madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: juansolo on May 31, 2013, 07:29:42 PM

Title: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on May 31, 2013, 07:29:42 PM
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/947072_10151702294032160_162974739_n.jpg)

A small issue with it (not displaying the number 9 on the 3 right hand tubes) outstanding. Blokey is going to send me a new IC to see if it sorts it. Otherwise it's hypnotically marvellous.
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: G.G. on May 31, 2013, 07:50:45 PM
Nixies! Love these things, I could just stare at them ticking off the seconds. . . . .  :D How was the build?
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on May 31, 2013, 07:58:28 PM
Not bad at all. If you've made guitar pedals you can make one of these no probs. Sensible build docs also that have you testing it as you go along.

It's this kit: http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: GrindCustoms on May 31, 2013, 08:26:57 PM
Oh! Nixies!

Everytime i'm on SOVCOM store i hesitate to push...buy it now...

That's a really nice kit! :)
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on May 31, 2013, 08:38:31 PM
It's really nicely done all round. Very impressed with it. If slightly bummed that it's not working 100% just yet. Hopefully the IC swap will sort it, as if it doesn't I really have no idea what I've f**ked up.

Just had a look at the price of the BIG tubes :o £40ea Do a currency conversion on that if you want to be frightened, remember you need six of them...
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: ChrisM on May 31, 2013, 09:00:54 PM
Very cool
Was that spiffy enclosure included?
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: GrindCustoms on May 31, 2013, 09:12:01 PM
Quote from: juansolo on May 31, 2013, 08:38:31 PM
It's really nicely done all round. Very impressed with it. If slightly bummed that it's not working 100% just yet. Hopefully the IC swap will sort it, as if it doesn't I really have no idea what I've f**ked up.

Just had a look at the price of the BIG tubes :o £40ea Do a currency conversion on that if you want to be frightened, remember you need six of them...

Wich big tubes are you talking of? All the nixies i see are between 9$ and 12$....
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on June 01, 2013, 08:26:21 AM
Quote from: GrindCustoms on May 31, 2013, 09:12:01 PM
Quote from: juansolo on May 31, 2013, 08:38:31 PM
It's really nicely done all round. Very impressed with it. If slightly bummed that it's not working 100% just yet. Hopefully the IC swap will sort it, as if it doesn't I really have no idea what I've f**ked up.

Just had a look at the price of the BIG tubes :o £40ea Do a currency conversion on that if you want to be frightened, remember you need six of them...

Wich big tubes are you talking of? All the nixies i see are between 9$ and 12$....

IN-18, this is the cheapest I can find them: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Nixie-IN-18-Tubes-Tested-Matched-Guaranteed-USA-SHIP-/281114658933?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4173bd4875

Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on June 01, 2013, 08:28:27 AM
Quote from: ChrisM on May 31, 2013, 09:00:54 PM
Very cool
Was that spiffy enclosure included?

Available from the same place milled rather than cast too, really quite nice. Though I snagged the last one it seems, they also do a wood one for this particular clock. Normally they do acrylic ones that I'm not fond of. They don't come with the kit though. All up, for everything (kit, tubes, case) it was £170 delivered. Nothing stopping you doing your own enclosure though or indeed, something like this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Lamina-Nixie-Clock/

Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on June 01, 2013, 09:56:03 PM
Pic in the light:

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/977074_10151703908542160_2053337702_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: drezdn on June 01, 2013, 10:55:35 PM
 :o Pretty
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: pickdropper on June 01, 2013, 11:05:27 PM
I am completely and utterly jealous.  I've wanted to get a nixie clock for a long time.
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: juansolo on June 02, 2013, 07:50:33 AM
...and now a tube has gone out on it completely... Ah well, hopefully the new IC will sort it, but I suspect there's something fundamentally wrong with this one :(

Gutted.
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: Thomas_H on June 02, 2013, 09:34:19 AM
I love nixies!  Too bad there seems to be something wrong with your kit but I am sure you will sort it out!
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: TNblueshawk on June 03, 2013, 10:53:25 AM
I learn something new every day. Never heard of this.
Title: Re: Built something a little different today...
Post by: aballen on June 06, 2013, 12:10:09 AM
Nixies are awesome.  Many years ago I saw someone make a wrist watch with 4 tiny nixies.  Totally impractical since the power needed was so much but he made it work by having it normally off, push a button to light em up. 

I also made my kid a clock with a nixie like vacuum tube from Adafruit.  Yours looks really nice, I really like the base.