I started with an AX84 kit, then a Weber Plexi and Orange kit, then went commando and started sourcing everything, punching chassis myself, and drilling/installing eyelet boards. I think everyone gets to a place where you figure out what things you like to do, and what things you don't, and what you don't mind paying a little extra for.
Of course every project is different, perhaps fueled by the fact that this can become an expensive hobby. You can always find broken tube stuff locally or on ebay. Some guys turn it into a business, which feeds the demon, and creates a little cash too!
Anyways, here's so info on ground up builds. I encourage any other members to post their sourcings as well.
Ken at Watts Audio has some nice blank chassis.
https://tubeamplifierparts.com/
He has a lot of different sizes and will also get them custom cut on larger orders. If you want to cut it yourself, get some Greenlee punches and/or some step bits. I use Inkscape for all my layouts/designing/boards, as well as faceplates.
I prefer using eyelet boards, and get them from Doug Hoffman. Sometimes I stake them myself, and sometimes he does them for me. As you know, Doug's customer service and work is second to none. You can get eyelets at Mouser.
Speaking of Mouser, if you take the time to sort through and get to know the website, that's your best best on cheap resistors and pots, as well as radial caps, and sometimes odd transformers. For general purpose resistors, I like the 1W carbon films.
Antique Electronic Supply has a lot of stuff. If you can prove you have a business, you can apply for their wholesale side, which is CE Distribution, and lots of stuff is discounted in bulk. Tube Depot also has some good deals on some stuff if you buy in bulk IIRC
Steve at APex Jr. has a lot of neat stuff and he's fun to talk to as well. I get a lot of wire and e-caps from him.
Tubes are hit or miss for me. Just when I think I find a vendor that is sending me great batches, I get duds. I send them back when that happens and voice my displeasure! Ultimately I think it puts pressure on everyone down the line to produce a better product.
If you want specialty components, say mustard caps or old 6PS caps, or whatever, you can always post here, and the vendors that post on this forum will find you, or you can scour ebay. All that stuff is out their, at a price.
Classictone has good stuff, as does Hammond, and MAtt at Musical Power Supplies is doing some cool stuff at great prices. There's Heyboer, Mercury Magnetics, too, at a cost.Some of these guys will do custom winds, too.
I prefer the 120V lamps, and get them from Newark, who also has a lot of stuff.
Ebay is good when you need that one 500K dual gang pot that you forgot to freaking order from CED!!
Hope that helps I think the first non-kit I did was a 2x6V6 Rocket that I did my own chassis and boards for. I sold it and got a CEDist account
