Ludlum Model 9
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Ludlum Model 9
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...
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
All cast parts now cleaned up. New paint and touch ups tomorrow in preparation for heading out for silkscreen.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
Here are the silk screen templates I created to reproduce the front panel. They are to scale.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Richard Hull
- Moderator
- Posts: 14992
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2001 9:44 am
- Real name: Richard Hull
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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
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
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
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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.
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.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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:
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:
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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
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
Last edited by Andrew Robinson on Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
Last thing... promise. Here is the manual (little newer, but still for the Model 9)
Also, here are the original scans of the parts, the new template images.
Also, here are the original scans of the parts, the new template images.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Richard Hull
- Moderator
- Posts: 14992
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2001 9:44 am
- Real name: Richard Hull
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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
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
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
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
Haha, hear that everyone? Got the RH stamp of approval
See ya soon! Cant wait to dive through some NIM modules.
See ya soon! Cant wait to dive through some NIM modules.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- John Taylor
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:43 pm
- Real name:
- Location: Dardanelle, Arkansas
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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!
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!
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!
- Bob Reite
- Posts: 576
- Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:03 pm
- Real name: Bob Reite
- Location: Wilkes Barre/Scranton area
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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.
The testing isn't over until the prototype is destroyed.
- Andrew Robinson
- Moderator
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:54 am
- Real name: Andrew Robinson
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
- Contact:
Re: Ludlum Model 9
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.
I can wire anything directly into anything! I'm the professor!