Thank you Jeff. I have a few 7971’s in a box from quite a few years back from 
the US Mint outfit. Might be needing that method.

IanV

> On 27 Aug 2021, at 22:15, Jeff Walton <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> 
> Tape the tube to a wooden dowel, like a closet rod, and pin one end on a 
> carpeted surface so that you can smack the entire length of the dowel (with 
> the taped 7971) against the carpeted floor.  This will transfer the shock to 
> the full height of the 7971 and separate the overlapping segment ends.  I 
> usually tape the tube tightly with masking tape so that the face of the 
> digits is perpendicular to the floor.  I've successfully fixed at least a 
> half dozen tubes this way and not broken any.  
> 
> I know that there have been other threads with photos.  And yes, you will 
> feel really apprehensive when you do it the first time.  I haven't had one 
> that didn't get cured... 
> 
> 
> Jeff 
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: 'Ian' via neonixie-l <[email protected]>
> Date: 8/27/21 2:48 PM (GMT-06:00)
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] Nixie Nirvana
> 
> I’m not heard of the wooden dowel method. Is that just hitting the tube?
> 
> In the dark
> IanV
> 
>>> On 26 Aug 2021, at 15:56, Robert G. Schaffrath 
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> 
>> $1 for a B-7971?!?! Incredible. The best price I ever saw was late 
>> 1970's/early 1980's when they were still common. As I mentioned in the past, 
>> I got six NOS B-7971's around that time from Meshna Electronics for $5/each 
>> IIRC. The used ones were $1 cheaper and I decided to splurge. The first 
>> eight tubes I got came in pairs on the old stock ticker boards. One tube was 
>> defective leaving me with seven good ones. I believe I paid something like 
>> $8/each for the boards. Some from Poly Paks and some from Meshna. It has 
>> been so long many of the details escape me. I still have that "defective" 
>> tube that I have been debating about selling. It had shorted segments and 
>> various attempts at fixing it over they years before learning about the 
>> "wooden dowel" method that worked resulted in some segments getting damaged. 
>> Tube still intact and several segments still light up so it is useful as a 
>> novelty but it will not display all possible segments that a good B-7971 
>> will. It is wrapped in bubble wrap sitting in an odds-and-ends box which is 
>> why I am thinking of parting with it. I am not using it.
>> 
>> Robert
>> 
>> 
>>> On Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 6:36:35 AM UTC-4 Bill Notfaded wrote:
>>> Jeffrey-
>>> 
>>> Where there any big Borroughs or NL tubes vertical or round?
>>> 
>>> Bill
>>>> On Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 1:46:02 PM UTC-7 Jeffry P wrote:
>>>> Hi Nick,
>>>> 
>>>> I've been lurking in this group since its creation.  Most of the 
>>>> discussion is a bit beyond me but interesting nonetheless.  Some members 
>>>> were asking where the pictures were- I was referring to the pictures 
>>>> listed on the Facebook group. I have not posted any pictures anywhere. I'm 
>>>> about halfway through sorting tubes into bins, so that all alike types are 
>>>> together. Burroughs has the lead as far as variety with National right 
>>>> behind.Valvo and Amperex are well represented. This coming weekend I 
>>>> should be able to finish sorting. I'll post some pictures when the sorting 
>>>> is finished. Thank you to all who have sent encouraging words. I was 
>>>> concerned that some folks would be out of joint because I went in and got 
>>>> everything. If you were planning on going to Huntsville for nixies this 
>>>> weekend I apologize. There were some meters left that someone might be 
>>>> interested in. I'm referring to the photos on the Facebook page (Harpers 
>>>> Home Estate Sales). The collection came from Michael Seaton. He had a few 
>>>> posts here and his name was in his email address.
>>>> 
>>>> Jeffry
>>>> 
>>>>> On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 10:30 PM Nicholas Stock <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Jeffry, welcome to the group!!!
>>>>> 
>>>>> As a long time Nixie fan, clock builder, collector etc, I applaud you for 
>>>>> keeping the treasure trove together. I noted a lot of highly sought after 
>>>>> goodies in the photos (including a rather excessive number of old Axiris 
>>>>> VU meters!). As a fellow nixie/neon nutcase and one of the moderators of 
>>>>> the group, let me know if there's anything I(we) can do to help you with 
>>>>> info, pricing etc....there are a lot of really knowledgeable and 
>>>>> thoughtful folks on this list and whilst a lot of us are probably agog at 
>>>>> the collection, deep-down we're happy that it is all in one place and 
>>>>> with someone who knows its value (not just monetarily).
