Oops, I meant to say that my whole (small) collection of nixies is worth
more than $1000.. not that 24 IN-14's are worth so much. *blush*. Are
any group members making a serious try at collecting nixies for
*investment* (speculation)?
-Adam
On 1/9/2012 1:56 PM, Adam Jacobs wrote:
The topic of this $1500 used nixie sale prompted me to have a look
back through my own (small) collection of nixie tubes.
I suppose it says a great deal that my primary concern is that in the
future I won't be able to afford nixies anymore and has nothing to do
with the (mounting) value of the tubes in my collection. Probably I'm
not alone.
I built my first Nixie clock in 2004, an anniversary present to my
wife. At that time, IN-14's were the cheapest "normal" sized nixie
tube available on ebay. I think I paid between $1-$2 each for them. My
wife has long made clear that I need to make sure that I have a supply
of nixies for the clock sufficient to last for her entire lifespan.
This is a tricky thing to guesstimate (both her life and the lifespan
of the nixies). The clock has been running 24/7 since spring of 2004
and only just recently finally had its first tube failure (an IN-14.
surprisingly the two IN-17's are still going strong). So, more than 7
years in a direct-drive configuration.
A couple of years ago, I noticed the skyrocketing prices for nixies in
general and IN-14's in particular. I bought 24. (24/4*7=42 years). I'd
not thought much more about them until last night when I realized that
my small collection of IN-14's is now worth more than $1000.
In my tenure with this hobby, I've noticed first the IN-8-2's
skyrocket in price [and dwindle in availability], then the IN-16's and
now the IN-14's ($8/each now). IN-8's still seem to be available, but
sockets are exceedingly rare. Strangely, the IN-18's price has
remained extremely stable at approximately $30-$35/each.. lending to
the suspicions about price fixing.
The only trends that I am noticing are that:
1) Anything with flying leads is popular
2) Tubes seem to dwindle in availability once kits are available for
that tube
3) Side-view nixies are much more popular than end-view nixies
So. Right now, the only 18mm character height (was once "normal
sized", now is considered "large" depending on the seller) nixie that
I would consider building a new clock with if I wanted to keep costs
down is the IN-12. I personally like these tubes. I wonder, is it
simply that there were far more IN-12's to begin with? Or is it
because people like the side-view tubes that much more?
Also leads me to wonder about VFD speculation. Right now, VFD's (even
large ones) are very cheap. Kits are only now becoming available for
the VFD's and they have a very cool "vacuum tube" look to them. I'm
assuming that the reason people like the side-view nixies more than
the end-view is because of the "vacuum tube look".
What do you think? Is it time to buy up a ton of large VFD's? I've
never speculated with nixies before (only accidentally) but I can't
help wondering. I also personally like VFD's. I like that they are a
triode and are much easier to work with than the nixies. I also like
it that you can build a linear amplifier with one. :D
-Adam W7QI
On 12/11/2011 11:31 PM, Nick wrote:
On Dec 11, 9:03 pm, Jeff Thomas<[email protected]> wrote:
On Dec 11, 12:43 pm, Nick<[email protected]> wrote:
BTW. They are truly astonishing in the flesh. Quite unlike any other
tube... kind of odd, as they have a standard socket, but a huge
base...
Nick
Nick, being one of the members here who acquired a herd of these long
ago, IMHO the cathode digit shape is 'butt-ugly".
Their appearance reminds me more of a neon sign than of a nixie.
I discussed this issue with John S a while back - I've never made a
clock with these as I feel that for a domestic situation, they are
just too huge - the atrium of an office, maybe - SWMBO wouldn't allow
them into the house although she says she likes them (she may well be
just humouring me!). Luckily, I didn't get quite as many as you, but a
good stash none-the-less...
The like or dislike of a nixie (or any object) is a purely subjective
matter - I quite like them, they are just SOOOOO big its a bit
daunting, hence not doing anything with them (at the moment). I sold a
few, but in pairs.
Nick
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