Anyone wear gloves to handle vacuum tubes?

Whoever first spread the rumor years ago that skin oil damages tubes was an absolute fool, but washing your hands before handling them is a good idea.

I’m sure someone is going to dispute this, live and learn!

@faustuss ,

You are correct!

I’m totally disputing this. Since the ideal material for storing acids is glass, and highly corrosive hydrofluoric acid is about the only acid that etches glass, this is pegging my Poppycock meter to the point I had to unplug it and take an aspirin. Some manufactures literally acid etched their date codes on their tubes without stressing the integrity of the glass after decades. 🤔

@thecarpathian I do not think this is the case with Vacuum Tubes. This is very much so true when handling Halogen Light Bulbs as they run very hot and would could burn the oils deposited on the bulb from your hands. KT88 not so much.

I still am cautious and do wear gloves when rolling tubes.

@texasblues1959 ,

I'm confused by your response, which is not unusual for me. Are you agreeing? Disagreeing? While you decide, I'm going to take another aspirin.

@thecarpathian I can see where it could be confusing. I am disagreeing that the oils in our skin would cause hot spots on the surface of a vacuum tube.

Easy on the aspirin they will burn a hole in your stomach.