Ludlum Model 9

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Andrew Robinson
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Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Well I finally decided to resurrect the old Ludlum Model 9 and give it its day in the sun. Like many of these hand helds, someone left the batteries in too long. I acquired this one after the fact so I cannot be held accountable or scoffed at haha. At any rate though, it only seemed fitting to give this little guy the full make over. So, without further ado, here is the process thus far...
Meter before disassembly.
Meter before disassembly.
Battery compartment.
Battery compartment.
Analog meter.
Analog meter.
Base removed. Notice the speaker cable was torn off. I don't know how the previous owner missed the pin header on the main board...
Base removed. Notice the speaker cable was torn off. I don't know how the previous owner missed the pin header on the main board...
Side view board close up.
Side view board close up.
Underside sliding window.
Underside sliding window.
Faceplate disassembled.
Faceplate disassembled.
Close up of battery compartment.
Close up of battery compartment.
Back side of faceplate.
Back side of faceplate.
Battery lid top.
Battery lid top.
Battery lid bottom.
Battery lid bottom.
Calibration shield.
Calibration shield.
New silkscreen test printout.
New silkscreen test printout.
Base side.
Base side.
Base top.
Base top.
Base bottom.
Base bottom.
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Andrew Robinson
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

All cast parts now cleaned up. New paint and touch ups tomorrow in preparation for heading out for silkscreen.
Most of the mechanical components either waiting for paint or reassembly.
Most of the mechanical components either waiting for paint or reassembly.
Closeup of the faceplate now completely cleaned up.
Closeup of the faceplate now completely cleaned up.
Base completely cleaned up.
Base completely cleaned up.
Inside base.
Inside base.
Base window and phenolic.
Base window and phenolic.
Battery lid cleaned up.
Battery lid cleaned up.
Some of the electrical components.
Some of the electrical components.
Desiccant container with capsules needing reactivation.
Desiccant container with capsules needing reactivation.
Main circuit board.
Main circuit board.
Organized chaos.
Organized chaos.
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Andrew Robinson
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Here are the silk screen templates I created to reproduce the front panel. They are to scale.
Faceplate silkscreen.
Faceplate silkscreen.
Battery lid silkscreen.
Battery lid silkscreen.
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Richard Hull
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Richard Hull »

Completely over the top on this effort. I have never seen this done. I woulda' cleaned/replaced the contacts sanded the battery box and shot a little paint over the sanding work in the box and that would have been it. I have restored many, many counters of all types over the years, but never went to this length. Great job!

Richard Hull
Progress may have been a good thing once, but it just went on too long. - Yogi Berra
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
The more complex the idea put forward by the poor amateur, the more likely it will never see embodiment
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Anything that's worth doing is worth over doing :)

Still waiting on humidity to drop to a more acceptable level for first coat of paint. Decided on a silver hammered look. Should be a great choice to contrast with all the black. I am a little sad about the tan though. I have always had a love hate relationship with Ludlum tan. Ultimately I decided not to try to replicate it. It just wouldn't come out right. The hammered silver will be really nice. More updates soon once humidity drops (Hate painting inside shop). Thanks for the praise Richard.
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Andrew Robinson
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

So after two paintings... Yes... two separate. I screwed up the first try (at least by my standards) and had to re-sandblast EVERYTHING haha. Second attempt came out more to my liking. I finally decided against silkscreen. While its a really easy process and I have a shop that sends out parts for silkscreen sometimes twice a week, I just opted to hold off for now. I'm actually going to pass this little guy onto someone else who needs it. I have no use for this meter, but it was fun to breathe some new life into it for someone else to cherish for many years to come. Here are the final assembly pictures. The only thing I didn't do was silkscreen and replace the pin for the door. Both are very easy fixes though. I'm going to put it up on eBay if anyone here is interested. You should know about a few problems before bidding though:

1. I already said, I did not silkscreen it, however I will provide all the artwork I made to have it silkscreened.
2. The meter needle was broken initially. Since it was hanging by a thread I went ahead and snipped it so it looks much better. Still readable (see pictures)
3. The battery cover pin corroded away and was subsequently snipped flush. It needs to be pushed out and replaced, or you could throw a Velcro strap around the whole thing to hold together. Your choice.

That's it! Everything else is in PRISTINE condition. Brand new desiccant too!

