Need help finding a decently cheap Nixie clock - assembled or DIY Kit

EndersShadow

So I have been obsessed lately with tubes, and Lasereath a year or so back posted a Nixie clock or two and I honestly have been looking for a decently cheap DIY kit to make one.

I have had no luck doing it and was hoping someone here might have some idea as to where to find a decently priced kit in the US.

I would prefer to have at least hours and minutes and if possible seconds (but normally the more tubes the more cost).

I would prefer it to be one where the tubes are vertically with nothing on the other side of them like the first picture, however if it has to be like the second picture that is ok.

It doesn't need to have an enclosure, I will get one built for it.

Suggestions?

EndersShadow

Before everyone freaks out, I would probably have someone build the kit for me lol....


I have no skills like that

Systems

mhardy?
Mark would be the one I would talk too first, about building a kit.

codyc1ark

pepster wrote: »

mhardy?
Mark would be the one I would talk too first, about building a kit.

I'm sure you can afford his work, but Dan can't even afford a Toyota. :cheesygrin:

Those toob clocks look really cool, and you have some really cool options if you went full DIY..

Systems

codyc1ark wrote: »

I'm sure you can afford his work, but Dan can't even afford a Toyota. :cheesygrin:

Those toob clocks look really cool, and you have some really cool options if you went full DIY..

I love em, I think they are cool as he$$!

Would love to have a few myself.

If I owned a Camel I would sell it and buy a few, just sayin:cheesygrin:!

EndersShadow

pepster wrote: »

mhardy?
Mark would be the one I would talk too first, about building a kit.

LOL, I got some ideas who to ask to build the kit, dont worry about that ..

codyc1ark wrote: »

I'm sure you can afford his work, but Dan can't even afford a Toyota. :cheesygrin:

Those toob clocks look really cool, and you have some really cool options if you went full DIY..

Yeah, I may have to, but wanted to see what was out there stock.....

I am thinking this might be my gift to myself when the baby comes .....

EndersShadow

anonymouse wrote: »

Did not know these things existed. Very cool.

Yeah, kinda want one for my desk at work, and another for home to go with my new tube amp :biggrin:.....

I am starting to get tube fever....

codyc1ark

EndersShadow wrote: »

I am thinking this might be my gift to myself when the baby comes .....

Maybe we can pass the hat here at CP.. :cheesygrin:

EndersShadow

For those out there, I found a couple places, but they ones I want are more pricey

http://store.tubeclock.com/index.php/nixie-tube-clocks/clocks

Systems

You need a "Cats Eye" tube tuner to go with it Dan.
Like in my Sherwood tube tuner.
You use it to tune in to a station and it gets smaller the finer it is tuned.

Syndil

If you haven't looked yet, tons of them on eBay. Tubes, components, kits, complete clocks, etc.

Jstas

http://www.allspectrum.com/store/nixie-tube-clocks-and-kits-c-21.html?osCsid=e301c63bd3eb492b168c7223cd66375a

You can just type "nixie tube clock kit" in to Google and when the search results pop up, click on the "Shopping" link at the top and you will get a few pages of links.

This is what I get: https://www.google.com/search?q=nixie+tube+clock+kit&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=jw_zUMywC8HD0QH_vIGgAw&ved=0CAwQ_AUoAA&biw=1366&bih=586

Thing is though, nobody is making new Nixie tubes. They are old and most NOS stock is out of Russia and former Soviet Eastern Bloc countries. So supply is very limited and consequently, prices are high.

If you want a kit, at least $160 if it includes tubes. If you want it assembled, at least $300.

Also, if you do get one and you want to preserve it's use, don't leave it on. The tube filaments do burn out over time and if you have a digit that is either a 1 or a 0 all the time, you'll end up with a tube that has 2-9 working just fine and nothing for 1 or 0. You can cycle your tubes if you like too but eventually, they will burn out.

As a clock they aren't the best idea due to the supply. If you can find one that uses tubes in good supply, then get one and buy extra tubes too. 3 or 4 sets maybe? These clocks aren't cheap though. They are more of a novelty too. I have one and I keep it in a box for now because I have one with a certain tube that isn't made anymore and I have not found an adequate replacement yet.

