Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

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turbofeedus
Posts: 205
Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2019 5:37 am

Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by turbofeedus »

Hey all, back at it again with another conversion.
I found this neat older Sundown Formula 50 at my local GC.
Good condition, nice set of tubes. Sounded pretty bad though, seems to be the consensus for these amps.
No disrespect to the builder, who passed away last year. RIP Dennis Kager. Amp was assembled with much care and attention.

Anywho, I've decided to gut it and build in a modified deluxe. I've mocked up a layout:
layout v2.pdf
The chassis presents an issue; the original preamp sockets were PCB mounted. The chassis holes are 1", just big enough to not let noval sockets fit comfortably.
I'm looking for suggestions for mounting the sockets.
My idea was to fabricate a mounting plate, attach the sockets to that, and then the plate to the chassis. I could then even isolate the mounting plate with rubber for vibration dampening.
Any other ideas?
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xtian
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Re: Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by xtian »

I'm with you. Cut a new piece of aluminum to cover all four of the 1" holes and drill it out to suit you.
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
TUBEDUDE
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Re: Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by TUBEDUDE »

Use a Greenlee punch. Or one of those tapered reamer drill bits, if the material isn't too thick.
Tube junkie that aspires to become a tri-state bidirectional buss driver.
turbofeedus
Posts: 205
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Re: Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by turbofeedus »

xtian wrote: Mon Jun 03, 2019 10:16 pm I'm with you. Cut a new piece of aluminum to cover all four of the 1" holes and drill it out to suit you.
Word, just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something obvious.
TUBEDUDE wrote: Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:48 am Use a Greenlee punch. Or one of those tapered reamer drill bits, if the material isn't too thick.
I've been thinking of getting some punches, maybe now's the time.
SoulFetish
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Re: Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by SoulFetish »

Greenlee punches are definitely worth it.

I had a similar problem and came up with this solution we discussed here:
https://music-electronics-forum.com/sho ... be+sockets

Maybe this gives you some ideas. I would not recommend drilling out the centers of the washers, as I did. If you read down, I believe I listed a metric washer which fits the belton chassis mounted noval sockets quite nicely. (M20 fender washers maybe?)
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M Fowler
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Re: Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by M Fowler »

I like those round tube plates very nice.

Use step bit to enlarge or find some sockets that will fit.

The Belton's are 18.6mm hole punch, the ceramic are 3/4" and there are outer sizes out there.
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M Fowler
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Re: Recommendations on mounting preamp sockets?

Post by M Fowler »

https://www.angela.com/tubesockets.aspx

Page 5 has tube socket plates.
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