Blank Chassis

[FunkyE9th]

Hello,

So I've been looking at the blank chassis from turretboards.com. I like how it has the hex nuts already and that it's .090" thick. Anyone here ever use it? What did you think of it?

Thanks,

-FunkyE9th

[tweedeluxe]

I've used them. Very sturdy.

[gldtp99]

I've used several of them, also--- here's pics of a 25 watt, 2204-type build that uses a pair of 6V6's for outputs.
http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/ ... 0800%2025/

[Colossal]

I've used them as well. They are very nice.

[M Fowler]

I use them a lot and have been talking to Ken about offering the same size chassis he currently offers but the mounting tabs inside the chassis not on the outside.

So in the near future Turretboards.com should be offering even more chassis.

Ken wanted to know besides his 20 inch open channel chassis for combos, the marshall style outside mounting, and the soon to be released inside the chassis mounting are there any other suggestions for chassis types?

Let me or Ken Watts know.

Mark

[M Fowler]

Just as a side note:

I get my Trainwreck chassis from Allyn Meyers, not sure if Allyn offers other types. Very nice chassis.

rjguitars also has nice TW chassis and other styles.

I got my combo chassis from Dana Hall but not sure if the Brothers Hall are offering them anymore.

Mark

[FunkyE9th]

Thanks guys. I've been using the Hammond chassis. I built an amp with heavier PT/OT, it just seemed like the Hammonds won't hold up well with them.

Mark,

Maybe you can suggest to Ken to carry blank ones with IEC holes already. I hate cutting those square holes. Maybe a chassis for this IEC.... http://www.bulgin.co.uk/PDFs/CatNo82/Ca ... 05_Cat.pdf

Thanks all,

-FunkyE9th

[M Fowler]

FunkyE9th,

You probably would be able to get rjguitar to do that but Turretboards.com does hole punching and stuff but at a cost and minimum of 10 units.

[Phil_S]

I hate cutting those square holes. Maybe a chassis for this IEC...

The correct punch for this sort of hole is prohibitively expensive. I don't think anyone likes making this hole on the cheap, but it really isn't that bad a job. It takes me about 30 minutes. When you do this for a hobby, the time spent is just passing time. If I did this for production amps, I'd sub it out or buy the punch.

The technique varies for people according to the tools they have. You'll save time if you use a nibbler, which I don't have. This is how I do it. Use a fine point Sharpie to define the edges. Drill a small hole in each corner (1/8" or 3/16") tangent to the box lines, to mark the limits of the hole, being very careful to stay inside the lines. It's OK if you aren't really tangent, as these are just markers. Use a step bit to open the largest possible hole tangent to the box lines -- for the typical 1" x 3/4" IEC, that's 3/4", but sometimes 11/16" if you didn't center it exactly right. Note that you don't need to center the hole -- you can make it tangent to 3 sides. Finish the hole with a double cut mill file. Use the double cut, because it take off material on both the push and pull strokes, so it's half the time. Tidy up the corners. It's a bit labor intensive, but this has proven reliable and with proper sizing, gives a nice tight fit.

I've also employed a hacksaw. If you used the off center large hole, after cleaning up the large hole end with the file, you can saw close to the other end and break off that bit of metal with a pliers. This requires you to be very careful, though.

[M Fowler]

Phil, I make my hole the same way you do and also use a dremel to smooth things out along with my file. Works well and not that long. The first time some one does this it seem difficult. I use the same template for each chassis I built.

[mcrracer]

I mark the hole needed and use a Dremel fiberglass cut off wheel to carefully cut it out. I use aluminum chassis.

[M Fowler]

Those sugar cookies work good on aluminum but not on a steel chassis.

I get tired of replacing those cutoff disc and resort to the jigsaw much faster.

[FunkyE9th]

I also use a Dremel and cut off wheel. It works. But it's not exactly the most fun thing to do.

Anyone ever use a router? I saw website where the guy used a router on an aluminum chassis.

[Colossal]

I also use a Dremel and cut off wheel. It works. But it's not exactly the most fun thing to do.

Anyone ever use a router? I saw website where the guy used a router on an aluminum chassis.

Hey Funky,

A router and a jig is the way to go. Maybe the guy you were referring to was Silvatone? Check out: http://www.silvatone.bravepages.com The router/jig photo is on his 18watt Lite Build link. That guy does some very clean work.

[Structo]

I've done a couple IEC holes.

Similar to everybody else but I drill more holes.

I drill the corners first with the right size bit for the radius, then I drill along the inside of the straight lines, removing quite a bit of material.
Once the middle of the rectangle is removed I use an assortment of files and the Dremel to smooth the sides.

Most IEC connectors have a lip that will cover up and roughness of the cuts but I still try to make it nice looking.