Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: proaudioguy on July 08, 2012, 12:11:59 am

Title: 6C10 style plug
Post by: proaudioguy on July 08, 2012, 12:11:59 am
I am looking for the base of a 6C10, preferably made out of ceramic or plastic some other material NOT glass.  I would like to make an adapter from the 6C10 socket in my Super Champ to a pair of 12AX7s.  I have everything except for the "6C10 plug".  These tubes are become much more rare and they are extremely expensive.  I would like to have more options.  Also the ability to use 12--7 tubes allows some experimentation.    I also think the adapter will add value to the amp, whether I keep it or sell or or my kids sell it after I'm gone.  I plan to use aluminum channel to mount the plug and the sockets, and stand offs to mount the 2 channels to each other.  I do have a 6K11 I could cut, but then I would be using glass, which puts the adapter at risk of breaking.
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: HotBluePlates on July 08, 2012, 12:30:20 am
I can't say I've ever seen something like a compactron plug.

Will an octal base fit in the space for that socket? If so, I'd probably try to drill out the existing pins on an octal plug, figure out a way to shoe-horn two 9-pin sockets above it, and drill new holes for the compactron pin spacing. You'll need some solid-core wire of a gauge sufficient to mimic the original compactron pins (hopefully that's not too susceptible to bending).

The solid core wire can even be the wire that actually connects to the 9-pin lugs, fed through the new holes in the octal socket and trimmed to length.

It's clumsy, but unless you want to replace the compactron socket with two 9-pin sockets (or a 9-pin and 7-pin for a single triode), then that's probably the only option.
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: kagliostro on July 08, 2012, 01:05:08 am
Or you can use a compactron socket upside down and solder to it (in the new bottom side) small brass nails

so in the upper side you can solder your new sockets and obtain your adapter

a piece of alluminium rectangular tube can be used as to mount the 3 sockets

on the bottom side one hole for the 6c10 socket, on the top side two holes for the 12a*7 sockets


K

I've just read something about this conversion and someone say to use 1 12a*7 and one 6av6 as to avoid to have one unused tube - if your purpose is about experimentation I'll prefer to have two 9 pin sockets so more chances to test different tubes
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: HotBluePlates on July 08, 2012, 01:10:01 am
Even better!
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: proaudioguy on July 08, 2012, 01:35:33 am
Or you can use a compactron socket upside down and solder to it (in the new bottom side) small brass nails

so in the upper side you can solder your new sockets and obtain your adapter

a piece of alluminium rectangular tube can be used as to mount the 3 sockets

on the bottom side one hole for the 6c10 socket, on the top side two holes for the 12a*7 sockets


K

I've just read something about this conversion and someone say to use 1 12a*7 and one 6av6 as to avoid to have one unused tube - if your purpose is about experimentation I'll prefer to have two 9 pin sockets so more chances to test different tubes

BINGO and brilliant!  I just received a replacement compactron socket.  I will install it and take the old one out.  It has lose  and worn sockets.  I can use the casing for the sockets to hold the new pins which I could probably make out of thumbtacks or small nails (if I can get nickel plated nails).  Thanks so much for the great idea!  I'll take pictures with it's done.  Not sure I'll be able to get it done before I go to work Tuesday but I'll do it when I get back.  I think I'll pull the amp out in the morning and install the new socket.
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: kagliostro on July 08, 2012, 01:47:49 am
I would like to have a photo (of the area where is mounted the 6c10 socket) taken from the upper side at the zenit


if is possible of course

Thanks

K

p.s.:I would like to figure to me the measures of the space is disposable for the adapter
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: PRR on July 10, 2012, 12:11:48 am
Antique trivia: The pins on a metal TO-3 transistor are the same as the pins on a miniature (or compactron) tube.

Problem today is finding TO-3 transistors. You don't care if they work; OTOH you can't use "fits TO-3 pinout TO-220" or other flat/stamped pin device.

I'm picturing bashing the pins out of six TO-3s, drilling a plastic disk, epoxying the pins in. This may be far too much trouble.
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: DummyLoad on July 10, 2012, 02:15:28 am


http://www.vacuumtubesinc.com/Products/SocketsAdaptersParts/AdaptersandParts.aspx (http://www.vacuumtubesinc.com/Products/SocketsAdaptersParts/AdaptersandParts.aspx)

scroll down to 12pin compactron socket saver.

add a PCB plate with your 9pin sockets. you can use pins removed from a mill-max IC socket for the PCB. 

--DL
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: stingray_65 on July 13, 2012, 12:26:16 am
check your pm's
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: PRR on July 13, 2012, 08:55:18 pm
> contact The Black Hole: Atomic Surplus Store

Whoa!!

(http://www.blackholesurplus.com/media/black-hole-image.jpg)

http://www.blackholesurplus.com/ (http://www.blackholesurplus.com/)
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: thermion on July 20, 2012, 03:07:07 pm
+1 on the WHOA!

right outside of Los Alamos too...who knows what you'll find.
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: proaudioguy on July 20, 2012, 08:48:44 pm
Stingray took care of me. I now have a plug. Now looking for an appropriate size clamp like the ones had to mount cap cans.
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: Willabe on July 20, 2012, 11:27:57 pm
Stingray took care of me.

Rays a good guy, not the first time Rays helped somebody out here and I'm sure where he lives and I'm sure it wont be the last.

(Also, I'd bet our friend would have preferred that I wouldn't have wrote this, but that's who our friend is.    :wink:    )


                       Brad      :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: kagliostro on August 25, 2012, 10:02:17 am
Quote
Or you can use a compactron socket upside down and solder to it (in the new bottom side) small brass nails

As Tubenit told some time ago, you think you have an idea and than discover someone had it before you  :laugh:

K
Title: Re: 6C10 style plug
Post by: proaudioguy on August 27, 2012, 05:58:23 pm
Quote
Or you can use a compactron socket upside down and solder to it (in the new bottom side) small brass nails

As Tubenit told some time ago, you think you have an idea and than discover someone had it before you  :laugh:

K


Doesn't change a thing.  You still have an idea.
I chose to go a different way in the end.  I still haven't had a chance to implement it.