MTFCA Forum

When shopping for a mechanical timer at a swap meet, how can you tell if it’s a quality timer that’s functional?

Jason

with the low cost and high quality of new timers today, I'd think it was false economy to shop for a used timer

there is a reason a used timer is for sale: it's used, and was replaced for something better

Scott's answer is good advice. Perhaps a reply could be directed to how might one choose a NOS timer ? Owner testimonials could be helpful. Over the years some have had good things to say about the Tiger Timer, and then there's the New Day - a used original could be refurbished to give good service, while some reproductions of that make are to be avoided at all cost !

Dont count on finding a USED timer thats a good, functional unit.
Realize a good timer must run square with no brush bounce.

If you have the capability to refurbish them, thats another matter.
The short answer is to look for timers with minimal wear or at least not worn past a reusable re-machinable surface.

At one point, repop new day timers were garbage & the only option was to refurbish an old, worn unit.
I have been restoring these in batches for years. Hint: a sanding disk doesnt quite do it. The contact surface & mounting edge must both be addressed to keep the brush from a constant surface contact bounce.
Now there is a great reproduction unit available. No need to tool up to restore an old unit for the typical owner.

Same with the anderson type timer.

Roller timers are/were not usable out of the box. High spots & not perfectly smooth roller surfaces.(not current on whats available today.)
Again you look for used units that have some life left after restoration. Some timers (tiger?) have folded over sheet metal contacts. They dont take a re-machine.
Sheet metal bodied repop rollers usually wear severely. The old cast bodies have the potential to refurbish. Many are usable with just a little roller dressing.

Ohhhh for want of Tony Wiltshire and his magnificent TW timer! RIP Tony.