Hole Size for Belton Sockets

[M Fowler]

Looks like those Forstners bits are coming out again for those pot indent.

[rp]

I guess you could tap the holes and just wind the pots in? Like the XITS.

Wow, that's plain nuts. I used to be nuts, then I got old enough to where I must conserve energy.

[The New Steve H]

I started thinking about all the crap I'd have to do to get the pots in there, and I decided to hollow it out with the mill. I made a place behind the front about 10" long and over 2" deep, and the panel there is 1/8" thick now.

Pretty easy if you have a mill. I clamped it with the top facing down and ran a 1/2" carbide end mill down the inside, dropping the bit about 3/8" per pass. I had no problem removing about 1/4" from the thickness in one pass.

My machinist pals gave me some ideas for fly-cutting the top when I'm done, and I might do that. It would look great.

This thing might turn out to be a little bit of a work of art. That wasn't the plan, but as long as I'm doing it, why not? I could turn some brass or aluminum knobs for it and maybe make some kind of a roll bar deal to go over the top. I wouldn't have to make a cabinet, and it would freak people out.

[azatplayer]

I reckon that amp will sustain for days!

[The New Steve H]

Here's what I got as of today. Plus a snowstorm of aluminum in the garage.

[guitarmike2107]

High grade aluminum

Not to be funny, But what is high grade aluminium? I use 1050h14 quite allot as it bends well with out cracking and machines quite easily with the right tools and lubricants and machine speed settings.

The tougher aluminium you use the more you have to watch how you bend it so that it doesn’t crack

Should also add that some grades of aluminuim that machine well won't weld well either.. if you are doing that of course

Someone asked for the metric size for the hole, 8 pin belton sockets require a 30mm hole. The Belton engineering website has part drawings of all the components.

http://www.belton.co.kr/index.php?mm_co ... CLS0001785

[Ken Moon]

The best aluminum alloy I've tried for amps chassis is 5052-H32.

It bends nicely with a small radius (using a bend radius equal to or greater than the sheet thickness is a good rule of thumb), and is not sticky and gooey like the cheaper alloys.

My favorite thickness is .090 - you can get .080 and .090 5052-H32 sheets at any of the popular online metals web sites for a good price.

btw, you can use kerosene for the cooling fluid with any aluminum alloy, and save money over WD-40 or cutting oil.

http://www.speedymetals.com/information/Material22.html

Here's a handy aluminum alloy guide:

http://www.onlinemetals.com/aluminumguide.cfm

[Tonegeek]

I am curious to see if you will have any noise or oscillation issues with the proximity of tubes and pots. I would be tempted to try a similar layout if I felt confident it could run without noise. RU using a circuit board or wiring it point to point?

[The New Steve H]

I made an eyelet board for the main circuitry, and I'm making another one for the caps.

I'll let you know if it squeals.

[AmpegSVT]

I purchased part number 109305 listed in the attached pdf for $26 from automationdirect.com. It makes a 30.5 mm hole. They make a 30mm also but I figured I'd give myself a little extra wiggle room.

[rp]

I purchased part number 109305 listed in the attached pdf for $26 from automationdirect.com. It makes a 30.5 mm hole. They make a 30mm also but I figured I'd give myself a little extra wiggle room.

Hopefully those are good quality like Greenlee. The Beltons pissed me off when none of my punches fit and I rushed to buy a cheap 30mm off eBay from England. I takes the strength of 3 lumberjacks just to cut throw an aluminum chassis, I might as well be using a hammer and chisel. I think it was QMax brand. Stay away from those. Report back if they work well.

[Structo]

Wonder what happened to Steve?

[M Fowler]

Hopefully something good

[M Fowler]

Hole size for Belton tube sockets is 30mm for octal sockets and 18.6mm for the 9-pin.

Hope this helps, Mark

[eddie25]

I purchased part number 109305 listed in the attached pdf for $26 from automationdirect.com. It makes a 30.5 mm hole. They make a 30mm also but I figured I'd give myself a little extra wiggle room.

Count me in for wanting to know how this punch works out for you.