Lots of pictures to follow:
Base with window reattached
Base with window reattached
Base with window reattached (Phenolic slide open)
Base with window reattached (Phenolic slide open)
Second time around with paint I opted to keep the sandblasted finish on the inside. Actually looks much cleaner this way.
Second time around with paint I opted to keep the sandblasted finish on the inside. Actually looks much cleaner this way.
Sandblasted interior. Starting reassembly.
Sandblasted interior. Starting reassembly.
Newly painted front face. Isn't it perty :)
Newly painted front face. Isn't it perty :)
Adding electronics
Adding electronics
Connecting Ion Chamber
Connecting Ion Chamber
Ion chamber mounted back in place
Ion chamber mounted back in place
New DRICAPs sealed up
New DRICAPs sealed up
Old indicating DRICAP completely used up. I could not reactivate them. They were so saturated that following the manufactures procedure for reactivation caused them to balloon and explode. Had to purchase replacements.
Old indicating DRICAP completely used up. I could not reactivate them. They were so saturated that following the manufactures procedure for reactivation caused them to balloon and explode. Had to purchase replacements.
Old next to the new. They're smaller, but I made sure to optimize the space in CAD first before placing order for specific size.
Old next to the new. They're smaller, but I made sure to optimize the space in CAD first before placing order for specific size.
New DRICAPs fit in perfectly.
New DRICAPs fit in perfectly.
DRICAPs attached to chamber.
DRICAPs attached to chamber.
Look inside new battery compartment. There was quite a bit of pitting in the aluminum, but it still came out ok. Shiny like new terminals in bottom :)
Look inside new battery compartment. There was quite a bit of pitting in the aluminum, but it still came out ok. Shiny like new terminals in bottom :)
Meter face without cover
Meter face without cover
Meter face with cover reinstalled. Touched up paint on all black hardware too.
Meter face with cover reinstalled. Touched up paint on all black hardware too.
Found a nifty shoulder strap in a closet not being used
Found a nifty shoulder strap in a closet not being used
Just another view
Just another view
Yet another view
Yet another view
Shiny latches
Shiny latches
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Andrew Robinson
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Last few images. I'll post the eBay link here soon too...

eBay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/141422893885?ru ... 26_rdc%3D1
eBay item: 141422893885

Last thoughts. I have not officially tested this other than battery test. Sorry, don't have any sources right now. Selling for a great price as is. Sounds like its good to go though. Battery test is solid, and meter clicks away initially as the chamber stabilizes. The characteristic change in pitch feature is noticeable too. Up to you though. Everyone here should be smart enough to work on these things if you discover a problem I haven't noticed. Cheers
More shiny latches
More shiny latches
Underside of battery cover
Underside of battery cover
Battery cover detached
Battery cover detached
One last shot showing battery test successful.
One last shot showing battery test successful.
Last edited by Andrew Robinson on Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Last thing... promise. Here is the manual (little newer, but still for the Model 9)
Model 9.pdf
Manual
(2.17 MiB) Downloaded 355 times
Also, here are the original scans of the parts, the new template images.
Silkscreen.zip
Silkscreen Exported Images
(967.97 KiB) Downloaded 349 times
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Richard Hull »

Wow! Will you ever get you money and time out of this effort? I figure 2 grand ought to cover it. See you in a few days.

Richard Hull
Progress may have been a good thing once, but it just went on too long. - Yogi Berra
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
The more complex the idea put forward by the poor amateur, the more likely it will never see embodiment
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Andrew Robinson
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Haha, hear that everyone? Got the RH stamp of approval :)

See ya soon! Cant wait to dive through some NIM modules.
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John Taylor
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by John Taylor »

If Ludlum had seen that silver paint years ago, they would've trashed that disgusting tan. And that would have been fine by me!

GREAT WORK and it looks like a fair price too. I have a similar model 9 that I sometimes use for rock collecting, but it will never look that nice. Thanks for posting all the eye candy!
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Thanks for the nice comments. yeah I have always liked the hammered look. Very rugged, industrial look. Pain in the butt to get right though.
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Bob Reite
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Bob Reite »

Really a shame that the meter was damaged when you got it. It would be a perfect specimen otherwise.
The more reactive the materials, the more spectacular the failures.
The testing isn't over until the prototype is destroyed.
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Re: Ludlum Model 9

Post by Andrew Robinson »

Off to bigger and better things. This little guy is off to an accelerator lab in Los Alamos. Fare thee well my dear little ion chamber. :)
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