Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2003 » 10/01/2003 to 10/31/2003 » Old tube testers from drug stores etc. Where are they? « Previous Next »

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Kattracker
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 2:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Remember in the 60's about every drug store had a tube testor for the general public to test their tv tubes for free?

I wonder where all those went since the days of modern tv's. Did they get thrown out as trash or sold to collectors etc.?

Kattracker
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Keithinatlanta
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 4:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Hey, now you are telling how old I am. My first job in Atlanta was working in a drug store behind the soda fountain. I remember the tube tester at the store because I would use it!! I told the story about it to some tech kids several years ago and they thought I was making it up. I told them, test the tube,if it was bad, open the proper drawer and match the tube with new tube and pay for it and go plug it into the radio or tv when you got home. Simple for sure!
Keith in Atlanta
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Bruce
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
ill bet on ebay thoes are selling for BIG BUCKS!
How they worked was to simply measure current from cathode to the control grid it either had emision or it didn't also checked for a short from the filiment to cathode and cathode to grid.... some even tested for " GAS " for the most part you could see gas in a tube ... a no brainer.
transconductance testers did a more through check but tubes were cheep and thoes testers were NOT
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Lowpowerhal
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 7:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Yes i remember them . My Dad sent me to check the tubes out of a old radio or the tv. just this summer i went to auction and had one up for sale a hickock i think, it was about 3' tall by 2' by 2' had a flip chart on top to find your tube that needed tested. A locking front door to hold the new tubes inside. It sold for $26.00. I should of bought it. But i didnt have room for it. Also that day they sold a box of brand new tubes mostly GE and RCA, Most of them was Sweep tubes like 8950-6146 and so forth there had to been at lease 200 tubes in the box i bidded up too $175.00 and i think it sold for $215.00 I kick myself every time for not buying the tubes OH WELL ,I bet that kinda of deal never come again. Hal
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Crafter
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 10:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
I bought one took it out of the cabinet and made a case for it sold mine for 150.00. But everyone in awhile I see those ole tv7 military ones for sale too.
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radiodude
Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 11:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
I have one and got it at a yard sale for 5$ I test alot of tubes for the local cbers. I wouldnt sell mine for any amount of money...well maybe!!!
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Scrapiron63
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 8:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Old tube checkers are getting valuable I guess. This old Sencore sold today for over 300 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3048392341&category=4674
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Garyjr
Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 11:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Wow that's Great to know I have been selling alot of old stuff Computer and some other stuff on ebay to just get rid of it all. I have one that came out of a Radio Shack, That i used to use when I had a shop in the early 80's Now I know I can sell it also. I was getting ready to check and see if anyone was selling tube testers or not to get a idea what they might be worth.
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Kirk
Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 9:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Ya know when you've crossed the age line when you mention "Drug stores and tube checkers"!! I remember going in and pushing the big button and watching that big old meter (what seemed to be HUGE) swing over.....loved it! Thanks for stirring up good old memories for me Kattracker--
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Bruce
Posted on Friday, October 10, 2003 - 8:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Kirk


Well then you should feel at home on this web site!

http://www.midnightscience.com/
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RCI 2990
Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2003 - 1:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)
Here were I live there is a electronics shop that has an old tube tester from the mid 1960s or so that looks like one of those old drug store testers.. Ive used it in the past and it has a HUUGE red meter that swings over.. Kinda reminds me of my Dosy on drugs!!!! LOL!!! Thats stuffs a bit before my time(early 1970s) but i remember my dad talking about them.