Warehouse 13 - The Tesla Gun

[Sara013]

Hallo!

Just thought I'd follow up on this... my dad was able to help identify some of the tubes because he is just that awesome. :lol

Here's what he had to say:

"The big tube is what's called a high voltage rectifier--used to develope high voltage (15kv to 25kv depending on the type of tv) with the high voltage transformer. The two smaller tubes are simple amplifier tubes--look like an audio and a verticle output tube. Easy peasy....I got tons of that stuff. Interestingly, the gun in the third picture has broken tubes in it---look at the white residue at the top of the tubes compared to the dark or silvery innards of the other pics. That silvery stuff turns white when a tube breaks while running."

The third picture he was referring to is this one:


I kinda thought those looked busted, so it's nice to see he thinks so, too.
I hope to be going home sometime soon, so I'll take a look at all the stuff he has, just in case anyone other than me is still interested in actual tubes.

 

[Interceptor6]

Hallo!
I hope to be going home sometime soon, so I'll take a look at all the stuff he has, just in case anyone other than me is still interested in actual tubes.

I picked up another tubed radio this weekend for $1, and found a thermocoupler for the trigger top at the same sale.
I've also started cutting on 1/4" frame #2. Hope to get to the brass works this weekend.
Glad to have Dad on the team!
Jeff

 

[treker2557]

I have been watching this thread intensely for awhile now and I know of a few places to try and locate vacuum tubes near me. Thanks to Sara013, I will try and get some and if I have extra I will offer them up at cost to anyone. I'll be taking a look this weekend and next week and let everyone know.

 

[PeterLC]

"The big tube is what's called a high voltage rectifier--used to develope high voltage (15kv to 25kv depending on the type of tv) with the high voltage transformer.

I was thinking they were rectifier tubes as those types of tubes had been among the bigger ones I had found online. I had been watching some on ebay but they just got away from me at the end.

The two smaller tubes are simple amplifier tubes--look like an audio and a verticle output tube. Easy peasy....I got tons of that stuff.

I do know that in some guitar amps they come in a pair of a bigger one and a smaller one like that such as an EL84 and a 12AX7.

Interestingly, the gun in the third picture has broken tubes in it---look at the white residue at the top of the tubes compared to the dark or silvery innards of the other pics. That silvery stuff turns white when a tube breaks while running."

It is caused by the getter material oxidising when air gets into the tube isn't it. Maybe they damaged the tubes when making the props or got a bunch of broken ones. I think if I found undamaged ones it would be nice to have it all shiny and new looking.

I've never been really big on "ageing" things. I'm still tossing up whether or not to age my Farnsworth or make it look new. I'll probably go with the concensus though and age it.

I hope to be going home sometime soon, so I'll take a look at all the stuff he has, just in case anyone other than me is still interested in actual tubes.

I'm still absolutely interested in getting some that look just the right sizes. Even better if they are the right types of tube.

 

[Interceptor6]

Anyone have any luck with the trigger yet?
Look up "Thermocouple gas control valve". I've seen several "close" ones, but can't find an exact match yet.

 

[PeterLC]

Remember that the valve used might not have looked exactly like it ended up. It might have had a bit cut/ground off one end or side. The "tap" part might have come out of one end or the middle. There seems to be both types from what I've seen online.

Have we ever seen the "top" and "bottom" of this valve properly? It might have a plug in both ends and one in the side port, and a a reducer in the top plug.

Maybe if this gas pressure relief valve would work. Unscrew the threaded parts with the hex heads and then grind off the flanges from the holes and add appropriate plugs.

Anyone have any luck with the trigger yet?
Look up "Thermocouple gas control valve". I've seen several "close" ones, but can't find an exact match yet.

 

[Interceptor6]

That looks 'real' good! Is the size correct?
There are a couple of pics on this thread that show the top and bottom pretty well, (though thru Pete's fingers). The top looks smooth until the "cap" threads into it, and the bottom looks smooth as well.
I'm still of the mind set that it's a found part. The thing just makes such an improbable looking trigger for it to be a "designed" part.
I sent out a few emails to various dealers in antique heaters, stoves, radios, etc. and have had a few interesting replies. We'll see if it's any help soon.
Jeff

Remember that the valve used might not have looked exactly like it ended up. It might have had a bit cut/ground off one end or side. The "tap" part might have come out of one end or the middle. There seems to be both types from what I've seen online.

Have we ever seen the "top" and "bottom" of this valve properly? It might have a plug in both ends and one in the side port, and a a reducer in the top plug.

