How valves are made .........

[Shaman]

It sure is sad to see these factories gone, communities spread to the winds, yes some will say they dont use valves anymore these days, they were things of the past. Yet the Russians and Chines still make them, i understand the new MIG fighter still uses valves, in its electronics, to stand atomic pulses perhaps, so they might not be a thing of the past afterall......Alan.

[glowinganode]

Don't forget there were other companies manufacturing valves in the U.K., GEC M-OV in Enfield N.London, Thorn Microwave Devices in Hayes W.London and STC (Brimar) in Rochester Kent.
I'm sure there were loads others too, though none matched the scale of Mullard.
Rob.

[tiv48]

valves made in china are not cheep, last year i got 2 golden drageon 300b s cost £210 including postage
rob t

[Jamie-Skinner]

I tend to get them on eBay and hope that there ok, normally they are..

[ppppenguin]

Suppy and demand.
Economies of scale.

Two major factors that will determine the price. The only reason that consumer electronic items (and much else) are available at low prices is that they are made in huge numbers which in turn justifies substantial investment in automation. In the case of semiconductors the numbers game is even more important. Despite the number of valve enthusiasts, the total production of KT66 etc can only be a fraction of what Mullard, MoV etc would have made in their prime years.

[big band heaven]

Can I come

ooo, and me. I even have a shopping list of things i'd like to get whilst I'm there

Richard

[beam me up schottky]

Yeah, but how would we carry all the stuff back ?? !! Would have to be in a truck !

[big band heaven]

A nice "vintage" truck or car which we would buy whilst we were there and bring that back as well. Ah, such a nice day dream......

Could be a whole new thread of when people would go back to and what they would have on their shopping list.......

[Shaman]

The old red EF50 valve, here is a good look into its importance in communications of one sort or another......Alan



http://www.r-type.org/static/ef50.htm

[OldTickTock]

And how one man does it today, last time I posted this on another forum I got shot down about how it had been seen many times before yada yada, Hopefully some here will appreciate the sheer ingenuity of this chap.

Part 1





Part 2