Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: tubesornothing on June 10, 2011, 03:31:17 pm

Title: Marking Tubes
Post by: tubesornothing on June 10, 2011, 03:31:17 pm

Hi all.  I go through a lot of tubes.  I would like some way to mark them so I know approx when I purchased them and who the supplier was.  This would help me greatly in determining if some suppliers, who pre-test their tubes, are worth the extra cost.  I already do this with pre-amp tubes, just using a labeller.  I cannot do this with power tubes though.  Any suggestions?  Any kind of a hi-temp marker that wont burn off?

Title: Re: Marking Tubes
Post by: jojokeo on June 10, 2011, 04:08:55 pm

I use masking tape or painter's tape on the phenolic base and write on that w/ a Sharpie. Works for me.

Title: Re: Marking Tubes
Post by: tubesornothing on June 10, 2011, 05:11:23 pm

Yeah,  I shoulda specified EL84s. Little beggers...

Title: Re: Marking Tubes
Post by: LooseChange on June 10, 2011, 10:17:03 pm

Sharpies work great for me.  I even have a silver one to mark the black bases if i need to.

Title: Re: Marking Tubes
Post by: bluesbear on June 11, 2011, 09:32:12 am

You can write on the glass with a Sharpie. The heat won't affect it and it won't hurt the tubes. I've matched tubes this way for years with no problems.
Dave

Title: Re: Marking Tubes
Post by: tubesornothing on June 11, 2011, 09:33:39 am

Sounds good I will give it a shot - thanks!

Title: Re: Marking Tubes
Post by: jeff on June 13, 2011, 08:06:59 am

 Watch out for using masking tape on tube bases. I did this and used the tubes, next time I looked at the tubes the heat baked on the masking tape.