Ian, sure, you can copy it - there's nothing new about what I did. The "socket pins" were from China via eBay. I think they're contacts for d-sub connectors (e.g. DB-25), but I can't find them from Digikey or Mouser in the US (they're probably cheaper from China, anyway).
Phil, the footprint I posted on another thread is slightly wrong - Ian had the anode numbering incorrect in the documentation, so a software change was needed to fix it. (I've now updated
the Eagle file
so it matches Ian's board) If you want, I have some extra unused B5991 (IN-12) boards, and I'll send you one for cheap (not trying to profit, but if I could get rid of the rest and cover my cost, that would be great). PM if interested. I'm thinking of a wood case similar to what you posted, I've got a bunch of ipe wood scraps left from building a deck. And, I think I want to make it more of an arch shape - if you look at the picture of the board, I made it so the top corners could be trimmed off (the diagonal lines), so it could be put in a smaller arch shaped case.
Next up, a smaller one using Burroughs B5861ST Nixies. (like the more common B5859, but with left-hand decimal, right-hand comma).