Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: johngovan on January 14, 2019, 12:28:46 am
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Can i use a plain stainless sheet as an amplifier chassis? What thickness is needed for this build? There are no aluminum sheet that is sold locally in our province. Only stainless sheets and ugly galvanized. They offer thickness like, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1. I will not build a all tube amp but a preamp only with 2 12ax7's in it.
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SS is VERY hard to cut and drill. Get a small piece and try it before you commit to a project.
Also examine "junk" equipment. I have used old network router cases. Sluckey used a toaster-oven. I have seen preamps built in cookie-tins.
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Are you trying to save moolah? If you are that's cool. Hammond Mfg. is also in Canada.. since you said Province I assume you are in Canada. why not order an enclosure from Hammond?
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why not order an enclosure
I think they have a VAT, so he'll have to pay for everyone else's enclose before he can have his :icon_biggrin:
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I'm from Philippines. So stainless is not a good option. Hope i can find an alternative. There are aluminum sheets in pur country but that's too far from our province. And shipping that big piece of aluminum sheet will cost so much. That's why the only option i have is galvanized or stainless that i will bend in my diy sheet metal brake. I think i have to consider thinking other options i can use. Thank you for the inputs. But generally, is 0.6 or 0.7 gauge stainless strong enough for an enclosure or that's to thin?
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I have used an aluminum sign. Cut it to the flat size I need and fold it up. Punch holes. Once I did not paint it because it was made from an old RCA sign. Looked cool having RCA in the bottom of the chassis.
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I'm from Philippines. So stainless is not a good option. Hope i can find an alternative. There are aluminum sheets in pur country but that's too far from our province. And shipping that big piece of aluminum sheet will cost so much. That's why the only option i have is galvanized or stainless that i will bend in my diy sheet metal brake. I think i have to consider thinking other options i can use. Thank you for the inputs. But generally, is 0.6 or 0.7 gauge stainless strong enough for an enclosure or that's to thin?
My wife is from the Philippines so I know how hard it can be to find good quality stuff there sometimes. Which province are you in? I would think galvanized steel should be ok...many amplifiers have been made with that in the past....I think the usual is 18 gauge, though I'm not sure what that would be with the measurements there. Ted Weber's chassis are stainless and while they work well, if making one from scratch it would be hard to work with and drill holes in.
Greg
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depending on the specific alloy, stainless of any thickness as others said will be nearly impossible to bend without commercial equipment. It can be brittle and may want to crack when you bend it. Better to cut it with a saw and then use small angle brackets with rivets or bolts if you have to go that way.
Consider a 3 5 sided wood box with foil lining and a sheet metal plate for the tubes/trannies to mount on or in. This should be much easier to source and save a lot of labor.
When drilling stainless, use a very sharp drill bit and drill slow while cooling the bit and metal with a fluid. Otherwise you will generate too much heat for your drill and the metal will just guad up and deform while ruining your drill bit rather than cutting.
Mild steel would be a good choice too.
If you don't like the look of mill finished galvanized steel, you can paint it by first etching with white vinegar. Many paints will not stick to galvanized unless etched first.
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Sorry I didn't know the PI has provinces.. I've used stainless for small flat pieces on chassis to cover up old tube socket holes and add some new ones in different locations.. I can tell you like the others have said .... it is very hard and can be a real pain to drill or cut.. I think you could use it if you know how to MIG weld .. and weld up a chassis instead of bending.. the stainless I've been using is .043 inch or 1.11 mm thickness for a right angle bend it might work ... I don't know. I have to cut it with a carborundum blade and slowly.
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I have used steel a lot and we have a chrome shop near here, but aluminum wins. So easy to work with. Fold 4 sides and Tig (or mig) the corners, or stop by trailer shop and they will weld the corners and often not even charge. A large trailer shop where the weld aluminum.
I have a Tig and a break with many greenlee punches. It takes me over 2 times as long to make steel, but I do prefer it.
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The right sheetmetal cooking pan makes a great chassis.