Anyone that is interested:

        I recently was faced with the decision of paying $2700US for a
rebuilt Balzers (now Pfeiffer Vacuum Tech) turbo pump or trying to fix the
broken one here.  I chose to rebuild it myself and, although I had to buy
some "special" tools,  I still saved enough money to pay for a trip to
Europe!  The task was not too difficult even with a drawing that was
outdated and somewhat erroneous.

        The pump is still running four weeks later producing a better vacuum
than it did before it broke.  I would be happy to give details to anybody by
e-mail or phone.

Cheers,




Richard Socki
Sr. Scientist
NASA-LESC, Johnson Space Center
Mail Code C-23
2400 NASA Rd.
Houston, TX  USA 77058
281-483-9932 office
281-483-5317 lab