>>>>> 
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Nick
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 6:16 PM Audrey <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>> You should give them to me :)
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 9:14 PM Jeffry Portell <[email protected]> 
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> Yes he and I are the same age. I need to think about where all this 
>>>>>>> should go in the event of my demise.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 3:27 PM Jeff Walton <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Nice to hear that someone from the group was able to make the trip.  
>>>>>>>> You are fortunate to have your hands on such a treasure trove of 
>>>>>>>> antiquities!  Looking forward to seeing photos of the collection.  
>>>>>>>> Eventually we all have collections that will change hands, some sooner 
>>>>>>>> than others... 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Jeff 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> -------- Original message --------
>>>>>>>> From: Jeffry P <[email protected]>
>>>>>>>> Date: 8/23/21 11:15 AM (GMT-06:00)
>>>>>>>> To: neonixie-l <[email protected]>
>>>>>>>> Subject: [neonixie-l] Nixie Nirvana
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Good morning to all!
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I joined the original Neonixie-l group on Yahoo many years ago when 
>>>>>>>> Raymond W. was moderator. I had the privilege of paying him $100+ for 
>>>>>>>> a ‘Four Letter Word’ kit that never arrived. Raymond was good at 
>>>>>>>> making excuses ( waiting for parts, illness, earthquakes, no reliable 
>>>>>>>> help, etc.) and always promised that no matter what I would get a kit. 
>>>>>>>> Meanwhile, the time had run out for a refund. The (4) B7971’s were 
>>>>>>>> gathering dust while waiting to broadcast their message as tame, 
>>>>>>>> colorful, or indecent per your preferences! I think there was 
>>>>>>>> something in there about nuns blushing as well. I still get a twinge 
>>>>>>>> while checking my postal mailbox and recalling the 2 years of looking 
>>>>>>>> for a package from ‘Indonesia’.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>  R.W took a lot of money from people and didn’t deliver. I believe 
>>>>>>>> many of his unfortunate customers were, and still are, responsible for 
>>>>>>>> the renewed interest in using nixie tubes. Kits were being designed by 
>>>>>>>> hobbyists and enterprising individuals found and marketed tubes  that 
>>>>>>>> could be used to build clocks. I had bought the (4)B7971’s for my FLW 
>>>>>>>> on eBay in anticipation of the kit arrival. 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I love clocks-flip clocks, nixies, and electronic types especially. 
>>>>>>>> Online auctions made access to these clocks easy and somewhat 
>>>>>>>> affordable. I ordered another kit from a seller on eBay named Pete 
>>>>>>>> Hand. I actually received the kit, built it, and I was now the proud 
>>>>>>>> owner of a Four -Letter- Word. I’ve owned quite a few four letter 
>>>>>>>> words in my lifetime but once they fall out of your mouth…..
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I bought and built another kit and was hooked on nixies. I watched 
>>>>>>>> prices rise for certain tubes and bought them and others as my budget 
>>>>>>>> would allow. The intention was to make clocks with them when I 
>>>>>>>> retired. I bought a few kits that featured newer display types and 
>>>>>>>> learned about SMD’s through trial and error.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> This past weekend I made a trip to Madison Alabama which is a suburb 
>>>>>>>> of Huntsville AL. NASA and it’s supporting industries (Northrup, 
>>>>>>>> Intergraph, Boeing, Dynetics, etc.) put Huntsville on the map as a hub 
>>>>>>>> for technical and engineering products and services. The area has 
>>>>>>>> computer scientists, mechanical and electronic engineers, Material 
>>>>>>>> Science PHD’s, and thousands of really smart people. 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Please bear with me as I feel there is a story to be told here. A 
>>>>>>>> computer scientist, whom I’ll call RS had a more than passing interest 
>>>>>>>> in Nixes. Unfortunately he passed away suddenly while in his prime 
>>>>>>>> years. I believe this person was personally known to members of the 
>>>>>>>> Nixie community.  I am in possession of RS’s extensive collection of 
>>>>>>>> Nixie tubes, built clocks, and collector's pieces. Technical 
>>>>>>>> documentation and assembly manuals were kept in file folders.  