Maybe if this gas pressure relief valve would work. Unscrew the threaded parts with the hex heads and then grind off the flanges from the holes and add appropriate plugs.

 

[PeterLC]

I found the picture completely out of context so I'm not sure if small like gas fittings or bigger like water pipe fittings. I have sent the appropriate part of the Tesla picture that shows this bit up close to a couple of friends who might know someone who does gas fitting or something similar. It's all foreign to me as I was an electrician.

Someone needs to invite the prop guy out for a few drinks and ask him a bunch of questions. All I know is it looks brass and looks cast.

That looks 'real' good! Is the size correct?

 

[Interceptor6]

Someone needs to invite the prop guy out for a few drinks and ask him a bunch of questions. All I know is it looks brass and looks cast.

I'll start drinking, you locate the prop guy! :lol
Electrician huh?... We'll get you the tubes from this end and you can do the wiring from your end. I'd thought about cutting out several frames and offering them up, but would hate to see the same problem develop that the Farnsworth faces created! Perhaps "Bartertown" is the way to go!

 

[Interceptor6]

Here's one reply to my email sent to the "pro's". Some very helpful folk out there.
Jeff

(Warehouse 13) I watch that too. I have no idea as to what the various metal components
are. The brass thing with the dark square has a small pipe coming out
and is probably a hydraulic component of some sort, or maybe even a cut
up brass central heating tee piece with a nut and small pipe brased on.

The larger ot the two valves that make up the 'tesla' are most probably
a TV line output valve like the PL504 (see
PL504 @ The National Valve Museum ) which has had air let in -
thus the white bit at the top that is normally dark and silvered. The
other is a US Compactronm for example
Compactron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia but a shorter one.

Jeremy

 

[PeterLC]

If you look at the photos on the first page of the thread, the ones where Artie first shows the Tesla to Pete and Myka in the piot, show a damaged tube which has a white end from air getting in. If you look at the first picture where the Tesla is being held at someone's side, the tube is not damaged. The getter material is still silver.

The larger ot the two valves that make up the 'tesla' are most probably a TV line output valve like the PL504 (see
PL504 @ The National Valve Museum ) which has had air let in -
thus the white bit at the top that is normally dark and silvered. The
other is a US Compactronm for example
Compactron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia but a shorter one.

Jeremy

 

[PeterLC]

I have a couple of tubes coming in the mail that just might be pretty close to what is needed. They may be the best I can get. Anyway if it works out that they look about right, I'll let you know the model numbers.

The trouble with so many old valves is that the numbers rub off the glass. I think these are all new ones so they should be in good condition.

I don't want that damaged white look about mine. I think it looks way better being silver. I'm planning to make the Tesla look as aif it were a new one rather than one that has been used by agents for years.

The frame is a simple thing to have cut. The molded resin handles shouldn't be too hard to do either molded directly onto the frame or as separate pieces to glue on later. The hollow brass/copper rods threaded at one end should be OK. Hopefully the knob isn't too hard to find though the little meters and battery low display will have to be made.

I think the easiest way to go making that little panel is to use transparent material painted from behind with the meters and lettering masked first so they stay clear. It could even be screen printed. Print the meter dials on white paper and place behind the panel. Light them behind with an LED. One could even do the same with the settings for the dial on the other saide so that the numbers could lit from behind if required.

The main body still poses a bit of a problem so I think making it from scratch is best. Brass end plates, some largish diameter brass or copper pipe with the two sides cut out for the panel (I love my Dremel) and threaded brass rods. The wire coil at the "working end" should also be easy enough to make.

Also that little gas/water fitting for the trigger is an issue. I have a couple of people getting back to me about what it might be.

There's a little brass piece near the rear vacuum tubes that helps to hold the main body onto the frame that will likely need to be made as well.

 

[Sara013]

Hallo. ^_^

After digging around in a few antique shops, I'm no longer convinced that the "fake" vacuum tubes are actually fake, if the qualification is that the silver part has such a nice, straight, clean-cut line to it. Also, after dropping several, they seem to be a lot sturdier than I originally imagiend. :lol

I found a lovely little GE vacuum tube that's just as straight and clean-cut. So it could be down to the manufacturer's process and product requirements. [/enginerd] Here's a photo for comparison. On the left is an RCA 8BU11, with the hazy silver stuff. On the right is a GE 678 (DAT 400W 120V) tube, with gold/brass stuff instead of silver, finished just as crisply as the prop in the photos.