EndersShadow

Jstas wrote: »

http://www.allspectrum.com/store/nixie-tube-clocks-and-kits-c-21.html?osCsid=e301c63bd3eb492b168c7223cd66375a

You can just type "nixie tube clock kit" in to Google and when the search results pop up, click on the "Shopping" link at the top and you will get a few pages of links.

This is what I get: https://www.google.com/search?q=nixie+tube+clock+kit&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ei=jw_zUMywC8HD0QH_vIGgAw&ved=0CAwQ_AUoAA&biw=1366&bih=586

Thing is though, nobody is making new Nixie tubes. They are old and most NOS stock is out of Russia and former Soviet Eastern Bloc countries. So supply is very limited and consequently, prices are high.

If you want a kit, at least $160 if it includes tubes. If you want it assembled, at least $300.

Also, if you do get one and you want to preserve it's use, don't leave it on. The tube filaments do burn out over time and if you have a digit that is either a 1 or a 0 all the time, you'll end up with a tube that has 2-9 working just fine and nothing for 1 or 0. You can cycle your tubes if you like too but eventually, they will burn out.

As a clock they aren't the best idea due to the supply. If you can find one that uses tubes in good supply, then get one and buy extra tubes too. 3 or 4 sets maybe? These clocks aren't cheap though. They are more of a novelty too. I have one and I keep it in a box for now because I have one with a certain tube that isn't made anymore and I have not found an adequate replacement yet.

Thats good to know and kinda makes me a bit hesitant to buy one now :sad:.... Lets see if my better judgement wins or not....

Jstas

Oh, no, buy one for sure! They are cool to have!

That's the only reason I bought mine!


That and SUPER nerd cred when you assemble it yourself!


My original plan was to have the clock set in the middle of a row of tubes for a tube base HT in my old apartment. But the ex had other designs on how to allocate funding so those plans got trashed.

I was going to have between 5 and 7 mono block 8W amps built from kits powering KLH 17's with a Polk Audio C4 car sub behind the couch and powered by a NAD amplifier. I thought it'd look cool with a row of tubes, 3 pairs on each side and a tube clock in the middle when a movie was playing.

I still may actually do that when I get the basement finished and most of what is in the living room will move down there.

EndersShadow

Jstas wrote: »

My original plan was to have the clock set in the middle of a row of tubes for a tube base HT in my old apartment. But the ex had other designs on how to allocate funding so those plans got trashed.

I bet thats the reason she's the EX :razz::biggrin:

Jstas wrote: »

Oh, no, buy one for sure! They are cool to have!

That's the only reason I bought mine!

LOL, well I still might buy one for work just for the heck of it lol...

Jstas wrote: »

That and SUPER nerd cred when you assemble it yourself!

Don't tell anyone but I plan to have it put together for me :eek:, already have a couple of volunteers to do it. Its just a bit expensive for whats basically a nerd tube toy.....

BUT I WANT ONE BAD!!!!!!!

Jstas

When I got mine, the kit, not assembled, just the kit cost me $300.

mhardy6647

I ahem do have one, courtesy of a local vacuum tube guru.
I'd be happy to build one for anyone if they source the parts AND (it probably goes without saying) aren't in a big hurry to get it ;-)

EndersShadow

Well if I go that route I might take you up on that ....

EndersShadow

Sorry to bump a dead thread, but I found a decently priced kit IMHO from a trusted vendor.....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f352/?itm=goobase_filler&rkgid=275668648&cpg=ogpla&source=google_pla&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CKPFs9XXirkCFepFMgodsXsApw#tabs

tonyb

I thought you wanted the clock, that link is for the thermometer.

See....my reading comprehension skills are improving.:cheesygrin:

EndersShadow

tonyb wrote: »

I thought you wanted the clock, that link is for the thermometer.

See....my reading comprehension skills are improving.:cheesygrin:

And mine are worsening :biggrin:...

I noticed that after the fact.

It seems I can find tons on ebay assembled for like 250-300 but honestly I want to buy a kit so its cheaper and have one of the master solderers here tackle the job to save a little bit of cash....

Oh well, will still have to keep looking. One of these days I will have one of these...

SDA1C

I like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sven-reloaded-USB-powered-Nixie-Clock-complete-kit-with-IN-8-2-NOS-tubes-/271214907563?pt=US_Digital_Clocks_Clock_Radios&hash=item3f25ab10ab

madmax

Here is a local guy to me here in Colorado, I interviewed him for an engineering position, great guy!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/8807675/nixie-tube-clock