He made his plans available via Electronics Weekly's Gadget Freak. From the project page:
Link (via MAKE: Blog)I discovered that I had a really cute little 7cm CRT in the loft, together with several other valves of different types, and it seemed a good idea to make something decorative with them. For me, a lot of the charm of this piece resides in the unconventional layout and design, using a polished wooden box instead of the more usual metal chassis.
I have made several other projects in this genre which can be found here. I use pieces of mahogany strip left over from a hardwood floor; scrap material of this kind is readily available from local flooring companies, and with simple hand tools very satisfying results can be gained. There is an intended reference to the form of construction used for electrical equipment in the early decades of the last century, but in my hands the genre has gained a life of its own, and has become completely anachronistic.
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In college I used to comb local thrift stores for old Apple ][ monitors that I would then rewire such that they could be connected to a stereo and the signal would go through the coils at the back of the CRT. It was very "reactive" to the music and I made a few for friends, one was an old school Mac. Good luck doing that with todays LCD displays.
This is such a cool idea - not only is the device neat to look at, but the concept of reusing old parts holds appeal. And being a woodworker by hobby, I especially like the box. I don't have the parts lying around in my spares box, but think the thing is so neat I may go out and buy them anyway!
Thanks for a great design and for publishing the circuit diagrams to make it possible for guys like me, who lack the expertise to design the thing, able to build it.