Hi to All,
Reply for Eberts:
> How current are those photos ?
Very recent, the telefunken tube was done a few weeks ago
> I saw a reprocessing plant in 1963 that used the same rescreening
> equipment in the USA.
Rebuilding tubes is a mixture of technology, know-how, and art. This was refined in the 50s and basically hasn't changed. A tube work station looks the same everywhere.
Now RACS is not a Mom & Pop operation using a DIY 1000$ kit like were widely sold in the US in the 60S. RACS is a small industrial outfit, been in business for 35 years, and have heavily stocked up on CRT components, glass, chemicals, etc. to continue offering the service for at least 5 years. BTW, they do a lot of MIL work for radar & head-up display CRTs.
Have a look at their site:
http://www.tube-cathodique.com
> The next year it was all scrapped and closed, color TV gained acceptance, > killed the profits and the B&W customer base.
RACS rebuilds B&W, monochrome (green, yellow,..computer screens) AND full color CRTs.
> I remember B&W rescreened tubes could be purchased for $4.95 to $9.95.
> The electron guns could be bought for 35 cents each in quantity.
Yes, well, those were the prices 50 years ago!
We are not trying to compete head-on with US rebuilders, but rather to offer an alternative when the US plants close down, in 2 years max, or less.
There is also a collector market in Europe, mainly the UK & Germany so far.
Best Regards
jhalphen
Paris/France