Valve lettering- what was it? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Pete_kaye · 11th Sep 2013, 2:49 pm

How were valves labelled originally and can it be reproduced. Just to rewrite the number would be good.

11th Sep 2013, 4:00 pm

How about a 'silver' felt pen, at least the 'silver' bit wont evaporate being metal. Or a chinagraph pencil, the colour of the white one is alumina (or titania) both are very heat resistant.

G4XWDJim · 11th Sep 2013, 4:38 pm

I've often thought whether a "John Bull" printing outfit and white emulsion paint would produce authentic looking replacement numbers.

Jim

threeseven · 11th Sep 2013, 5:55 pm

I've often wondered what was used as I've noticed that lettering can sometimes just wipe off when cleaning valves with baby wipes in a long unused set.

HG MICKE · 12th Sep 2013, 8:49 am

I used Adana letterpress ink on a small printing press that printed a mirror image onto a rubber block,the valve was then rolled across the block leaving a positive image on the glass.
We used to buy unprinted valves in bulk and print our own logo and part numbers on them.
Nowadays as I only repair equipment, and the printing press is a bit of a faf to use and clean afterwards, I use a Dormy printing kit with either letterpress ink or a tube of poster paint to print my own date codes on valves that I supply.A very small amount of poster paint or ink goes a long way.

Colin

kalee20 · 12th Sep 2013, 12:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G4XWDJim

I've often thought whether a "John Bull" printing outfit and white emulsion paint would produce authentic looking replacement numbers.

Slighly uneven, some of the letters faint... Yes, bang on!

AC/HL · 12th Sep 2013, 1:29 pm

Some Manufacturers etch the lettering, as did Mullard/Philips with their manufacturing codes. Pity they all didn't.

Boom · 12th Sep 2013, 1:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

Some Manufacturers etch the lettering, as did Mullard/Philips with their manufacturing codes. Pity they all didn't.

I have some old Mullard valves which have been etched with their numbers and the Mullard logo. I tried to photograph it but the etch is so faint it is difficult to obtain a decent picture.

winston_1 · 12th Sep 2013, 2:21 pm

On octal type valves just scratch the number on the base with a scriber.

vidjoman · 12th Sep 2013, 5:39 pm

I would have thought that emulsion will just burn gradually. How about high temperature paint meant for car engines? You can get white and it will stand up to the hot glass.

11th Sep 2013, 2:49 pm	#1
Pete_kaye Octode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,227	Valve lettering- what was it? How were valves labelled originally and can it be reproduced. Just to rewrite the number would be good.

11th Sep 2013, 4:00 pm	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? How about a 'silver' felt pen, at least the 'silver' bit wont evaporate being metal. Or a chinagraph pencil, the colour of the white one is alumina (or titania) both are very heat resistant.

11th Sep 2013, 4:38 pm	#3
G4XWDJim Octode Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Littlehampton, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 1,465	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? I've often thought whether a "John Bull" printing outfit and white emulsion paint would produce authentic looking replacement numbers. Jim

11th Sep 2013, 5:55 pm	#4
threeseven Octode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,880	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? I've often wondered what was used as I've noticed that lettering can sometimes just wipe off when cleaning valves with baby wipes in a long unused set. __________________ BVWS member

12th Sep 2013, 8:49 am	#5
HG MICKE Pentode Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 165	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? I used Adana letterpress ink on a small printing press that printed a mirror image onto a rubber block,the valve was then rolled across the block leaving a positive image on the glass. We used to buy unprinted valves in bulk and print our own logo and part numbers on them. Nowadays as I only repair equipment, and the printing press is a bit of a faf to use and clean afterwards, I use a Dormy printing kit with either letterpress ink or a tube of poster paint to print my own date codes on valves that I supply.A very small amount of poster paint or ink goes a long way. Colin

12th Sep 2013, 1:29 pm	#7
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? Some Manufacturers etch the lettering, as did Mullard/Philips with their manufacturing codes. Pity they all didn't.

12th Sep 2013, 2:21 pm	#9
winston_1 Hexode Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London, UK. Posts: 498	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? On octal type valves just scratch the number on the base with a scriber.

12th Sep 2013, 5:39 pm	#10
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Valve lettering- what was it? I would have thought that emulsion will just burn gradually. How about high temperature paint meant for car engines? You can get white and it will stand up to the hot glass.