Demountable rotating anode X-ray tubes with a 7½ kW power dissipation have been built for conventional diffraction work with powder cameras and equi-inclination Weissenberg goniometers, and for use with a tetrahedral press for studying crystalline matter at ultra-high pressures. The tubes employ a highly compact cooling and sealing arrangement on the rotating anode which enables four windows to be used with the focal spot close to the specimen. A rotational speed of 1750 rpm with a focal spot size of 10 × 1 mm enables the tubes to be operated at 250–275 mA at 30 kV DC or at 150 mA, 50 kV DC.