To ensure nothing gets missed, I use a checklist of tasks to be done when rebuilding machines. This is the the list for my 8/M rebuild:

Completed

1. Perform a general appraisal of machine
2. Photograph machine in detail
3. Remove console and cards
4. Remove power supply
5. Remove wiring looms and any other remaining items attached to chassis
6. Remove backplane
7. Clean and sand chassis
8. Spray chassis to primer
9. Rub down primer
10. Respray chassis (to matt black)
11. Clean backplane
12. Clean wiring loom and other chassis furniture
13. Take detailed pictures of power supply
14. Dismantle PSU
15. Clean power supply components
16. Remove and reform capacitors
17. Reassemble power supply
18. Bench test power supply and confirm operation
19. Reinstall power supply (but do not reconnect AC or DC at this point)
20. Reinstall backplane
21. Reinstall chassis furniture
22. Power on and confirm fans are operational
23. Reconnect AC to power supply and confirm operation of PSU
24. Reconnect DC from power supply to backplane and confirm voltages on backplane
25. Install minimal card set (console and CPU) and test console operation

To Do

1. Add further earth straps – they appeared to be non existent when I got the machine and I’m far from convinced the chassis is earthed at the moment
2. Tidy up DC wiring loom
3. Configure and fit core memory
4. Debug console to establish why address bit 5 isn’t working
5. Confirm correct operation of the console
6. Enter basic test programs and confirm operation
7. Solve problem of some console keys catching on console plexi
8. Repair 3 console keys that having broken pivot shafts
9. Fit console and confirm operation
10. Fit RX8E and confirm its working