[Boatanchors] HP 8640B issues

[Ron Bussiere via Boatanchors]

Hi. I have a pretty nice collection of test equipment. On one bench, I have an 8640B sg and it is used with a 11710B down converter. I bought the 11710B as a NOS piece a few years ago and they made a nice pair.
As you may know, the 8640B, while an excellent sg electrically, has a bunch of plastic parts that do NOT age well.
The last time I tried to use the sg, I broke one of the plastic levers. Then, in the midst of a repair, the display//output no longer works. The display just flashes....
So, I know there are places that do repair on these, but just wondering about the following solutions:

1. build a robust crate and ship it off to be 'restored'
2. buy one of the many sgs on eBay either as a parts donor or replacement
3. purchase a used HP 8656B 
4. sell the 8640B as a parts unit and also sell the 11710B

Although I really like the 8640B, those fragile levers and gears really, really turn me off. BTW, I do have a set of replacement plastic gears, so I do have some $ invested it it.
I do have a bunch of other HP sgs, mostly the 608 series and my favorite, the 606A. These are great older, heavy duty sgs.......

What to do?????

ron

N4UE