Where do purchase 6111 Tubes

[tranceracer]

Where are you folks picking up the 6111 tubes?  Tube Depot?

You folks have inspired me to build a Mini Valve Caster.   

Thanks!
Byron

[frequencycentral]

Ebay, this guy sent me four in April, i just ordered four more from him, fast shipping, good price, they all worked fine. Vintage 1983 if I recall.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-NOS-Raytheon-6111-submini-Vacuum-Tubes_W0QQitemZ130246780792QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130246780792&_trkparms=72%3A1121%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

Here's some more, never bought from this guy though:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6111-GE-NEW-IN-BOX-SAVE-L-K-TUBE-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ170249817457QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170249817457&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

.................but build a Pepper Shredder. I just completed one with two 6111 tubes. See Pictures thread page 333. If you need any tips PM me.

[Renegadrian]

Rick, regarding the 6111 in a Valvecaster...Would you have to change some components, or is it just the pencil tube and the 6.3v regulator?

[frequencycentral]

Rick, regarding the 6111 in a Valvecaster...Would you have to change some components, or is it just the pencil tube and the 6.3v regulator?

Hi Adriano. Well - the 6111 Valvecaster would be the Subcaster! When I made my Subcaster I had a problem getting it to work - the problem was the voltage regulator. I removed R1 and C2, then it worked fine.

I've done a lot of work on my breadboard with 6111 tubes, I always make a voltage regulator out of a LM317, 10uf decoupling cap (across the power rails), 220R resistor and 1K trimpot - just dial the trimpot until LM317 pin 2 reads 6.3 volts on your multimeter.

BUT

The easiest way to work with 6111 tubes is to use two of them.

That way you can run the two heaters in series on 12 volts. Like this:

         12 volts   >   6111 #1 pin 3

6111 #1 pin 6   >   6111 #2 pin 3

6111 #2 pin 6   >   earth/ground



There are two advantages to doing it this way.

1. No need to build a voltage regulator circuit (which takes up as much space as a second 6111 anyway)
2. Both the tubes together in series only consume 300ma. If you were to use just one 6111 and a LM317 you would be consuming more milliamps!

Thats why the 6111 is so perfectly suited to the Pepper Shredder, just change the pin numbers and power the two heaters in series. Also, others have said the Valvecaster is a little dark (and changed caps to solve this), the Pepper Shredder does not have the same 'darkness' - unless you want it!

http://www.tube-town.net/diy/lov/lov02-peppershredder.jpg

Other than that, the only other component difference between the Valvecaster and the Subcaster is the tone capacitor. The only change I made with the Valvecaster and the Subcaster was a 100K gain pot, that way you can put more resisantce between the cathode and earth - which cleans up the sound at lower gains. 

[Renegadrian]

Got it, my friend...useful words of wisdom from ya, as usual...

[frequencycentral]

Ebay, this guy sent me four in April, i just ordered four more from him, fast shipping, good price, they all worked fine. Vintage 1983 if I recall.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-NOS-Raytheon-6111-submini-Vacuum-Tubes_W0QQitemZ130246780792QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130246780792&_trkparms=72%3A1121%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

OK, that batch sold (to another forum member!). Keep and eye out on that ebay seller, he usually lists some more after one lot sells.

EDIT: He just  listed some more : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-NOS-Raytheon-6111-submini-Vacuum-Tubes_W0QQitemZ140258870138QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140258870138&_trkparms=72%3A984%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14