[Heathkit] 6293 tube question

[Glen Zook]

You really cannot tell a 6293 from a "regular" 6146 series tube just by looking.  Basically, the plate assembly in the 6293 is somewhat "heavier" (i.e. "thicker").  However, the mica insulator that covers the top of the elements is opaque and therefore it cannot be seen.  Also, I suspect that you would actually have to use a micrometer to measure the difference in thickness and "eyeballing" may, or may not, show the difference.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Fri, 10/24/08, Ken Kaplan <krkaplan at cox.net> wrote:

From: Ken Kaplan <krkaplan at cox.net>

I just got an RCA 6293 (lot 60-22) yesterday. I thought that they were visibly more robust than a 6146. I held it next to an RCA 6146 (lot 58-48) and compared what I could see of the internals and they look the same to me. The plate material is the same thickness as are all of the other visible internal pieces. Am I mistaken about visible internal differences or - drum roll - have I been scammed? The marking on the tube looks original (just like those $50's I have stacked in a shoe box - just kidding). Is there a way to visually verify its a 6293 and not a 6146? No, I'm not getting out my glass cutter. Heath content? It's for my SB-110A.