Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Toxophilite on September 27, 2015, 10:33:40 pm

Title: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: Toxophilite on September 27, 2015, 10:33:40 pm

I have some old organ back aluminium
It's .051 inches thick or about 1.29 mil


Seem pretty skookum
Would this be thick enough for a chassis of a medium sized amp? say 30-40 watts

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: FranciscoPerez on September 28, 2015, 03:29:23 am

Guess it would depend on how it's bent. I've gone a bit thinner than that in some narrow-panel builds with no issues.

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: TIMBO on September 28, 2015, 03:48:20 am

I use aluminium chassis all the time and the sheet metal guy I use only has 2.5mm and I would not like to use anything much thinner than that. There is one problem I have with the 2.5mm aluminium is if I use plexi faceplates, these are usually about 2mm thick, the bushings on pots are only just long enough to get the nut on.

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: kagliostro on September 28, 2015, 06:37:50 am

If the amp isn't larger than a 30W I suggest a 2mm thikness for aluminium chassis


Franco

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: John on September 28, 2015, 06:38:52 am

If you're just using the .51 for your own build that you'll be using, it'll probably be "good enough". Once the chassis fastened in the cabinet, it helps to stiffen it up. Although it'd probably be better used for an 18 watter or less.


Naturally, thicker is always better. But using whatcha got is good too. ;)

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: uki on September 28, 2015, 07:07:08 am

Quote from: Toxophilite on September 27, 2015, 10:33:40 pm

I have some old organ back aluminium
It's .051 inches thick or about 1.29 mil


Seem pretty skookum
Would this be thick enough for a chassis of a medium sized amp? say 30-40 watts

That will probably do, for a larger chassis would be better to use 2mm, so it wont bend with the weight of the transformers.

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: Toxophilite on September 28, 2015, 10:03:31 am

Thanks. I might save it for a lighter build. I have a hankering for a champ ever since I gave away a reissue one to my brother.

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: EL34 on September 29, 2015, 08:07:43 am

I sell chassis that are .090 inch thick


I don't think I would use anything thinner than that


It's really easy to bend an aluminum chassis if it has decent sized transformers

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: EL34 on September 29, 2015, 07:21:19 pm

All the amps I built in the old days were .125 inch thick 6061
never seen a problem with those


.090 is the minimum I would build with as far as I am concerned

Title: Re: Aluminium chassis thickness
Post by: Toxophilite on September 29, 2015, 07:38:46 pm

hmm Maybe I'll save it for face plates. little boxes , patches what have you
Thanks for all the suggestions and advice!