Chassis success story

[Luthierwnc]

Hi All,

A few months ago I posted an inquiry about where I could get custom chassis work done. I got some excellent suggestions and tried to get up a steep learning curve on CAD. Using the Emachineshop in-house program I was able to grind my way through the basics. I bought a quick CAD program too but the emachine version was designed for exactly what we are doing here and you can export their proprietary version to the DXF file type that seems to be the industry standard.

As I said, it was a schlog -- particularly the corner dimensions. When it was done, I contacted a local custom fabrication shop. I had the good fortune to find a man who was interested in the project. I gave him some leeway on the precise exterior dimensions since I couldn't be sure of my own drawing. Since I wasn't going to make the cab until the chassis was done, a little bit here or there wasn't important. If this was a production run or done to fit a known cab size, that is something I would have paid more attention to. The holes are custom to fit some unusual iron and controls. I've always done these from scratch so I didn't need to worry about matching someone else's patterns.

I am very happy with the results. I should put in a plug for the builder. His name is Don Stikeleather at Brisco Laser Cutting in Swannanoa, NC. Here is a link to their site:

http://www.briscoinc.com/

It set me back $75 for the single.

Thanks again to all who contributed and I'll keep you posted as the project comes along, Skip

[Bob-I]

Looks really good...

There seems to be an extra control on the face, what's it for?

[Luthierwnc]

The usual OD trimmer is a panel pot on this one. This is a non-HRM with some other peculiarities. God-awful heavy transformers which is one of the reasons I didn't want a 2mm import chassis. The PT is half an inch bigger all around than a Twin type and I didn't want any sag in the middle (unlike myself). sh

[gilgalad101]

Looks good, fairly cheap, and under 2 hours away from me. I may look into using them in the future. Are you getting it powder coated or anything like that?

[Structo]

Looks real nice.
It would be wonderful to have all the tools we need at hand.
I'm afraid my experience with metal is a tin cup I made in junior high.....
Well I have done some other things but not a lot.

Sounds like it's going to be a heavy head.

[Luthierwnc]

I think they would do powder coating but I am going with my old standby faceplate on this one.

The main thing is that you can get custom work done in very small (couldn't get smaller) runs that is just what you want. From Clemson to Swannanoa I think I'd have them drop it in a box

sh

[groovtubin]

Hi All,

A few months ago I posted an inquiry about where I could get custom chassis work done. I got some excellent suggestions and tried to get up a steep learning curve on CAD. Using the Emachineshop in-house program I was able to grind my way through the basics. I bought a quick CAD program too but the emachine version was mostly designed exactly what we are doing here and you can export their proprietary version to the DXF file type that seems to be the industry standard.

As I said, it was a schlog -- particularly the corner dimensions. When it was done, I contacted a local custom fabrication shop. I had the good fortune to find a man who was interested in the project. I gave him some leeway on the precise exterior dimensions since I couldn't be sure of my own drawing. Since I wasn't going to make the cab until the chassis was done, a little bit here or there wasn't important. If this was a production run or done to fit a known cab size, that is something I would have paid more attention to. The holes are custom to fit some unusual iron and controls. I've always done these from scratch so I didn't need to worry about matching someone else's patterns.

I am very happy with the results. I should put in a plug for the builder. His name is Don Stikeleather at Brisco Laser Cutting in Swannanoa, NC. Here is a link to their site:

http://www.briscoinc.com/

It set me back $75 for the single.

Thanks again to all who contributed and I'll keep you posted as the project comes along, Skip

Hey man! I`m jim@Omegaamps, i know Chad @Stewart Sound, and Jack Mascari @ crossroads studio, both in Asheville, i think Chad lives in Brevard, you know these guys?? Maybe you can get up w/me and hear some amp noise!

peace, jim

[Tonegeek]

Hi All,

A few months ago I posted an inquiry about where I could get custom chassis work done. I got some excellent suggestions and tried to get up a steep learning curve on CAD. Using the Emachineshop in-house program I was able to grind my way through the basics. I bought a quick CAD program too but the emachine version was mostly designed exactly what we are doing here and you can export their proprietary version to the DXF file type that seems to be the industry standard.

