[Milsurplus] Estate questions

[Don Merz]

I've done all of this for different estates as
recently as last year. The answer is that it is a
total crapshoot. Box lots are offered on eBay
constantly and the results are mixed. My advice is to
start with the BEST of what you've got, create lots,
take more than a few good pictures of each lot and
describe the lot in as much detail as you are willing
to spend the time writing. 

At the end of your listing, you may want to consider
saying something like this: "This stuff came from a
RADAR engineer's estate and I will be listing more of
it shortly. So if you are interested in this kind of
thing, please save me in your list of favorite sellers
and keep checking back for new listings."

It will behoove you to go through the tubes. It's an
eye-strain pain in the behind, but 1000 tubes can be
easily sorted in an evening. Beer helps you get
through it, but doesn't necessarily help with correct
tube identification! What you are looking for is the
audio tubes. Audio guys are the big tube buyers. Hams
are finicky tube buyers and can't be counted on to
actually spend any money. But the audio guys will
definitely be there if you've got the goods. 

So make lots of 6L6's, 6V6's, 45's, 2A3's, 12AX7's,
6DJ8's, 6SN7's and so forth. You can post them as
UNTESTED USED PULLS and sometimes get surprising
results. Or you can set up a production line if you
have a good Hickok tube tester and test them in
batches, posting only the good ones. Be alert for any
high-value KT66, KT88, RCA Red 6SN7's (I forget the
number--is it 5692?--something like that) and any
Western Electric tubes so you can post those
individually. 

Be sure to put the keywords TUBE AUDIO in your listing
title. I usually say something like 

ANTIQUE VINTAGE RADIO TUBE 6L6 HAM AUDIO AMPLIFIER

or whatever will fit out of that. Don't put TUBES (the
plural) as one word in case they don't search on the
plural. TUBE is enough, even if you are listing many
of them.

Transmitting triodes will sell well to the audio
guys--801, 811, 211 (VT-4), etc. so be alert for that.
Transmitting pentodes 803 etc. get no respect from
audiophiles or hams so don't waste your time on those.

Random, unsorted tubes can be offered as a box lot and
you will get $10 to $20 for the box. Be sure to pack
any tubes carefully otherwise they won't make the trip
intact.

I've not been able to fnd any market for circuit
boards--either or eBay or at hamfests. But maybe I did
it wrong so I urge you to try your luck with the best
of what you've got.

Don't expect big dollars for any of this stuff, even
the tubes. But with patience, you can get rid of most
of it and make a few bucks.

Good luck.
73, Don merz, N3RHT

--- J Forster <jfor at quik.com> wrote:

> A dear friend of mine passed away last year and I'm
> starting to help his
> widow redistribute some of his electronic stuff and
> have a couple of
> questions. He was a MIT graduate radar engineer, so
> not your average
> hobbyist.
> 
> 
> First, he has a lot of boxes of 'residue' from
> taking apart military and
> high end commercial stuff. These boxes include lots
> of stainless
> hardware, connectors, switches, pots, and the like.
> I have neither the
> time nor resources to sort the stuff. Has anyone
> seen such box lots of
> electronic miscellany on eBay and does anyone have
> experience in selling
> such things. I'm thinking of offering a USPS
> Priority Flat Rate box full
> of parts as a lot.  Any opinions?
> 
> Second, there are 1000 or more tubes, mostly pulls,
> and I don't like the
> attitude of one very local dealer. The tubes are
> likely pulls, but some
> are NOS in boxes. Many are in cartons in little
> paper tubes (from toilet
> paper). There are mostly, 7 & 9 pin miniatures and
> octals, up to the
> size of 6V6s or 6080s.  Any ideas?
> 
> Third, there are hundreds of circuit boards from
> various things. I've
> only glanced at them but I didn't see standard stuff
> like well known
> computers or test gear. Any idea what to do with
> them, beyond a scrap
> dealer for the copper and gold?
> 
> The tubes and circuit boards need to be
> redistributed first, so the
> instruments and other things can even be gotten to.
> BTW, the stuff is in
> southern New Hampshire, USA.
> 
> Thanks,
> -John
> 
>
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