Variac or not?

[peverett]

I use a variac to bring up re-capped items for the first time. This, as mentioned above, helps isolate inadvertant shorts, etc.

Luckily, the variacs that I have are coupled with an isolation transformer and have both current and voltage meters. This makes it safer to bring up hot chassis sets and makes it easier to spot trouble.

These particular variac systems are identical Heathkits. I built one myself years ago and purchased the other already assembled.