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Vintage Television and Video Vintage television and video equipment, programmes, VCRs etc. |
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2nd Nov 2007, 10:02 pm | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,535
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Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
Just a note to say I spent much of yesterday trying out various CRM121's and a CRM123 which had been re-gunned by Philippe in France - on a Baird Townsman.
I have to observe confidentiality as to who are holding these particular examples but I can vouch for their quality. This should give us a lot of hope for the future. Steve
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3rd Nov 2007, 12:58 am | #2 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 325
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
Steve,
Are these tubes made of Pyrex or soft glass? Darryl |
3rd Nov 2007, 12:00 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,535
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
AFAIK soft glass.
S
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3rd Nov 2007, 12:06 pm | #4 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North London, UK.
Posts: 6,168
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
AFAIK, the only common Pyrex CRTs in the UK were the pre-war EMI tubes such as the 6/6. I think Baird also made some Pyrex CRTs.
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3rd Nov 2007, 2:27 pm | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,535
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
You'll find his web site here
http://www.tube-cathodique.com It's in French, though if you have a serious inquiry for business you can email him in English. He is situated in the south of France, so it's not just a run over by ferry in the car. The price will depend on what the work includes and the cost of transport...we're talking the low hundreds of pounds. Steve
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3rd Nov 2007, 2:42 pm | #6 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North London, UK.
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
Looking at the pictures on his site it's a far bigger operation than Display Electronics of Uxbridge who were the last surviving UK rebuilder. The place looks a lot cleaner and nicer too. Display Electronics looked like a dump in a shed. This does them a disservice because they did excellent work. Look at my article A Vintage Tube Renovation on the publications page of my website. The photo in that article doesn't really show much of the premises but it's clearly not all bright and sparkling.
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3rd Nov 2007, 3:39 pm | #7 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North London, UK.
Posts: 6,168
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
I think we need a separate thread that pulls together all the CRT rebuild resources. There aren't many rebuilders! One in France, one in the USA...... any more? AFAIK nobody can do pyrex (hard glass) tubes at the moment.
I suspect these companies make their living from radar and military customers. Domestic receiver tubes can only be a sideline at best. The new CRT market is dying very fast now. Residual production of TVs and computer monitors, probably some 'scope tubes and other more specialised devices such as flying spot scanners. Colour reciver tubes in particular can only be economically made in huge numbers. I think the whole business will be all but dead within 10 years and that's being optimistic. Please don't turn this thread into a CRT/LCD/plasma discussion! |
4th Nov 2007, 10:04 pm | #8 | |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North London, UK.
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
Quote:
Last edited by ppppenguin; 4th Nov 2007 at 10:09 pm. |
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4th Nov 2007, 10:53 pm | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Western Lake District, Cumbria (CA20) - UK
Posts: 2,136
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
Jeffrey,
Thank you for posting that picture. I had many tubes rebuilt by Charlie. It was always a pleasure to go up to Uxbridge to collect from Display Electronics. My shops were closed on a Wednesday afternoon in the good old days of early closing. Worthing to Uxbridge made a pleasant trip out and there was always something of interest to see in the ramshackle collection of tin roofed sheds. I had about 300 sets out on rental so the re-built tube was a vital part of my business plan! Regards,
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Brian |
8th Nov 2007, 2:34 am | #10 |
Pentode
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Posts: 150
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Re: Re-gunned CRM121 tubes
As far as rebuilding the hard glass tubes, we almost got it done. Clinton electronics, another rebuilder in the U.S., succeeded in attaching a replacement tubing to the old shell, but was unable to find a stem for mounting the gun that had the same characteristics as the other glass. A custom stem would cost $5,000, which is not an insurmountable figure if there are enough prewar tubes that could be rebuilt. The experiments were done with a 12AP4, which has a neck diameter very similar to the 35mm necks of the British prewar tubes.
I am still pursuing this, and if there is enough interest from collectors, we may go ahead with the project. |