The RCA one I have is about the right shape and diameter as the prop, but it's a bit too long:

The GE one is about the right size all around, but it's the wrong colour and, well, isn't a rectifier:

I stumbled across a really cool site for vacuum tubes, which has so many for sale. (yay!) I was going to send a photo to see if the Expert could identify the tubes, but haven't gotten around to it: Vacuum Tubes, Inc.

And as far as the little brass fitting, I've used Small Parts a whole lot for work when we need small fittings. I haven't searched through their catalogs, though, so I can't identify which fitting may be used. I do think it's just a pipe or tube fitting, though, instead of a "valve". Don't know why I think that. Just do. [/random]

Good hunting.
--S

ETA: Found the square plug for it, maybe?
Something along these lines, anyway.
Example 1 (Small Parts)

Suppose I could always ask the guys at work if they can I.D. the stuff....

 

[phez]

I am looking at those tubes

I think the big one looks like just an EL34 (the big plates, the solid looking parts in the tubes, are usually audio tubes), the small skinny one looks like a 12AX7 preamp tube, and the bigger small one is a rectifier (maybe a GZ34). The plastic bottom that normally surrounds the pins has been slid off of all of them I bet they all came out of the same piece of audio equipment. I know for sure they are the correct size (I worked with them for a long time).

EL34
12AX7
GZ34l

 

[PeterLC]

There is such a vareiation to the "neatness" of the edge of the silvery getter area on the glass that it could not be used as any sort of qualifier for whether a tube is fake or not. I've seen neat sharp edged ones, some with quite wavy edges and others that are completely lopsided. In fact many tubes have this silver area on the side rather than the end. It depends on where the manufacturer decided to put the little coil to burn off the air.

It's possible that that gold ended one has something put on the inside of the glass first before the tube was selaed and the burned off getter material is on the inside of that gold layer and can't be seen. Most of these "heater rings" were made of magnesium which would leave a silvery deposit.

After digging around in a few antique shops, I'm no longer convinced that the "fake" vacuum tubes are actually fake, if the qualification is that the silver part has such a nice, straight, clean-cut line to it. Also, after dropping several, they seem to be a lot sturdier than I originally imagiend. :lol

 

[PeterLC]

The large one I got is Tesla PL 504 37 (beam pentode tube) which seems to have about the right dimensions and the two smaller ones are GE tubes 50HC6 tube F (power pentode) and a 6AG11 tube W (Compactron with 2 diodes and 2 tridoes) and again the dimensions look about right.

I was thinking a 12AX7 looked like it might work for one of them.

I am looking at those tubes

I think the big one looks like just an EL34 (the big plates, the solid looking parts in the tubes, are usually audio tubes), the small skinny one looks like a 12AX7 preamp tube, and the bigger small one is a rectifier (maybe a GZ34). The plastic bottom that normally surrounds the pins has been slid off of all of them I bet they all came out of the same piece of audio equipment. I know for sure they are the correct size (I worked with them for a long time).

EL34
12AX7
GZ34l

 

[Sara013]

There is such a variation to the "neatness" of the edge of the silvery getter area on the glass that it could not be used as any sort of qualifier for whether a tube is fake or not. I've seen neat sharp edged ones, some with quite wavy edges and others that are completely lopsided.

Ayup... that's kinda what I was getting at... I just thought I'd mention it and post a comparison photo because the theory popped up here a little while ago.

 

[Jhemma]

I've got my tubes now, my friend wrote down the model numbers and will hopefully post them here soon. If it turns out that what I've got is close enough for you guys, I'd be willing to make molds of them so they can be cast in clear resin for anyone who wants a fake tube in the right size.

I also completely lucked out on the brass tube for the body. There was a package of toilet repair parts at Lowe's (I can find out the exact item tonight when I get home) that had a brass part that looked about the right size, but a little small. Holding it up to the scale printout when I got home though, it may be just about perfect. Just needs the window cut out. I bought two large metal washers too for the end caps, guessed on the size but again next to the printout they look perfect. I can't wait to take pics tonight. The washers aren't brass but they're brass colored metal of some type, just looks aged.

The large front tube fits perfectly into the hole in the washer, too, so it should be easy to assemble.

 

[Jhemma]

Also, does anyone have any ideas where to find the voltage meter in the case? Looks like it functions as a charging station. I'd like to make the gun and whole case if I can.

 

[Kylash]

in case no one saw, the PIH one sold for $5,000

Tesla gun used by Warehouse Agents Myka Bering, Pete Lattimer and Artie Nielson in Warehouse 13