Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats

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wdlvwdlv

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Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« on: 3 Nov 2020, 05:56 pm »
Hello,

Another question for the community, are there aftermarket cages or protectors to place over tubes? Are there any DIY solutions you've come up on your own? I love to hear your feedback.

Walt

JakeJ

Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #1 on: 4 Nov 2020, 02:40 am »
This is probably lame but...what about placing a metal mesh around the rack?  Sorry, first I'm assuming your gear is on a standard verticle rack so I was thinking maybe a fireplace screen?

I'm lucky as my kitty has no interest in my audio gear.  And I have Maggies and Acoustats!

Hope you find a solution.

RDavidson

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Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #2 on: 4 Nov 2020, 02:10 pm »
Maybe try one of those plastic pet / child playpens (to provide a screen around your gear, not as containment for your pets or kids). These are very common. The same product is marketed for both pets and kids. Just look for the cheapest option.
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/317386-north-states-xt-portable-pet-yard.html?blaintm_source=google&blaintm_medium=lia&setstore=35&gclid=CjwKCAiAv4n9BRA9EiwA30WND7TX8gpl9bQnFKBOX7EAD9dOVQeWb60Oxr2t4t7avdxpk2S0B69C5hoCVoUQAvD_BwE


wdlvwdlv

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Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #3 on: 4 Nov 2020, 04:47 pm »
Maybe try one of those plastic pet / child playpens

Oh my, that may be a bit more than what I was thinking. I was thinking of something more inline with an acrylic cover for a turntable to basically cover the whole unit (when not in use of course as it would not be ventilated) but this solution is more costly. I also saw individual tube "cages" but I believe those need to be screwed in (I could be wrong about that though).

This is probably lame but...what about placing a metal mesh around the rack?  Sorry, first I'm assuming your gear is on a standard verticle rack so I was thinking maybe a fireplace screen?

I like where you're going here, although how would I affix the mesh to be stable? I do have a rack but was thinking of placing the preamp at the top. Otherwise, the second option would be to place it on the second row then doing the mesh option would be simple. Thanks.

Turntable acrylic dustcover - $$$$
Individual Tube Cages - $

Any other more cost effective DIY solutions. I looking for something that might be really sleek and unobtrusive.

SET Man

Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #4 on: 4 Nov 2020, 07:24 pm »
Hey!




  I bought my SET amps back in late 1999 and back in the year 2000 my old cat Mr. Bubbles at that time he was about a little over a year old and was full of energy. He likes to run around the room like a tiny cheetah. Well, one day he was running and jumping around, I heard a thud! Not sure if it was something he knocked off the shelf or he ran in to one of my amp, but when I looked closely I saw one of my KR Audio 300BXLS tube bend to one side on the socket and the getter turned white! So, I knew that there's cracked somewhere. Back then a pair cost $675 a pair... ouch!

  So, yes I was mad at Mr.Bubbles but of course it is hard to stay mad at him for long after you look at him and when he came to snuggled with me. Anyway, so like you I was in search of a solution. I'm in NYC and back then there was a great plastic supply store down in Chinatown. So, I did some measurement and went down there and have them cut to size acrylic sheets and some glue to build the cover you see in my pic. Funny when I explained to the staff there, he said "I think you're missing one side" Actually, that is right, I left the back open for all the cables. The difficult part is getting bubble free clean look joints which I had hard time with, but so far they still hold.

   I take it off when I'm listening to music and those covers serve as my foot rest/laptop rest and the other as a side table. But I left enough room on top that if I pull them out in the front a bit over the concrete slaps for air to go in if I want to leave them cover while I'm using them. I don't remember how much they cost total exactly, but it wasn't much 20 years ago, probably around or under $80. I think the cost of acrylic have gone up a lot since.

   Anyway, hope this help and good luck. By the way, a pair of KR Audio 300BXLS or 842VHD tubes now cost $1200! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! But I do love my SET amps tough.

Buddy

wdlvwdlv

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Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #5 on: 4 Nov 2020, 08:59 pm »
Hey!




  I bought my SET amps back in late 1999 and back in the year 2000 my old cat Mr. Bubbles at that time he was about a little over a year old and was full of energy. He likes to run around the room like a tiny cheetah. Well, one day he was running and jumping around, I heard a thud! Not sure if it was something he knocked off the shelf or he ran in to one of my amp, but when I looked closely I saw one of my KR Audio 300BXLS tube bend to one side on the socket and the getter turned white! So, I knew that there's cracked somewhere. Back then a pair cost $675 a pair... ouch!

Buddy

Thanks for sharing, I think this may be the most elegant way to go. Nice to speak to a fellow New Yorker, unfortuanely I'm no longer in NYC but I love hearing that kind of story.

I saw someone else post about custom dustcovers so, I thought I'd share that too.

https://www.shoppopdisplays.com/CS001/5-sided-clear-acrylic-box-custom-size.html

Cheers!

krustykat

Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #6 on: 4 Nov 2020, 09:51 pm »
Not exactly sure if this is what you are looking for , but here's a couple thoughts for you to protect your tubes.  These would require a bit of DIY to secure to your case over the tube.

A pencil cup, there are many sizes available on Amazon that should fit over most small/medium tubes.
https://www.amazon.com/MaxGear-Pencil-Holder-Organizer-Holders/dp/B0756X76P5/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=pencil+cup&qid=1604526255&sr=8-6

Going the chinese route, you can mount these with a few holes in your cover.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20201104134628&SearchText=vacuum+tube+protector

mav52

Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #7 on: 4 Nov 2020, 11:59 pm »
Like most things kids and cats, they will only touch those HOT ! tubes once. 

JakeJ

Re: Protecting Tubes From Kids / Cats
« Reply #8 on: 5 Nov 2020, 02:20 am »
Not exactly sure if this is what you are looking for , but here's a couple thoughts for you to protect your tubes.  These would require a bit of DIY to secure to your case over the tube.

A pencil cup, there are many sizes available on Amazon that should fit over most small/medium tubes.
https://www.amazon.com/MaxGear-Pencil-Holder-Organizer-Holders/dp/B0756X76P5/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=pencil+cup&qid=1604526255&sr=8-6

Going the chinese route, you can mount these with a few holes in your cover.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20201104134628&SearchText=vacuum+tube+protector



As far as the pencil holders I would be concerned about the paint off-gassing toxic nasties and possibly igniting.  If one could sand blast them to bare metal it would be safer.

And Chinese tube cages are still going to let a tender little finger touch the hot tube.  Do you really want to chance having your kid get burned really bad and having to explain to the ER doc why you don't have adequate protection for something that dangerous?  That might get you the chance to dance the hokey-pokey in the pokey.

I like SET Man's solution.  And some day the kids will grow up and you won't need the covers then.