Should Tubes Look Like This? (Warning - Noob Question)

[win]

I always use a small bit of dielectric grease on the pins. Much easier to remove and install them that way.

 

[MAB]

I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t rule it out, but as I said, I was ridiculously careful placing the tube into the amp. Looking at the angle of the bent pin, that either happened in manufacturing or I hammered on the tube like a club-handed monkey when placing it in the amp. I mean, in order for the pin to have bent enough to break the glass, I’d have heard / felt the glass crack / shift. I’d then have needed to go back in and straighten the pin in order to get it to fit back in the socket. That just didn’t happen. If the pin was bent to an excess angle and then straightened, it happened in manufacturing not by my hands.

As for noticing the crack prior to installing, sadly, my near field eyesight isn’t what it once was. I also wasn’t primed to inspect the tube for those weaknesses. So no, I didn’t pick up a hairline fracture prior to using the tube.

End of the day, I’m reasonably confident that I didn’t start the crack on the tube... However, I definitely made it worse when I extracted it. Will the vendor be happy? No…, but then, neither am I. I have to go through the return process, look for replacements etc etc… It’s a PITA.

I do appreciate your comments… Thank you for those.

It's easy to bend or break.
I wouldn't worry about the vendor. They make money off of something that used to be a commodity and has no effect on sound.
If you return them, do you really need replacements? I thought you had extra.
Unless your gear is broken, the tubes make no audible difference in the sound. The PITA part of this affair is the urge to roll tubes, which led you to buy unnecessary items that double the cost of your device, which either broke or were broken, without imparting any sonic changes.

 

[DanielT]

@Connor1a Here is someone who has used many vaccum tubes, from 0:13 he brings up the topic of tube rolling:

 

[MAB]

Should tubes look like this after a 2 weeks’ use? Not sure you can tell from the pictures, but the tube looks like its been been frosted inside (it was previously clear). The tube is new manufactured (vs NOS or used). These were not inexpensive tubes. My apologies if this is one of those noob topics I should immediately recognize. I appreciate your patience… Thanks much.

View attachment 487143View attachment 487144

Was the amp still working with the tube in this condition?

 

[Roland68]

I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t rule it out, but as I said, I was ridiculously careful placing the tube into the amp. Looking at the angle of the bent pin, that either happened in manufacturing or I hammered on the tube like a club-handed monkey when placing it in the amp. I mean, in order for the pin to have bent enough to break the glass, I’d have heard / felt the glass crack / shift. I’d then have needed to go back in and straighten the pin in order to get it to fit back in the socket. That just didn’t happen. If the pin was bent to an excess angle and then straightened, it happened in manufacturing not by my hands.

As for noticing the crack prior to installing, sadly, my near field eyesight isn’t what it once was. I also wasn’t primed to inspect the tube for those weaknesses. So no, I didn’t pick up a hairline fracture prior to using the tube.

End of the day, I’m reasonably confident that I didn’t start the crack on the tube... However, I definitely made it worse when I extracted it. Will the vendor be happy? No…, but then, neither am I. I have to go through the return process, look for replacements etc etc… It’s a PITA.

I do appreciate your comments… Thank you for those.

This cracking can be very quiet, but it could also indicate a pre-existing stress fracture that's difficult to see.
Technical glass can be incredibly strong, but it's very fragile, especially at the junction and under stress in thin areas.

It's best to check the alignment of the pins immediately after delivery and report any issues. Under no circumstances should you straighten them without the necessary experience.

The connectors are simply solid pins or hollow plugs without springs. The bushings are usually pieces of pipe with one or two slots.
They might be a bit tight the first time (hey, just kidding, this is a public forum), so it makes sense to keep an old tube or socket and try inserting it once or twice.
The dielectric grease idea from @win is a good one and certainly won't hurt.

Before inserting the new tube, carefully touch the sockets with the connectors. With a little finesse, you can feel whether the pointed or rounded contacts slide slightly into the bushes. If not, check them carefully.

 

[Connor1a]

I always use a small bit of dielectric grease on the pins. Much easier to remove and install them that way.

Brilliant idea.

 

[Connor1a]

Was the amp still working with the tube in this condition?

Well, it was working +/- 10 days ago. At that time, I don’t recall the white getter. I should have tested the amp at that point, but I wasn’t sure if it would cause incremental damage so I didn’t try it… A lost opportunity.