A great opportunity for someone !

[Dr-Joned]

Aspen's old stuff...

Original Info http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/00-new-today.htm

[brentm]

Whoa. Talk about a career change!

Pictures were posted as well...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/Images/audio ... actory.pdf

[SoundPerf]

Man, that would be something to own and start manufacturing super duper 6L6's again.

But am I wrong in thinking that the only way to repair or get replacement items for this machinery would be to machine/make them from scratch? That would be a real issue. I guess....

[rdjones]

I thought all this had been moved to China.
If not, then is it even operable ?

More importantly, has this equipment been used to make tubes at any time since the move from GE ? (1985?)

RedDog Steve

[Cantplay]

Looks like GT was the previous owner.

Since they'ye not out of business, I'd guess any tooling of value has been cherry picked for their current production.

Anything left probably wasn't worth moving.

I run a machine shop, and I've been to many shop auctions.

I guaruntee you this is scraps and dross.

John

[ToneMerc]

But am I wrong in thinking that the only way to repair or get replacement items for this machinery would be to machine/make them from scratch? That would be a real issue. I guess....

Yes you are correct, these were one off machines that were designed by GE. These have come up for sale before IIRC.

TM

[martin manning]

Looks like GT was the previous owner.
Since they'ye not out of business, I'd guess any tooling of value has been cherry picked for their current production.
Anything left probably wasn't worth moving.

GT, now owned by Fender, does not and never has manufactured tubes. However, this equipment is almost all specially made tooling, and as is it's not even close to a turn-key production line. I'm pretty sure it won't come with documentation, either. That said, it would have to be a huge leg up for someone wanting to go into production, though.

[ToneMerc]

Man, that would be something to own and start manufacturing super duper 6L6's again.
.

Machines and glass are one thing but keep in mind that these items don't include the internals( plates, cages..etc) components. Unless one is to going to clone the exact internal structure, use the same materials and exercise the same processes, it's a wash.

TM

[Structo]

I remember when Aspen was saying that he bought that equipment and was going to start making GE 6L6 in California.
In fact he even stated on the tubes they were made in the USA until some questioned this.
I heard as well that the equipment was shipped to China were the environmental laws are more lax.

It would be an almost impossible learning curve to start making tubes with that machinery.
Even if you had people that last operated it, sourcing the materials would be a big challenge.

[Colossal]

It would be an almost impossible learning curve to start making tubes with that machinery. Even if you had people that last operated it, sourcing the materials would be a big challenge.

Really cool looking old equipment. Would make for a cool documentary to set a crew of mechanically inclined guys on it, get it all working, and turning out great tubes again. Seems like lost art.

[selloutrr]

Let's assume it'll be $6m to get it all up running, in a factory, with enviromental permits, employees and product supplies. If it's done right how much of a market is really available? Could you turn a profit in 5 years? If so who knows how this equipment works? I'd be down for a career change

[martin manning]

...If so who knows how this equipment works? I'd be down for a career change

Got some time to waste? Start here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnvKCC6_VDQ ... and view all six segments. That will lightly scratch the surface for you.

[selloutrr]

Where do you purchase more supplies?

I can see it now... Move the equipment up to WA one side of the builting is tube manufacturing the other a micro brewery . A couple maxiburns to break in the tubes and a small fleet of amplitrex all hooked up to computer test each tube. A graphics suite for product literature. Probably a cnc machine to keep the place running over time, welding shop, and library for research. Give the plant a laid back vibe. I bet you could contact discovery ch with a game plan and get a series about producing tubes. Most likely you would need to do your own diy video until you can produce a product but after that they would be game on. That endorsement would cover your overhead for the tough months or start up. Then it's all about fine tuning a quality product and efficency, minimizing waste and staying as green as possible. If it's done start i'd bet expansion into el84, and 12A-7 would happen in the first 5 years or if a break in the market is presented. Like anything it's all about quality control, consistancy, tone, and performance. With as little loss as possible. It would be ideal to automate this equipment to make it as exact as possible. Now that brings up the ? Is it better to buy this equipment or build from scratch and start fresh.

[selloutrr]

...If so who knows how this equipment works? I'd be down for a career change

Got some time to waste? Start here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnvKCC6_VDQ ... and view all six segments. That will lightly scratch the surface for you.

I don't think tubes will ever be able to sustain a factory of that size again.
It's amazing to think they could make a profit with that many employees and the cost of machinary.

I wonder if most of the plants moved to china for the cheap labor

[John_P_WI]

What in the hell does Mr. Nikon, Ken Rockwell have to do with tubes?

I for one who has spent a large part of my engineering career on the production floor would not be afraid of the equipment. Almost all of the controls could easily be replaced, most if not all of the mechanics could be reproduced (assuming pieces are there that could be re-manufactured / replicated. You would be amazed at how old some of the equipment is on the production floors of big companies. Yes, we had a full machine shop of tool builders that could fix anything, sadly I admit that talent is quickly retiring in the US.

As Tom said, for this to work though, the entire system must be available plates, cathodes, materials, coatings, and regulatory / environmental licensing etc to make this viable venture. Hell yeah, I could be convinced to switch engineering fields too.