Several hundred tubes found! What to do!

[archangel2003]

Ok, we were cleaning out a basement of a house and was told to "toss it all out".

Well, the guy must have been a repair man.

There was boxes of old tubes and antique testing equipment.

Here is a picture of the tubes consolidated into one location.

I have no idea what is good or bad, but would think the ones in the individual boxes and wrapped in paper towel would still be good.

I was thinking of selling them on ebay but there is the lack of testing issue for the tubes.

Any suggestions on what to do with the tubes and testing equipment?

[SY]

These tubes may contain hazardous substances and should be treated as if they were radioactive. Get them out of there as quickly as you can! They should be disposed of immediately. Fortunately, I'm a professional and can assist you with this for a nominal fee.

[adason]

or you can send it to me free of charge

[archangel2003]

So, you are a professional and can assist me with this for a nominal fee?

Ya don't say!

Boy this must be my lucky day!

Do tell more!

[archangel2003]

And what about the signal generator and other test equipment?
Are they "nuclear" as well?

Wait, where are the smilies or rolly eyes on this board?

[SY]

Many years of training. You're lucky you found me first, most hazmat specialists would charge you much more than I. But you seem like a nice fellow, so I'm cutting you a break.

That adason guy will rip you off. Ignore him. I'm the real deal.

[Tom Bavis]

They may be ALL good, otherwise why were they kept? But only about 10% of tube numbers will have ANY demand, and most of THOSE aren't worth much. But depending on what this guy worked on, thee could be a higher percentage that are of some value. Look up the numbers at findatube.com - anything listed at $5 or more is of interest to SOMEONE... if many are more than $5, it may be worth getting them tested for best return. Nobody will buy a box of unknown tubes (unless it's REALLY cheap). A list of numbers would get the right people interested... whether it's audio tubes, guitar amp tubes, radio tubes, ham tubes (very little demand for TV tubes...). The old test equipment may be of interest to old radio collectors (like me...).

[simon7000]

Looks like a lot of them are TV receiver tubes, so not worth very much. The octal tubes (the ones with eight larger pins and a bakelite ring on the bottom) are probably worth the most. You can sell them as untested on eBay or buy a tube tester, test them and then resell the tester.

Send the rest to SY, but have him pay for the overnight shipping charges. (Of course send them ground.)

[archangel2003]

I'll see about getting a list of the tubes together over the weekend and some pictures of the testing equipment as well.

[SY]

The TV tubes are not collectors' items (maybe $1-2 each), but they are highly useful to hobbyists. You'll find no shortage of people willing to make a bulk purchase.