[SHVentus]

Should you never touch the glass with your fingers? I know this is true for halogen light bulbs/projector bulbs, as the oils from our skin, left on the glass, leads to premature failure. Is it the same with tubes? Thanks.

 

[adhoc]

as tubes usually operate at lower temperatures, i wouldnt worry about it.

even then, i usually handle tubes by their bases alone - what bothers me is the ridiculous ease with which my fingers remove the printed markings on the glass. :sigh:

 

[EdipisReks]

i wouldn't worry about it.

 

[tom hankins]

I handle them by there bases. I woulded get to worried about touching the glass some...it happens.

 

[EdipisReks]

i have no ability to not touch the tubes by their base, since 6CG7's don't have bases. i do sometimes handle them with a piece of cloth when i don't feel like waiting a couple minutes for the tubes to cool down.

 

[Len]

Many tubes (all 9 pins, for example) don't have bases. Touching the glass is not dangerous, even for high temp tubes like 5687. But if your tube has a base, it's best to handle it by the base in order to not stress the base glue.

 

[SHVentus]

Thanks for everyone's responses.

Len,

They're the 6SN7's that showed up in my mail yesterday.