>>>>>>>> Included is some correspondence related to RS’s support of the art of 
>>>>>>>> manufacturing Nixie tubes.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I arrived home yesterday after having flown to Huntsville, renting a 
>>>>>>>> truck, packing the collection, and driving 12 hours. Saturday and 
>>>>>>>> Sunday were one long day for me and I need to rest a bit and recover. 
>>>>>>>> If RS’s brother reads this I want to say it was great to meet you and 
>>>>>>>> thank you for giving (no it was purchased) myself and the world this 
>>>>>>>> fine collection to enjoy. I plan on keeping this collection complete.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Now for the good part………
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I believe RS was friends with engineers in the aerospace industry as a 
>>>>>>>> lot of the tubes are NOS in original boxes with identical date codes. 
>>>>>>>> These would have been backup replacements or engineering samples used 
>>>>>>>> by NASA . Most of these were American manufactured and include the 
>>>>>>>> full range of tubes from Burroughs, RCA, Amperex, National, AEG, etc. 
>>>>>>>> The items range from 6 to 20 pieces of each model.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> There_is_a_ mouth_full_of_hen’s_teeth_here! That last sentence is a 
>>>>>>>> matter of fact. I’ve seen the pages of Claus-Dieter, Cathode Corner, 
>>>>>>>> and Sphere and a few others. Are these pages of tubes they actually 
>>>>>>>> own or just reference info and sale availability? Does anyone have a 
>>>>>>>> complete list of every type of nixie tube that was manufactured?
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> RS’s collection contains some Russian and Chinese tubes but I think 
>>>>>>>> they were extras for the clocks he built.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Most of the shipping boxes for all the tubes he had were emptied in 
>>>>>>>> preparation for the sale. I took me 5 hours to pack up everything and 
>>>>>>>> RS’s brother and Estate agent were very gracious in the time they 
>>>>>>>> allowed me to pack everything. I didn’t have time to wrap each tube 
>>>>>>>> that didn’t have a box and I have a 3’x3’x4’ box of loose tubes. The 
>>>>>>>> egg cartons you see in the photos were literally stacked atop each 
>>>>>>>> other in a box and transported. So far I’ve found 1 broken tube and my 
>>>>>>>> heart sank -it was an E1T.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> This message has become way too long but I want everyone to know these 
>>>>>>>> tubes weren’t scattered to the wind or thrown out. 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> PLEASE BE PATIENT
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> I work and am in the midst of remodeling my home so my time is spread 
>>>>>>>> out thinly. I plan on inventorying the collection,  trading with other 
>>>>>>>> collectors to mutually enhance our collections, and putting together a 
>>>>>>>> website that features the collection. Any surplus that I have will be 
>>>>>>>> auctioned on eBay. I have no idea what those tubes will be but members 
>>>>>>>> here will be alerted. It may be 3-6 months before I can unpack 
>>>>>>>> everything. I’m not a tube dealer so getting things listed and sold is 
>>>>>>>> not my priority.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Please don’t message me asking to buy something you saw in the pics. 
>>>>>>>> Until I  know what all is there nothing is for sale. Don’t ask what I 
>>>>>>>> paid for the collection- If you do I will block you from messaging me. 
>>>>>>>> Don’t be rude money was not the issue here it was about keeping this 
>>>>>>>> collection intact.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> If you know RS personally I would love to hear what your interactions 
>>>>>>>> were. Many of the shipping boxes were from familiar names and were 
>>>>>>>> from all over the world. The number of tubes is overwhelming and I 
>>>>>>>> feel very fortunate to own them. There are tubes that I thought I 
>>>>>>>> would never in my lifetime be able to see or touch. I’m an old school 
>>>>>>>> guy and I don’t take pictures of many things. I may start to Instagram 
>>>>>>>> or something to share my finds but if I I get bombarded with offers to 
>>>>>>>> buy etc I’ll have to stop. I don’t keyboard very fast (cause I didn’t 
>>>>>>>> take typing in high school- I thought I’d have a secretary) so 
>>>>>>>> answering emails and messages takes me awhile. Took me 2 plus hours to 
>>>>>>>> get this out from the computer.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Have a good afternoon,
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Jeffry
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> ***
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> 
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