I goofed up and did not remove the neg. battery cable when replacing a defective signal light bulb holder, and one of the three little posts broke off. I soldered it, and clumsily touched two of the posts together. That blew a fuse. Now that the battery has drained, I think it has done more damage than that. So now I think I will have to replace the alternator brushes. Or perhaps the voltage regulator. Or the entire alternator...
I have years of experience unbolting and replacing metal parts. I hate electrical work because I do not know my stuff. I do not know how to use a volt meter even. (I have rebuilt carbs and replaced all manner components but have always avoided this type of electrical work because I have friends who understand it better. However I must do this myself, because I am through being embarassed by not knowing this simple stuff, and those electrical whizzes are out of town). So, tomorrow I get into it.

Question: What is the best way to determine if my problem lies in the brushes, the voltage regulator, or if the alternator itself is completely shot?
What sort of readings should I see when I test things with the voltage tester (that I will go buy tomorrow)?