I recently bought some assortments of old components from a consignment shop. They got the stuff from an estate sale of a guy who used to run a TV repair shop.

So here I am with a box with a rat's nest of old 1/2 watt carbon-comp resistors and old caps, even the molded caps that look like red plastic catalytic converters from your exhaust system. There are some resistors that I've never seen before: they look like small red transistors/or little buttons, with the leads coming out of one end like a radial cap.

So I could probably test the values of the resistors and use them here and there for that authentic "vintage look", and I can test the caps for their true values as well, but can someone confirm that all caps will degrade over time? I assume that electrolytics are useless after forty years of no use, but even other kinds of caps?

Roger

Do those red caps happen to have six dots in a 2x3 pattern on one side? If so, they're silver-mica and will last a very very very long time. Good caps!

I would be cautious of paper/foil caps and any electrolytics will probably look like metal cans of some sort or another, but aside from those.... you're probably in good shape; longevity wise.

When it comes to qhality though.... new materials are just ll around better. You could always add a couple "vintage" parts to a layout but not connect them if you just want the look.

Watch out for leaky caps. Some of the old oil caps used PCB oils which are fairly carcinogenic.

I might be able to tell you more if you could post a pic.

Take care,
-Peter

Quote from: Peter SnowbergDo those red caps happen to have six dots in a 2x3 pattern on one side? If so, they're silver-mica and will last a very very very long time. Good caps!

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They sure are. Thanks for the info. There really aren't many, if any electrolytics in the bunch. Maybe two or three. Just tons of those old style resistors.

I scored a couple of other goodies from this store, including a couple of Germanium transistors, and a very vintage tube oscilloscope that at the very least, just gave me nine chickenhead knobs, and a very cool looking front panel that I might hang on the wall.

Roger

Hey Peter,

What happens with the paper/foil?
I just bought some.....  :cry:

Over time the wood pulp paper breaks down and at least with tube amps they have a habit of exploding into a shower of aluminum and paper confetti (as a side note, hemp paper would not break down like that). In effects, I don't think it would be much of a problem. Give 'em a shot and please post how you like them. They generally have a very non-inductive construction which is good.

If you want to test them for breakdown, clip them on your DMM with it set to megohms and test for leakage. No leakage and you should be good to go.


Rodgre, I think those caps are from Cornell Dubilier just to add some info. I used one in a Fender Super tone control upgrade a few years back and loved the look and performance.


Take care,
-Peter

Cool information as always thank you.
BTW I think your on to the new whiz bang thing if we can get some hemp caps made!!!!
Except there will have to be a disclaimer about not inhaling the magic blue mojo smoke should it escape from the amp!!!  :shock:

:lol:

These folks are here in town: http://www.tonetubby.com/speaker.htm

Carlos likes 'em! :mrgreen:

I'm looking at using them in some combos one of these days.

-Peter

I remeber a while back someone had a thread about taking effects on a plane- imagine taking a home made electronics device through security, complete with hemp parts! that could make for a very fun afternoon, if you get my drift... :wink:
In all seriousness Peter, it sounds like it they would be a great part to have.
Cheers,
Luke