running the distributor with a drill on a stand reduces making a distributor curve to a one-man-job you set the desired speed on the drill and record the angle on the degree wheel. the timing light is on all of the time I used the car's tachometer but a tach could easily be part of your test stand. It is necessary in any case.

components:
distributor
tachometer
vacuum guage
vacuum pump
timing light
degree wheel
drill
and a stand to hold it all