Tubes are shy creatures that prefer an enclosed life.

[Pushtone]

I yesterday my "roll bar" equipped Shaka Tube took a tumble to the concrete floor.

At first I thought the roll bar had done it's job. I was happy the tube didn't shatter.
But this morning I noticed a white-ish discoloration in the tube.
Upon close inspection I can see the tiniest of cracks right at the point.

The vacuum has been compromised! The roll bar failed to protect the tube.
My attempt to protect the tube by dropping the socket down with stand-offs didn't work.


Rick - UK ( Frequency Central) you are so right to hide those shy little babies away! 




Tubes are shy creatures that prefer to live an enclosed life.







However the powder-coat finish wasn't even scratched!

Dave S.

(just because you saw someone else do it doesn't mean it's a good idea)

[frequencycentral]

Damn! That's sad. My commiserations to you. Still, it's easily replaced.

I must admit that my first Valvecaster had the tube sticking out and no rollbar. With the six tube pedals I've built since I've employed my 'shy tube' strategy.

Though I have recently been thinking of doing a turbo charged 6111 Subcaster in a 1590A enclosure with tiny rollbars. Hmmmm............

Maybe you should start wearing a helmet while out on your Harley Pan Head with Suicide shifter - and hiding your tubes.

You tube pedals do look ace though.

[drk]

kinda off-topic, but is it ok to use tubes inside a box? shouldnt we have to do some openings for air flow, because of heat?

[frequencycentral]

kinda off-topic, but is it ok to use tubes inside a box? shouldnt we have to do some openings for air flow, because of heat?

[Pushtone]

Maybe you should start wearing a helmet while out on your Harley Pan Head with Suicide shifter - and hiding your tubes.

NEVER!








That mini tube 1590A would be sweet.

[sshrugg]

I've always wondered when this thread would pop up.  I think you've all been aware of the risks.  The rollbar was just a provision you took to try and detract from the hazards of leaving a tube outside.

Why do we do it?

Because it looks ace!

I've actually always been worried more about errant stomps than dropping the pedal.  My consolations for the tube's departure.

I'll keep this in mind when I make my Valvecaster, Valve Tremelo, and my Pepper Shredder (waiting for $$ for all these builds)

[DougH]

I've never been keen on external tube mounting for a pedal. As kewl as it might look, eventually it will fall and break or get stepped on. It's just a matter of time. One 12ax7 will easily fit in a 1590bb- you might even be able to wedge two in there.

[frequencycentral]

I've never been keen on external tube mounting for a pedal. As kewl as it might look, eventually it will fall and break or get stepped on. It's just a matter of time. One 12ax7 will easily fit in a 1590bb- you might even be able to wedge two in there.

[Pushtone]

Good time to mention Paul Marossy's original Shaka Tube web page.

http://www.diyguitarist.com/DIYStompboxes/ST1590BB.htm


The most well documented way to mount a tube inside a pedal. Pure genius.
He even gives you the plans to fabricate the bracket.
This method would work for many a tube pedal.

[Johan]

...is that an IKEA drawer handle I spot as rollbar?...
j

[The Tone God]

Now you know why we did not use roll bars on the TubeUlent. There were all kinds of issues with the bars. To make bars effective you have to adhere to some careful guide lines to maximize the protection give by the bars. Some people have attempted to criticize our use of plastic for tube protection but we did test the plates on the TubeUlent for impact, drop, sheer, static, and other loads.

Maybe you should start wearing a helmet while out on your Harley Pan Head with Suicide shifter - and hiding your tubes.

You mean a suicide clutch and hand/jockey shifter ? Sorry, pet peeve.

Andrew

[runmikeyrun]

wow TG that thing looks awesome!!!!!!!!   

[Jimmy-H]

And if you put the tube in the box, it's always nice to make them visible.
Here are some examples how it can be done.
And to show them of, just put a led underneath them!

[The Tone God]

wow TG that thing looks awesome!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

Andrew

[asfastasdark]

An idea I just thought of to actually maybe make this safer and possible is to mount the tube half-way sticking out, on its side.


And then put two roll bars positioned next to it.

And I know that's a very bad drawing, don't worry,  .

[DougH]

kinda off-topic, but is it ok to use tubes inside a box? shouldnt we have to do some openings for air flow, because of heat?

I'm not convinced that the heat from a tube heater is a big issue. Now, if you have silicon (transistors, etc) inside the box too, maybe it is. But if the circuit is just R's and C's, I'm not sure ventilation and etc is really necessary. My pentode driver never gets hot on the inside- never. And it has 2 tubes. Now I did put a couple ventilation holes in the sides, but I'm not convinced they are that effective. The tubes themselves only get slightly lukewarm to the touch. None of the surrounding components ever feel warm when I check it. And this has an op amp and some other Si in it too. The caveat is that this just applies to voltage amplification. With power amplification it's a different story.

[frequencycentral]

I'm not convinced that the heat from a tube heater is a big issue.

I hve to agree re 12AU7. 6111 are another matter - they get very hot.

[DougH]

I don't know why there would be a difference. They both pull 300ma of heater current at 6.3v.

[Jered]

I don't know why there would be a difference. They both pull 300ma of heater current at 6.3v.

  You wouldn't think they would, but the sub mini's get to hot to touch.

[frequencycentral]

I don't know why there would be a difference. They both pull 300ma of heater current at 6.3v.

  You wouldn't think they would, but the sub mini's get to hot to touch.

......though my 5672's don't even get a little hot - or glow. 

It's the voltage regulator or voltage drop resistor that gets hot with them.