Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

[M Towsley]

After searching the forum I have come to the conclusion I need some newer information from the forum members.

Who, of late, have you had do instrument repairs/restoration?

How long did it take?

Were you happy with the repair/restoration?

Were you happy with the cost?

Did they have a problem with any radium issues?

As always, thanks in advance!!!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Keystone instruments is fully licensed to handle Radium and does FIRST CLASS work. Yes, I DID have some minor problems with a ROC I sent them (they sent me back the wrong one, but I got the Fighter Factory ROC and they got mine. Since we were on the same field, we checked with Keystone and just swapped them.

They are NOT the fastest, CERTAINLY NOT the cheapest and there was that one shipping problem, but the work was fantastic and they were great to work with. When I get an instrument, the speed of the service is NOT high on my must have list, QUALITY is. I would say they were reasonable inexpensive. Inexpensive and cheap are very different. I do NOT want cheap work done on my instruments. Sometimes inexpensive costs more dollars. What is REALLY expensive is a cheap repair that fails in service.

I will be using Keystone for all my instrument work in the future (and NO, I don't have any connection with them other than being very happy with their work).

Hank

Before you send ANY Radium to anyone, get the instructions on how to mark the package. If you use U.S. Postal Service their radiation monitors will be set off and there is a good chance your package will be destroyed (and you will get a BIG bill for it). I think mine went by UPS or FedX with special markings on the package (and I took the package to them OPEN so they could see what was in it, but I don't think you have to).

[M Towsley]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

A good friend of mine did not have that great of service from Keystone, of late. That is why I was searching for others. Thanks Hank!

[astjp2]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

I cant afford Keystone (way over priced), so I went with Kansas instruments in Wichita.

[Ray36048]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

I will second Hank's remarks about Keystone. I own a Piper Cherokee and they have done all of my instrument work. I have been happy with the turn around time, my Cherokee is a flyer, not a project. Only one time did I ever have a problem. It showed up one year after they did the work. They stood behind it 100%. My instrument work goes to Keystone.

[TimHicks]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

I used Rudy instruments recently.
Good prices,, great service, fast, but I don't know about quality. I haven't put any of the instruments back into service yet.
They did tell me that my tach was unserviceable (I wasn't surprised, I have long been suspicious of that tach).
So I bought a new tach from Spruce.

[Guest]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

I used Rudy instruments recently.
Good prices,, great service, fast, but I don't know about quality. I haven't put any of the instruments back into service yet.
They did tell me that my tach was unserviceable (I wasn't surprised, I have long been suspicious of that tach).
So I bought a new tach from Spruce.

I have used Rudy a lot but the quality is poor. I had to send a lot back for re-do for obvious defects that never should have gotten to me. They were good about the problems and fixed it each time but the shipping and delay made the cost savings moot.

I originally used Century but moved to Rudy for cost. Now I am back with Century. Higher cost but #1 quality.

Sorry to have to say it about Rudy.

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Hey guys, please comment on the radium issues and if these instrument companies can handle it. Thank you for your comments!

[Guest]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Rudy handled radium issues that I had.

Century did also.

But... before you send anything ask the comapan because the answer may be different depending on the specific instrument.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Be sure you have ALL the facts on their certification for handling Radium and their specific shipping instructions (TAKE THEM WITH you to ship it, the kid at UPS or FedEx may not have ANY knowledge of what he is supposed to do). There are very strict controls on radiation handling and you can loose your instrument if the process gets screwed up. The instrument will be DESTROYED and YOU will get the bill for disposal (and it AIN'T CHEAP!)

There is a specific marking that has to be put on the package when it is shipped to warn the handlers that their radiation monitors will be going off. That was why I ALWAYS took the package to be shipped UN-SEALED. I wanted the people to SEE that there was not something in the package that wasn't supposed to be there. They marked the paperwork that they had witnessed what was in the package. They said it wasn't necessary, but sure made them feel better to KNOW the monitor was going to go off in advance.

Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

[QUOTE= They said it wasn't necessary, Hank[/QUOTE]

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Not necessary to show them the open package. The regs only require you to tell them what is in it, not show them. I just know if I was handling a package that would set the alarm off I would kind of like to know for myself that what was in it wasn't a danger to me or my co-workers. That was why they wrote on the paperwork that they had SEEN what was in it (and what wasn't). Everyone who handled the package would see the papers first, and seeing that one of their co-workers had looked inside would make them feel more secure. That radiation alarm doesn't go off very often. I imagine it gets your blood pressure to spike.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

If you want to see blood pressure spike, goto your local commercial airport and sprinkle some TSP around in front, the phosphates will have the alarm bells ringing when people get it on their shoes and try to walk through. Tim

[rjagodzi]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Several years ago I had Astro Instument Inc. in Detroit do my AS indicator (Aero Marine with radium dial). Good work, fast turn and reasonable.
Astro Instrument Inc


11496 Portlance St

Detroit, Michigan ( MI) 48205

Phone : 313-839-9133

[M Towsley]

Re: Instrument Repair, (Your Latest Opinion).

Thanks, guys. Keep your recommendations coming, I'm looking for a pattern, (besides Keystone).