New Rocket Build-DONNA ROCKET

[Greg]

Hello all,
I have received everything I need to build my DONNA ROCKET from Allyn Meyer sans tubes and cabinet. The build is underway.

Thank you Allyn...

Amp is named after my wife Donna as she is a Trainwreck. It's ironic that I nicknamed her Trainwreck then learned about KF Trainwrecks and how they were named after ladies...COOL!!!

I have assembled, wired and soldered the board and installed the tube sockets. The chassis had most machining completed but I need to drill holes for several things and not sure about placement. I can see from pictures about were things go but not exactly.

Are there any chassis drill plans anywhere?

From the layout drawing I see wires from R4/B5 to B5 where the filter caps are wired to the board. I also think I see wires connecting B3 to R15/R16 and B4 to R6. It is difficult to see the underside of the board. I am not so good at reading schematics but am trying to understand. A picture of the underside of the board would be great.

I will have many questions to come...thanks guys.

Pictures show what I have so far...

I am so excited to get some swwwweeeeet TONE!!!

Greg

[Greg]

More Pics of progress...

[Greg]

More...

[Greg]

More...

[M Fowler]

Greg,

Here is the info you need but also beware that this is a guide make sure that your tranny is setback far enough to clear the front valance on the head cab or about 3/4 set back. Refer to Ron Worleys Express build guide under Traninwreck files for lots of information that pertains to all the TWs.

Mark

[Greg]

Excellent thank you sir. I will mark and drill the chassis tonight. Now I just figure out the hole sizes...that should be easy.

[fishy]

Greg,
That image Mark sent is actually available in the files section as a PDF. It details all the wreck chassis dimensions.

https://tubeamparchive.com/files/Trainwreck_Chassis.pdf

Having said that, your transformers are probably different and will not match up with those in the file. So, measure twice cut once rules here.

I would remove the tube sockets before you start drilling to maintain there cleanliness / intergity.
Once you have drilled the chassis, don't forget to check Everything fits before moving on. Now is the time to find out so you can resolve it.

Then you can look forward to the filament wiring after that which is easier tackled before you start populating the chassis.

Good luck with your build.

[M Fowler]

Your building the Rocket so you will need to drill one more hole for the rectifer tube socket as well. I didn't see any hole drilled for that on your pictures. Use a step drill for that.

One thing nice about the Rocket is it has all the room in the world beneath the transformers compared to the Express or Liverpool build. I'm sure I used #10 x 1/2 inch machine screws with flat washers and lock washers for my tranny mounting. Remember you need to drill for the PT and OT wire pass through and use ruber gromets to protect the wires.

Mark

[Greg]

Thanks Fishy and Mark. I will buy a step drill, remove tube sockets, drill rest of chassis after I have measured thrice and be sure to use grommets for the trannys pass through.

[Richie]

looks like your off to a great start..

[Allynmey]

Looks great Greg!!!

[Zippy]

Your building the Rocket so you will need to drill one more hole for the rectifer tube socket...

Or not. Realize that these power supplies are on the stiff side - very near what you'd get with a solid state rectifier. It's a choice, an option.

And yes, I have played a "Rocket" with a solid state rectifier plugged into the rectifier tube socket. Works great!

It's all a matter of preference - not dogma.

[M Fowler]

Zippy,

From a good look at the turret board he is using one would assume he is trying to be a correct as possible to the rocket build therefore I made the comment that there was no rectifier tube socket. Especially considering he got the parts from Allyn.

Using a SS rectifier would be easy as well or use both switched.

Mark

[Zippy]

I agree with you on all counts, Mark.

That's why I remarked that it need not be dogma.

If one REALLY wants original, you need the ol' brown Vector board - not the replica stuff. And I've got a pile of that on my bench too. Flea clips or turrets?

At the end of the day, I'd say you still need to put down the soldering iron and your camera and play the thing!

P.S. Do the Real Rockets use the lil' dowel to keep the chassis from collapsing too? Any chassis strong enough not to need the dowel is not original, ditto anything with welded corners.

[M Fowler]

None of my three trainwrecks come close to the original and probably not in tone wise either, but you know I don't care. I really like them.

The Trainwreck is one great looking amp no matter how all of us change things and venture into experiementing on the circuits. I hope you guys and gals are having as much fun as I am.

Mark