question about ceriatone chassis side screws for cabinet

[amplifiednation]

Quick question...

On ceriatone orders, I know nik doesn't countersink the screws for the boards on the sides. How much clearance do those side screws need? I have built many ceriatone sized heads without a problem at 19 3/8 clearance but the last one didnt fit right. Seemed like the screws were bigger than normal on that build though

Edit: I meant 3/8, not 5/8

[sonicmojo]

I am not sure if the screws he always sends are exactly the same but I think they are similar in head height. I just measured a spare one from a batch of mounts I got from him. I would allow 2mm if it is only a one side deal (Bluesmaster) or 2mm for each side on the FET types.

[sonicmojo]

This is odd. I just measured my Bluesmaster cabinet that I built and 19 3/8 is plenty for it with enough room to spare if I had screws on both sides. 19 5/8 would be way too big for mine but it is raw wood and NOT tolexed. 19 5/8 should be plenty big with tolex. I wonder if the chassis itself was a little bigger or was the problem getting past thick suede?

[amplifiednation]

Thanks Bryan. The particular chassis that didn't fit had been a pre built ceriatone amp that was completely gutted and rebuilt to clone #081, which the builder owns. I'm not sure if he used different screws or maybe Niks early amps may have had larger than normal screws.

I put a combo together yesterday and its all ready for tolex, but i started getting concerned about the clearance at 19 3/8 with Raw wood. I'm not using thick tolex but i just don't want to have to send someone a cab that doesn't fit. I have used that dimention before without worry-i was shocked when that cab didn't work. I figured I would check. I meant to go a full 19.5 but lost some wood cutting the finger joints.

2mm should be OK. I wish he would just countersink the screws!

[amplifiednation]

This is odd. I just measured my Bluesmaster cabinet that I built and 19 3/8 is plenty for it with enough room to spare if I had screws on both sides. 19 5/8 would be way too big for mine but it is raw wood and NOT tolexed. 19 5/8 should be plenty big with tolex. I wonder if the chassis itself was a little bigger or was the problem getting past thick suede?

See edit above I meant 3/8. Whoops. 5/8 wouldn't be a concern

[Structo]

I would simply counter sink those holes.
The screw heads hang up when you slide the chassis in.

[exocet]

I would simply counter sink those holes.
The screw heads hang up when you slide the chassis in.

I'd agree with that Tom. Aluminium is soft enough to allow you to countersink these with a hand tool.

[amplifiednation]

I hear ya, if it was my amp I would do it in a few seconds with my drill...but it's for a customer who is in Florida who may not have the know-how that we do.

I'm going to go with it and if it doesn't fit you may see it for sale here in a few weeks.

Those combos are a pain to make they take a couple hours of serious woodshop time. They are killer once they're done though.

[Structo]

Worst comes to worse Taylor, you can gouge out the wood where the screws rub the sidewall.
But if you made the cab 3/16" wider than the chassis I'll bet it would slider right in.

In my case, I used a Ceriatone head shell that a guy gave to me after he had a custom one built.

My chassis was from CE so there was/ is about a 1/8" gap on either side.
If I didn't point it out not many would notice it, especially since it is black on black.
On a lighter colored cab it may show easier.

[amplifiednation]

Well if Bryan is right with 2mm screws, that is .08" on both sides, 0.16" total which puts me at 19.41, which is more than 19.375 so no way is it gonna fit once i put tolex on it. Man I hate those side screws.

No biggie I'll throw some suede and 1/8" aluminum trim on it and the space will be gone. It will be a nice combo for a CE chassis.

[sonicmojo]

It seems like I never estimate enough clearance for the amp covering and I am usually too close for comfort. Sometimes have to cut the tolex back to flush on the front side. I've never had a complete failure yet though, luckily.

[amplifiednation]

I get it right most of the time. I didn't realize I had cut the box joints so deep, that's where the problem occurred. Guess I will build another or get a chassis from RJ his are 19.25 with countersunk side screws it will fit perfect