#51 NOS Bulbs

There is generally no great advantage to an NOS bulb except in a rare collectable. A name brand may get closer to the expected life span by build and material quality but basically a #51 is a #51. I've noticed no real difference in life from cheap to name brand.

There is generally no great advantage to an NOS bulb except in a rare collectable. A name brand may get closer to the expected life span by build and material quality but basically a #51 is a #51. I've noticed no real difference in life from cheap to name brand.

Imported bulbs usually have a slightly longer base, and will not fit in transformer pilot lights.
I learned of this when I sold a quantity of surplus American made bulbs to a bulb dealer who purchased them for resale.
I am fairly certain I can spare some of the USA made bulbs I have on hand. Drop me a note using the contact information I have in my profile.

  Good to know, it may well be so too. But you can also get variations between US name brand bulbs too. I've had a box of Ge with oversized glass and Sylvania's with the lock pins positioned at 90°s. I just ground one pin off and used the oversized ones were I could.(pinball, it wasn't hard to use them up)  Imo, the only way to know for sure is to try. Knowing where they go should help with realizing any concerns.

  Good to know, it may well be so too. But you can also get variations between US name brand bulbs too. I've had a box of Ge with oversized glass and Sylvania's with the lock pins positioned at 90°s.

The "USA" companies, including GE, moved their bulb production offshore. I couldn't tell you exactly when.
Just because a bulb is in a GE box, or even marked GE, that doesn't mean that the product was made in USA.
I had some GE bulbs that were imported, and had seams (Parting lines) in the glass.
With very few exceptions, I use only USA made bulbs.

CharlieS posted:

The "USA" companies, including GE, moved their bulb production offshore. I couldn't tell you exactly when.
Just because a bulb is in a GE box, or even marked GE, that doesn't mean that the product was made in USA.
I had some GE bulbs that were imported, and had seams (Parting lines) in the glass.
With very few exceptions, I use only USA made bulbs.

I agree - as I've found over the past few years that full-size GE-branded bulbs aren't what they used to be.  They burn out around the house so much quicker that I actually took notice of the difference and thus I've stopped buying their bulbs altogether.

   I take it you just have to read the base for made in the USA? And the split globe is an easy clue of origin?

  I get production can change over time, and it takes complaints and more time to correct itself, but if the big names aren't making bulbs that fit anymore, aren't those NOS going to be hens teeth, I.e., isn't it worth saving those for use only when the others just won't fit.

   I take it you just have to read the base for made in the USA? And the split globe is an easy clue of origin?

The base or the box that the bulbs are packed in.
I think the seam (split globe) is a give-away too.
Also the length of the metal base is a tell.
Imported bulbs generally have a longer base.
(By the way, I guess there are a few other places where the longer base may impact the fit.)

 I get production can change over time, and it takes complaints and more time to correct itself, but if the big names aren't making bulbs that fit anymore, aren't those NOS going to be hens teeth, I.e., isn't it worth saving those for use only when the others just won't fit.

NOS bulbs that are USA made are getting more difficult to find. And most of the folks that have them on EBay are asking more than I would care to pay (to put it politely). I'd say it depends on what you have to pay to get USA product.

I really don't need to purchase bulbs any longer. I have too many, and actually would not mind getting rid of some.

That's what I'm worried about the new bulb, the bases are taller and covers won't fit from a ZW. 

Hey if that's your main concern, there is this guy Charlie that may have some kicking around. No telling how to get ahold of him though. Lol

  I mark mine with a marker on the base to keep from using my "jewels" without thought.

I hoped that kinda stuff "was over" when the oversized AA batteries stopped showing up as often. After my complaints about size years ago, I figured it was just a bad run as I never got more bad ones.

I imagine the flare at the bulb was skipped or not deep enough? Sad when the large names can even come home with a part to meet specs. Oversized is especially bad too.