Labeling Miniature Tubes

[Structo]

9 pin miniature preamp tubes.

I use the AES generic tube boxes.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/S-B247

I write on the boxes the specs and test results.

But when you are rolling through tubes for an amp, I sometimes get them mixed up, and don't know which box they went with.

Anybody have a way to label the tubes themselves?
I've tried using masking tape or other labels but since the tubes heat up, those tend to fail.

So what is the method you guys use that can stand the heat?

[sluckey]

I've never done this but it may be a solution... White heat shrink tubing.

[davent]

Haven't tried this with tubes but to label and keep track of a bunch of Russian top hat GE transistors i measured, i used a single hole paper punch to pop out mini labels from a sheet of Avery label paper. They are small enough that they would fit within the base circle of pins and i wouldn't think heat would be an issue down there under the tube.

[IMG:800:600]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc30 ... 83c737.jpg[/img]
[IMG:600:800]http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc30 ... 54a42e.jpg[/img]
dave

[xtian]

I might try a silver Sharpie oil based pen. The pigment should stand up to plenty of heat. And the tip is small enough for fine writing.

[Richie]

I might try a silver Sharpie oil based pen. The pigment should stand up to plenty of heat. And the tip is small enough for fine writing.

Yep, what he said, its easy to write on the base of the tube,and easy,if wanted to remove the writing.

[Jered]

I use a fine tip paint pen. Works great. Auto parts stores have them as I'm sure lots of places carry them.

[Kagliostro]

I use a permanent fine point marking pen

those you use also to write on CD and DVD

if I want to cancel I use alcohol

(pay attention to the original writes on the tube)

K

[Stevem]

I write on them with a fine point black marker, but you must first wipe the tube down with rubbing Alky where you need to write, after that the marker will not burn off even on output tubes!

[Structo]

Thanks guys!

[vibratoking]

What Steve said.

I too have ended up with many empty boxes and confusion. Damnit, start all over again.

[Structo]

I don't have a working tester right now so I am kind of relying on the test
results posted by the vendor.

These are all vintage 12a*7 derivatives tested pretty close to NOS but no fancy box.
Been a fan of GE tubes and since there were so many made, not super rare yet.

But I like to keep track of what's what, to check the differences between them through my meter and my ears.

I'll try the marker method.

[Structo]

This is what I came up with.

I printed out the specs of each tube on paper, then taped it to the box.

I used my Brother label maker (awesome tool) and printed numbers which are then cut out and stuck on the tube.
We'll see how they hold up under heat.
I can always use a sharpie to write the number if the label fails.

These are stacked on a shelf so that the end of the box is visible.

It's time consuming but I got a lot of that.

[Leo_Gnardo]

I used my Brother label maker (awesome tool) and printed numbers which are then cut out and stuck on the tube.
We'll see how they hold up under heat.

Brother labels sure look neat but it runs into $$$ for the tapes.

For a long time now I've been using Avery labels intended for file folders, on tubes, tube storage boxes, inside amps etc. Before settling on the file labels, I noticed the stickum on labels would dry out, loosen up over time, and sometimes the boxes they're sold in were marked "temporary label." So.... what's PERMANENT? Only the file labels, the stickum seems to work over the course of years. And you can train your computer to print them either with blanks for you to fill in with pencil or super fine Sharpie, or with data printed if you want to go that far. I use 'em inside amps to record relevant data so the next time I go in, can compare power, bias current, bias voltage, hi voltage, what output tubes & what date I took the measurements.

To keep the stickum from excess heat I cut a strip of file sticker & apply it either over or under the glass next to tube plates on miniatures, or on the tube base for octals. If you need to remove the goop, a shot of solvent spray cleaner & Q-tip or paper towel gets it all off.

[davidjon_99]

Set dial to 11