Retro-Style Dim Bulb Tester

[crazy eights]

I might be able to answer that pertinent question at some point in the future - the missus wants one installed on the deck, so we can have some visual entertainment while sipping our suds. One would have to be vigilant not to drip melted marshmallow goo down into the orifices (I know that sounds dirty).

*beavis voice* heh huh uh he said orifices huh huh

and speaking of which when we were young and stupid we'd have toasted marshmallow fights - everyone would take their shirts off, roast some mallows on a stick good and proper and wing them at each other,,,, and yes it sure did leave a mark,, what a bunch of knuckleheads LOL

and please don't ask about the bb gun, roman candle, and bottlerocket fights we would have,, youth is wasted on the young

 

[Brivan]

I received the DBT toggle switch plates today. I didn't think they'd be here for awhile, otherwise I would have waited to post pics. Anyway, as Jeff Lebowski's rug "really tied that room together", I think these retro switch plates do the same for the DBT:


Now, onto that lava lamp thing.....

 

[maxhifi]

I think what you really need beside this DBT, is a good old fashioned Jacob's Ladder.

 

[UncleBingo]

That is fantastic. Well done!

 

[bjlefebvre]

Nice work. Definitely makes me think I need to pretty-up my dim bulb.

 

[Brivan]

I think what you really need beside this DBT, is a good old fashioned Jacob's Ladder.

We had some desktop models back when I went to college. I wonder how big I could build it? Make it 4 or 5 feet tall with a sizable gap between electrodes. I'll have to see what's available for HV coils.

 

[Brivan]

That is fantastic. Well done!

Thank you! I've got a Pioneer receiver that I just purchased from Ebay that I get to try it on tomorrow. It would be nice if it was actually usable!

 

[Brivan]

Nice work. Definitely makes me think I need to pretty-up my dim bulb.

It's kinda fun. I was thinking about putting colored lamps in the sockets - yellow, red and green - or something like that. I found a few in my bulb stash - they're incandescent, but about the size of a golf ball, so I'm guessing the wattage is too low to be practical.

 

[tcdriver]

I like your dim bulb tester.

 

[Brivan]

I like your dim bulb tester.

Thanks! It was a fun build. I was fortunate-enough to have a nice cabinet (formerly a decade box) to use for the base. A couple months ago, I didn't even know what a dim bulb tester was! Thanks to the AK members on that thread for telling me about it!

 

[restorer-john]

It's awesome! All it needs now is a brass plate with scalloped corners and ye-olde style writing in the middle.

"Wireless Engineer's Original (1936) Dim Bulb Tester"

 

[NAD80]

Looks Fantastic Retro. All we need now is a thread to show off the DBTs made here.

 

[Brivan]

It's awesome! All it needs now is a brass plate with scalloped corners and ye-olde style writing in the middle.

"Wireless Engineer's Original (1936) Dim Bulb Tester"

We have a local trophy shop that makes those. Years ago, before Christmas Story leg lamps were commercially available, I made one for my dad for Christmas. Had a good time hauling a mannequin leg out of the local Younkers, but an even better time talking with the trophy shop people about creating a plaque the read, "The soft glow of electric sex"!

 

[Brivan]

Looks Fantastic Retro. All we need now is a thread to show off the DBTs made here.

That would be cool. I'd like to see what other folks have come up with for DBTs and other electrical things, as well.

 

[NAD80]

Since earlier photobucket screwed people on hosting images in various threads. It would be cool.