As I said, it was a schlog -- particularly the corner dimensions. When it was done, I contacted a local custom fabrication shop. I had the good fortune to find a man who was interested in the project. I gave him some leeway on the precise exterior dimensions since I couldn't be sure of my own drawing. Since I wasn't going to make the cab until the chassis was done, a little bit here or there wasn't important. If this was a production run or done to fit a known cab size, that is something I would have paid more attention to. The holes are custom to fit some unusual iron and controls. I've always done these from scratch so I didn't need to worry about matching someone else's patterns.

I am very happy with the results. I should put in a plug for the builder. His name is Don Stikeleather at Brisco Laser Cutting in Swannanoa, NC. Here is a link to their site:

http://www.briscoinc.com/

It set me back $75 for the single.

Thanks again to all who contributed and I'll keep you posted as the project comes along, Skip

Skip, does the price include drilling? thanks,
whit

[Luthierwnc]

There is no drilling. When you design the CAD file, it programs instructions to the laser for every hole, slit and cut. Being a rookie, I had to work with the shop on the bends and welds but all the stock removal is done in a matter of minutes. Here is an unrelated YouTube vid on the process:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3hB1ssQwPg

Of course, I ended up drilling some holes where I should have put them the first time -- but just little ones. All the big ones are done to exact tolerances. No burrs, no shavings, no bandaids. This is a 3D pic from the Emachine program. You can spin these around to look from all angles.

If anyone wants the DXF file (errors and all), send me a PM, Skip

[Luthierwnc]

Jim, I've met Jack but not Chad. Does he have a brother who is also a musician? The did a gig at the Peel not long ago.

North Carolina seems to have a cottage amp industry. There are four or five name boutique shops plus Mojo and Hoffman (which is in the next town over from Brevard). I'm hobbyist but have been soldering for going on 20 years and picked up a few things along the way.

This laser cutting is a big improvement. No more having a part spin around like a lawnmover blade in the drill press. I've got a big shop but there are a couple tools I never bought (like a shaper and metal lathe) just because I knew I'd eventually lose a body part. For aluminum, a lot of high-end machine shops prefer high-pressure water cutters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq8lMGoS ... re=related

77k PSI! Clean your car in a hurry.

[Luthierwnc]

This always seems like the home stretch ... until I remember I need to build the cab. sh

[rsalinger]

As a friend of mine (a good, salt of the earth, stand-up east-texan) would say...

"Dat derr zwat ah coal uh purdy chassy!"

Very nice work. What CAD program/version?

Cheers,
Rob

[Luthierwnc]

I just used the freeware on the Emachineshop site. After it was done they wanted 300 bucks to make it but you can export their proprietary file type into the dfx format.

I also bought an older copy of TurboCad on EBay. I had originally thought I needed something else but the Emachine version is specifically for manipulating metal parts while the TurboCad is for everything. Where it came in handy was the ability to print a full sized version of the layout using multiple sheets of 8.5X11 (or whatever you have) paper. Being new to this, I didn't quite trust my competency far enough to order a part and have it come back inside out.

Figuring out the hole spacing is simple -- if tedious. What took more trial-and-error was getting the notches at the corners right. You have to allow for the bend in the metal and gaps for the deflection.

Save yourself a few choice words; as you advance the project, save iterations under a variety of names. If you have the program autocorrect even what you think is a small error, it can destroy what you have on the screen.

Good luck, sh

[dreric]

Skip

Nice build.

I wanna see your shop, looks awesome in the background. Pics?

Eric

[guitardude57]

Skip,
I sent an email to Brisco to see what it would take to build more of these chassis. What format are your faceplates in? Could I see a drawing of the control layouts. I am working on a Bassman conversion now, the next build will be a 100 watter, and your chassis etc, will work well for me.
Thanx, Mike