building a dim bulb tester, I have a variac, do I need to wire in a switch?

[Jimbilly]

I suppose I should make one 'correctly' with a switch, but since I own a good old variac, would it make sense to roll up from zero voltage rather than flip the switch to 'full'? 

 This need has come up because I've realized that the old Harman/Kardon 430 I've had sitting on my bench forever is now worth getting up and running. I'll most likely end up taking it to a local recommended tech anyway, but the dim-bulb test seems to be a good place to start for any old piece that comes home untested. 

[Dave Scepter]

Dim bulb with a switched outlet strip 👌

[hamerhead]

If there is a God, you'll test Kizanski first.

[Jimbilly]

1 hour ago, Dave Scepter said:

Dim bulb with a switched outlet strip 👌

ah, is that for the added benefit of the built in circuit breaker most outlet strips have?

[Dave Scepter]

46 minutes ago, Jimbilly said:

ah, is that for the added benefit of the built in circuit breaker most outlet strips have?

That and you don't have to touch the chassis/face on-off switch incase something goes wrong