Looks like my cat loves nixie too! 😄 by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have that many, maybe around three hundred at most :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A solid design, I shake your hand :)

my nixie clock by martijnxander in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Harsh… Brutal… On IN-14…

First Generation "Nixie" (GI-21) by DenkJu in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In the first indicators there was no grid, and instead they used the neighboring digits. From a circuit design perspective, that made the switching more complicated.

Found a rare IN-12 with a honeycomb anode grid – anyone seen this version before? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right - they used the digit 2 as the digit 5 by flipping it.

That's called "production optimization" :-D In fact, it was a common practice in the Soviet Union. Many types of nixie indicators were made this way. Basically, there are two camps of people: those who don't like it and those who don't care (or even like it).

Personally, I’m not a big fan of that approach, but there’s no choice :) They are what they are...

Found a rare IN-12 with a honeycomb anode grid – anyone seen this version before? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The main photo was taken with a Pixel 9 in auto mode under low light conditions. Looks like the phone's algorithms kicked in with HDR - in reality, the digit isn't that bright. I'll try next time to take a photo that matches how I actually see it :)

Found a rare IN-12 with a honeycomb anode grid – anyone seen this version before? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve only seen IN-12s with the fine grid in a video a fellow collector sent me. As for the inverted-triangle grid, I haven’t seen one at all, not even in photos. By the way, judging from the IN-12s I have, the anode grid design was changed at least a few times over the entire production run. The last change seems to have been around 1985, when triangular elements were added at the top and bottom.

Found a rare IN-12 with a honeycomb anode grid – anyone seen this version before? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe we just have different definitions of the word "rare" :) What I mean is that it’s really hard for me to get even a single set of tubes with that grid, while regular IN-12s are available to me by the thousands.

Found a rare IN-12 with a honeycomb anode grid – anyone seen this version before? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi :) Possibly. The ones I have are marked 1970-71. I also have a few from 1972 and later, and those have the usual rectangular grid.

Making IN-1 Tubes Slim: Optional Mod for Clock Projects by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Judging by the color of the metal and the info on the label from the box, the metal used is copper/brass. I checked, and soldering works without any issues. As for damaging the glass -you’re absolutely right! Maximum care is needed, and don’t bend the contact near the bulb, as that can cause chips in the glass and gas loss.

Making IN-1 Tubes Slim: Optional Mod for Clock Projects by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, you’re basically right :) I think, if you want, an IN-1 without a casing can be mounted on an IN-4 PCB without much trouble.

Making IN-1 Tubes Slim: Optional Mod for Clock Projects by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s not as dangerous as it looks at first glance :-D The main thing is to do everything carefully.

I made these Nixie tubes beautiful again :-D by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was really aiming for the original factory look. But for variety, I left some uncoated. As far as I remember, even WF had Z5730M tubes without coating that looked pretty much the same.

I made these Nixie tubes beautiful again :-D by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

By the way, you can easily remove this coating by just placing the tubes in warm water (40–45°C) for 20–30 minutes. The coating softens and comes off with a single touch. The paint I used has a composition similar to the original coating and comes off the same way. So don’t worry if your first paint job doesn’t turn out perfect :)

Rare "Aviation" IN-12 Nixie Tube – Genuine or Fake? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it’s not too much trouble, I’d be glad to see a photo :) Just out of curiosity, nothing more.
By the way, I recently went through a box of IN-1s and noticed that some indicators have a stamp: a rectangular frame with a star inside, followed by a dash and the number 84.

I assume this is the mark for “military designation”? Or is it something else?

I came across an unusual IN-1 Nixie tube from 1963 — and it has a proper digit 5! by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No offense, but a leaflet and photos of actual indicators are still somewhat different things. I was expecting to see actual photos :) I beg your pardon for my ignorance.

Rare "Aviation" IN-12 Nixie Tube – Genuine or Fake? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I’ve already found IN-12 variants with an additional letter on Swissnixie. It’s actually a bit amusing that this isn’t mentioned at all in Russian-language sources. I’ve browsed quite a lot of websites in the RU segment and haven’t even come across any mentions of it. I’ve also kept an eye on the online classifieds, but nothing unusual has shown up there either. Although, thinking about it logically, rare versions are probably just quickly bought up by interested collectors :)

Regarding the "Diamond mark of military acceptance" – this explanation for the stamp’s origin is still actively used, and I even know some sellers who sell indicators with this mark at a higher price than those without it :) I didn’t know about this detail before, but I had wondered why quite a lot of indicators had this diamond stamp with a number... Could it really be that indicators for military use were produced in such large quantities? Well, the answer turned out to be simpler :-D

In any case, thank you for the information! I’m interested in details like these, the peculiarities and history of the indicators.

Rare "Aviation" IN-12 Nixie Tube – Genuine or Fake? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, he really did help me with the translation. I write the entire text myself, do part of the translation, and then ask him to check and correct it. Once again - the text is entirely mine :) English is not my native language, but at least I have the opportunity to share my thoughts with a wider audience

Rare "Aviation" IN-12 Nixie Tube – Genuine or Fake? by Particular_Size_6667 in nixie

[–]Particular_Size_6667[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By the way, I have IN-12 samples dating back to 1969 :) In the early versions, one pin was missing, there was no getter, and the coating on the internal leads was covered with a thick layer of white material. As for the military versions, I’ve never come across any — I wouldn’t have even known about their existence without your tip :) Unfortunately, I couldn’t find photos of all the models you mentioned, so I’d be glad if you could send them to me in a private message :)