[Boatanchors] Has anyone ever cut the glass top off a miniaturetube to re-use the base?

[Radio AI2Q]

When making FET replacements for 7-pin and 9-pin miniature tubes, I use a 
Dremel tool with a cutoff wheel and run it at the highest speed. The wheel 
actually melts the glass as it "cuts."  You can see the red glow of the 
molten glass when doing this. After the tube is cut open I insert my own 
label (!) and then glue the tube back together before placing it in the 
circuit. I have done this with 28V circuits in an R-392 receiver.

Vy 73, AI2Q, Alex
Member: ARRL, FOC, RSGB, CWops, QRP-L, Antique Wireless Association, New 
England Radio Discussion Society, DXCC Honor Roll, 16ØM DXCC, 8ØM DXCC
http://ai2q.org



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Groh" <bob.groh at gmail.com>
To: "McDonald, J Douglas" <jdmcdona at illinois.edu>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2016 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Has anyone ever cut the glass top off a 
miniaturetube to re-use the base?


> Thanks, Doug.  I have found the pins (both tin and gold plated from
> Keystone) at Mouser.  In lots of 100, tin are about 11 cents each - not
> bad. Gold about 2 to 3x (I didn't capture price).  Not sure about length -
> need to check that.
>
> At this point, most acceptable option (i.e. inexpensive with reasonable
> quality) seems to be short pieces of 18 AWG copper wire inserted in 7 pin
> sockets.  The Keystone pins are a nice option - again inserted backwards
> into 7 pin socket and soldered (again I need to check length).
>
> Your idea of drilling holes et al in pill bottle, pc bd, whatever - 
> problem
> with precision although with a bit of work one could come up with a drill
> template. Also still leaves idea of having little custom pc board done -
> still got to look at that (maybe $2 for pc board plus $1 for pins - not
> bad).
>
> So still more to go.  Great batch of ideas from everyone.
>
> 73
> Bob, WA2CKY
>
> On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 10:07 AM, McDonald, J Douglas 
> <jdmcdona at illinois.edu
>> wrote:
>
>> You can buy gold plated pins that plug into those sockets.
>>
>> Solder wires to them, drill holes in a small cut-off plastic bottle,
>> insert pins, and fill with epoxy or
>> sensor-safe silicone.
>>
>> Just a thought.  I still have a very few plugs left over from the 70s,
>> which I am slowly using up.
>>
>> Doug McDonald
>>
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