Is there a much cheaper place to find these exact things?

[Esppse]

Is there an alternate seller overseas that sells this same item? I couldn't find them anywhere else or know exactly what they are called.

http://www.analogmetric.com/goods.php?id=1228

[vigilante397]

I've only ever bought them on eBay from chinese sellers, and while volume will get you a discount I usually see them for about $10 a piece.

Quick google search turned this up though: http://www.mableaudio.com/en/productview.asp?sid=5943
Not sure what they charge for shipping, but that's got to be the cheapest I've seen them. They seem to have different sizes for other tubes (EL84, EL34, KT88) as well, which I've never seen before. Looks like it is a Chinese company though, so shipping will likely take a while.

[electrosonic]

https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&IndexArea=product_en&CatId=&SearchText=12ax7+guard&viewtype=

https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=12ax7+guard&_sacat=0

search "12ax7 tube guard" on ebay or alibaba,  lots of hits.

Andrew.

[vigilante397]

search "12ax7 tube guard" on ebay or alibaba,  lots of hits.

Ah, there you go. I was sure I was using the wrong word but couldn't think of "guard." Tried tube shield and tube cage and didn't get anywhere. Thanks

[MJ_Sound_Cubed]

Yes, alibaba seems to be the best place for the lowest price. If you want you can also try with a couple u bolts.

[Esppse]

Thanks very much everyone, so they are called Tube Guards. Definitely cool for the valvecaster project!

[thermionix]

How hard is it to pull the tube out of one of those?

[Rob Strand]

Is there an alternate seller overseas that sells this same item? I couldn't find them anywhere else or know exactly what they are called.

You could try to make your own.  Cut some aluminium plate with two hole saw diameters then combined with some tube or stand-offs.

[bluebunny]

You could try to make your own.  Cut some aluminium plate with two hole saw diameters then combined with some tube or stand-offs.

I was thinking exactly this before I'd scrolled down this far.  You might even find some huge washers for the ring parts.*

---

* Sometimes thinking outside the box and putting some crazy searches into eBay can come up trumps.  For example, I wanted a "removable" work surface for working in the kitchen (my only DIY venue) that would contain all the detritus from soldering.  I got a large enamelled (?) tray that goes inside a pet cage.  Job done!

[vigilante397]

How hard is it to pull the tube out of one of those?

I mean it's doable, it's not convenient. Kinda depends on how big your fingers are. I can get my fingers between the bottom and middle sections and wiggle it enough to get it loose then pull it out the top. Or you can (make sure all caps are discharged first and) use a screwdriver to pry it out

[thermionix]

make sure all caps are discharged first

You Californians take all the fun out of everything. 

[vigilante397]

You Californians take all the fun out of everything. 

Pretty much our state motto at this point