Entry level tube tester - Is there such a thing?

[txtune]

I have a dozen tubes that came with an old radio and power amp, which I am in the process of restoring... trying to anyways. 

Anyhow, many of these tubes are pricey to replace. Any suggestions on a tube tester that won't break the bank and is not too hard to operate? Does that exist? Something that will tell me if they are good/bad/ugly?

The tubes I have are 7199, 7408, 6AU6A, ECC85/6AQ8, EZ81/6CA4, 6BE6, 6EQ7.

Thanks 

[shooter]

Depends on were you're headed, If you like this sport and want to continue to the point you're tweaking amps, building a kit or rolling your own.  then maybe it's worth the money.  I donated my tester to a "90's teen" guitarist 
I built a breadboard to replace it so i could test tubes under "my conditions", I could put together a circuit and see "what it did" and hopefully understand "why it did that".


they are usually good for go/no-go IF they work. 

[sluckey]

Save your money. Buy a basic electronics book if you want to learn this stuff.

[Latole]

Save your money. Buy a basic electronics book if you want to learn this stuff.

I agree.

Operate a tube tester is one thing, knowing what tubes readings mean is another thing.

Good tubes tester I know cost fews hundred $ in second hand markets

[brewdude]

Fender champ(?)

[txtune]

Shooter, you hit the nail on the head regarding the type of tester  ... "go/no-go"   

As of this posting, all I know is the 2ea 7199s, 4ea 7408s, and 1ea EZ81/6CA4 all 'light up'. For grins I looked around online for replacements, just to see what was out there. Those three flavors were all available, but the 7408s were very expensive.

The tube testers looked like a hobby within a hobby. I figured it was best to ask the experts. With that being said, if one of you is about to throw one out... by all means let me know. 
 

[shooter]

https://frank.pocnet.net/


Go here ^
figure out what your tubes are
triode, diode, pentode, hurrah.....


now go here V
http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/
figure out what they do AND how they do it...cha-cha 


the last time I was "billed labor" was GE '89, they billed my straight time @ $350/hr
start earn'n your way, I'm tired of getting fish every day, I want to fly my camera 

[txtune]

Yikes! That's $735 in today's money. GE must have been sending that bill to Uncle Sam.

[jjasilli]

http://tone-lizard.com/tube-testers/
http://tone-lizard.com/testers-exposed/

[shooter]

the anal audiophile will most certainly be upset to learn this fact. Don’t tell him!

 
good read

[DummyLoad]

dos4ever. 

https://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html

build that? requires that you build your own test socket(s) wiring and switching plan.

--pete