falter
Veteran Member
I released a new video today where I did a cursory examination of my ADM-1, gave some history, etc. It's doing well, but one of the commenters took issue with my poking around the unit. Basically his synopsis was, I was doing it all wrong, and damaging precious historical equipment. He happened to have a channel of his own, I checked it out, and yeah, he *really* gets into it. He had a Wang terminal he totally took apart, replaced caps -- all kinds of stuff, much of it well above my pay grade or desire.
I'm not sure specifically what he took issue with in my video. I basically lifted off the grimy, cracked cover with flaking paint, I removed the keyboard, I gave it a all a good and careful cleaning, removed dirt and industrial grime from the chassis. I removed the CRT base to get a look at the motherboard, because I thought viewers would appreciate seeing that. I tested (off camera) the power supply with my scope (admittedly, still a newbie, but nothing went on fire afterward), and fired it up, did some cursory tests. It wasn't a 'restoration' video, it was more of a 'history of LSI + let's open up and look around inside an ADM-1' video. Restoration will come later. I really didn't think this machine had anywhere to go but up, really, given its condition. I certainly think it is better in my (climate controlled) hands than where it came from.
Anyway, back to my title. What is the 'correct' procedure for restoring things? I've kind of googled and read debates, and it seems to break down into two camps - one camp thinks you need to disassemble everything completely, replace every cap and diode, check every trace for cracks, etc. Others, like me, just try to get the thing running as best we can. For my part, I always treat my machines with respect, and I try to learn on each project. But I am *not* a concours restorer. I don't like completely replacing componentry if it isn't necessary - I think that takes away from the originality of the machine. If a machine has scuffs or etchings from its previous owners, I treat that as 'patina'.
What's your position, vcfedders?
I'm not sure specifically what he took issue with in my video. I basically lifted off the grimy, cracked cover with flaking paint, I removed the keyboard, I gave it a all a good and careful cleaning, removed dirt and industrial grime from the chassis. I removed the CRT base to get a look at the motherboard, because I thought viewers would appreciate seeing that. I tested (off camera) the power supply with my scope (admittedly, still a newbie, but nothing went on fire afterward), and fired it up, did some cursory tests. It wasn't a 'restoration' video, it was more of a 'history of LSI + let's open up and look around inside an ADM-1' video. Restoration will come later. I really didn't think this machine had anywhere to go but up, really, given its condition. I certainly think it is better in my (climate controlled) hands than where it came from.
Anyway, back to my title. What is the 'correct' procedure for restoring things? I've kind of googled and read debates, and it seems to break down into two camps - one camp thinks you need to disassemble everything completely, replace every cap and diode, check every trace for cracks, etc. Others, like me, just try to get the thing running as best we can. For my part, I always treat my machines with respect, and I try to learn on each project. But I am *not* a concours restorer. I don't like completely replacing componentry if it isn't necessary - I think that takes away from the originality of the machine. If a machine has scuffs or etchings from its previous owners, I treat that as 'patina'.
What's your position, vcfedders?
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