Tube damper DIY?!

Not sure what to make of this.

http://www.jt30.com/jt30page/micKdiy/DIY-Tube-Dampers.html

> What I'm looking to do is to find some o-rings that can withstand the heat
> to use as dampers for the tubes... 100 - 130F is no problem if that's all
> a preamp tube does....I've heard of using stretch watch bands as
> damper-coolers for tubes. They could take a lot more heat.

Ah. I see. The watch bands trick will work, or you can go to an auto parts
store and buy some of Perma-Tex's silicone rubber gasketing goo. This stuff
is like RTV, except it is opaque red and will supposedly withstand up to
about 500F (they say...). This ought to be a good thing to run a bead around
the base of preamp tubes just above the socket line.

O-rings would work, but I wonder if the hard rubber would make for much
mechanical damping.

The Permatex ought to be good for gooping on the socket-to-chassis joint, too.
You could drill the rivets or remove the screws and nuts holding it on, goop
the joint, then put in new, slightly longer screws. This should damp a lot
of chassis borne feedback. I've seen a lot of older chasses with rubber
o-rings between socket and chassis.


Some urethanes are fairly high temp, too. A ring of softish urethane would
make a good - and removable - damper.