A question for the tube gurus

[CA_Dan]

This is regarding the physical design of the plate on this RCA 6V6. Notice on the upper right side of the plate, there is a cutout that is bent slightly away from the cathode and grid inside. Is this to compensate for the crimp on the other side of the plate? It seems like the cutout would both reduce the gain and capacitance of that side of the plate, and the crimp on the left side of the tube would increase gain and capacitance.

:huh

http://gushue.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Electronics/Voice-of-Music/i-nQKBpWh/1/XL/IMG6964-XL.jpg

[KindaFuzzy]

I always wondered what those were for too, hope someone chimes in. I thought maybe it was some sort of necessity for manufacturing, like to check the spacing of the grid wire, or for the machinery to grab onto it somehow or something.

[Structo]

Huh, I've never seen that before.
Is that only RCA that does that?

[Timbre Wolf]

Dan - are you considering going into the tube production business? If you were an actor in a film, what would be your character's motive in asking such a question? :huh

Honestly, I don't remember reading about such a detail in tube design/production literature. But there certainly must be a reason. I'd guess it has to do with heat management, because that was such a critical design concern. But I don't know. Never gave it any thought, myself. Would love to hear the theories, though...

- Thom

[CA_Dan]

Dan - are you considering going into the tube production business? If you were an actor in a film, what would be your character's motive in asking such a question? :huh

LOL - No, although that would be a fascinating field I'm sure! Curiosity got the better of me, I guess.

[neteraser]

Why not? That won't be too hard to do.
Curiosity got the better of me, I guess. Yes, but also you need to actually start somewhere.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/01/make-your-own-vacuum-tube.html
You can let it go for years, but what should you do if you keep coming back with same idea?
But... I have to stop talking here. Make it your own way :)

[Timbre Wolf]

Curiosity got the better of me, I guess.
Yeah - that keeps happening to me too; I just can't seem to make it stop. :rotflmao

Wish I had the exact answer you're seeking. Maybe someone else does...

- T

[Blue Strat]

Huh, I've never seen that before.
Is that only RCA that does that?

GE's too. Not sure about the others but I don't recall seeing it anywhere else.

[cap47]

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss59/cap47/Lowrey%201960%20Organ/100_1151.jpg
I don't have that on these grayplate 6v6 Lowery organ pulls. They look like RCA.

[passfan]

weird huh.