[AMPS] Chassis

[Lamb]

Cutting holes for sockets and various other parts on an amplifier require a
certain amount of tools.  It really does not take much more to cut the
entire chassis - just the right size.

Aluminum panels can be cut easily with a table saw or even a hand held
circular saw.  All you need to do is go to Sears (or other store) and get a
blade that will cut non-ferous metal.  Then get a sheet of scrap aluminum
that is rigid enough (both thickness and rigidity is important).  Then cut
the top and sides individually - put together with angle aluminum.  If you
are building an exterior cabinet, use the thicker angle aluminum and thread
the angle  to allow easy removal.  Use a counter-sink to so that the screw
heads are flush.

The cabinet can look quite nice - and be much more accessible than
commercial amplifiers.  For repair work, having any panel removable in any
sequence is wonderful for repair.

One of the axioms of amplifier repair is that it is usually the part least
accessible that fails, so building an amplifier that does not have
inaccessible parts makes it better than many commercial amplifiers.  Having
just had to remove 7,000 knobs and the front panel of an old Johnson
transmitter just to replace a defective pot reminds me how important service
is.

Happy New Year,  Colin  K7FM


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