Wilbur, a ragdoll cat with learning difficulties will at some point, without doubt, attempt to lick the exposed valves. Playing this forward, that could be the end of wilbur. The wife would probably upsticks too. All of that is bad.
All jokes aside about the retarded cat..
Anyone know of either a diy solution that looks pretty (i dont want a mesh box over them), or a source of valve protectors.
One very annoying rule - I hate the look of the stacked rings you can get on fleabay / aliexpress.
On commercial offerings, i see glass tubes, they look nice, but i cant find any for sale.
ideas welcome.
All jokes aside about the retarded cat..
Anyone know of either a diy solution that looks pretty (i dont want a mesh box over them), or a source of valve protectors.
One very annoying rule - I hate the look of the stacked rings you can get on fleabay / aliexpress.
On commercial offerings, i see glass tubes, they look nice, but i cant find any for sale.
ideas welcome.
Glass tubes also help cooling the tubes (chimney effect).I remember a German factory making such pieces from a silicon/boron(?) glass,don't know if they're still on business
Metal shielded can sockets? Depends on the type/size of the valves.
An alternative is use a high temperature plastic/epoxy block and have holes cut/ polished that fit over the valves, leave a gap big enough for sufficient air. They're still going to get hot, radiated heat will heat up the area of the plastic. You could also help that cooling by leaving a gap between the base and the cover.
Another idea is use of a wood tubes slats cut for ventilation.
The worse case is that the cat fins a warm spot to sit/lie on. So the more uncomfortable the better (or make a cat warming pad to divert attention).
spikes...?
Bird Spikes for Pigeons Small Birds Cats 4.6M (15 feet), Anti Climb Security Wall Fence Stainless Steel Birds Defence Spikes Bird Arrow Repeller Deterrent Spikes-Cover, 33cm per set (set of 14): Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors
For cats even...
Pestrol Bird Spikes - Which bird spike Is best for me? - YouTube
These look decidedly useful and stylish...
Cactus Fence and Wall Spikes - YouTube
Bird Spikes for Pigeons Small Birds Cats 4.6M (15 feet), Anti Climb Security Wall Fence Stainless Steel Birds Defence Spikes Bird Arrow Repeller Deterrent Spikes-Cover, 33cm per set (set of 14): Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors
For cats even...
Pestrol Bird Spikes - Which bird spike Is best for me? - YouTube
These look decidedly useful and stylish...
Cactus Fence and Wall Spikes - YouTube
Electrified spikes with crocodiles all around! 🙂
What about a cover in polycarbonate?
You remove it when you play it. Then the tubes will be too hot and the cat will stay away.
It will protect the amp from dust too.
What about a cover in polycarbonate?
You remove it when you play it. Then the tubes will be too hot and the cat will stay away.
It will protect the amp from dust too.
Ultrasonic cat repeller? If not practical, I would use a cage made of bent metal rods 2" apart over the exposed tubes.
bad swedes!
I think i have found something. 2 drawer handles, aluminimum.
Shame nobody knows of any glass solutions, they look great on the commercial amps.
I think i have found something. 2 drawer handles, aluminimum.
Shame nobody knows of any glass solutions, they look great on the commercial amps.
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Mesh covers to allow for airflow. Old Dynaco and Radford amplifers used to have them, probably many others too.
Hammond sell some 1441 chassis with optional 1451 perforated covers.
Hammond sell some 1441 chassis with optional 1451 perforated covers.
Cats can hear into the ultrasonic range better than dogs, IIRC, up to 40 kHz. You just need to induce HF oscillation, and Bob's your uncle.
6e6p valves, i will remove the grid stoppers and anode stoppers and those things will sing all on their own. Sod the listening quality 🙂
Glass guitar slides? Should fit smaller preamp tubes.
Or maybe you can make something of clear plastic sheets.
Lexan (polycarbonate) is reasonably heat resistant (115°C/240°F).
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Just ask your local glass blower, if he still exists. Universities and other research labs used to cater for for glass blowers to fix their chemistry glass ware, maybe this helps you find one.
I was serious on the second part of the post. You can have them with or without holes, depending on the fact that you want to keep them while the amp is playing, or remove it.
You can also decide to just buy polycarbonate pipes around the tubes. Different lenghts and diameters can make them seem like an organ, or add some leds on the bottom and make them shine.
By leaving some clearance on the bottom you can even promote aeration like a chimney.
You could also teach the cat not to go near the amp, even when it's off. Some friends of mine have three Maine Coon cats (gorgeous critters!) that love to go on the kitchen counters. To dissuade them from doing so, my friends set up these motion-sensing hissing gizmos called SSSCAT. They work quite well. It's essentially a can of compressed air with a motion sensor. When the motion sensor triggers, the can hisses and the cat jumps away.
At about $35 they're not exactly cheap and supposedly the replacement cans aren't cheap either. But YouTube comes to the rescue with a trick for how to refill them with a bicycle pump.
Just a thought. The cans might not fit your decor but I'd be surprised if a few weeks of training with the occasional refresher course wouldn't do the trick.
Tom
At about $35 they're not exactly cheap and supposedly the replacement cans aren't cheap either. But YouTube comes to the rescue with a trick for how to refill them with a bicycle pump.
Just a thought. The cans might not fit your decor but I'd be surprised if a few weeks of training with the occasional refresher course wouldn't do the trick.
Tom
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You can order glass tubes from various companies that cater to laboratories.
Sight glass tubes - DUMICO B.V.
Glasbuis, Borosilicaat, Schott Rohrglas - Laboratory Glass Specialists B.V.
I have the same issue (cat + 3 year old) so thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Sight glass tubes - DUMICO B.V.
Glasbuis, Borosilicaat, Schott Rohrglas - Laboratory Glass Specialists B.V.
I have the same issue (cat + 3 year old) so thanks for the inspiration 🙂