Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: British1011 on September 30, 2020, 07:53:55 am

Title: Blank chassis
Post by: British1011 on September 30, 2020, 07:53:55 am
Looking for blank 5f1 chassis.  I know this question has been asked a lot but after searching the forum I can only find older posts and it seems most of the company's suggested no longer supplying them, are out of business completely, or are way over priced.  It looks like Doug doesn't have them here either.  The hammond chassis are a good price but the aluminum ones seem a bit thin.  I'm a machinist and had one of our suppliers quote one but they wanted $200 for one!!! Seems most of the shops around here only want to do large orders.  Hope you guys have some better options otherwise I'll just go with the hammond. Thanks
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: sluckey on September 30, 2020, 08:08:14 am
eBay has them...

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313&_nkw=fender+5f1+chassis&_sacat=0
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Latole on September 30, 2020, 08:27:10 am
Hammond boxes for amp chassis do the job very well. I use it for some amp


Google ; Fender 5F1 chassis; Ok they are not a blank ......

https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products/chassis-fender-style-5f1-tweed-champ

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/chassis-fender-style-5f1-tweed-champ

Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: British1011 on September 30, 2020, 08:41:18 am
Thanks guys.  I did see both of those options.  For the price + shipping for the ones on eBay I'd be better off spending a little more and get one already machined from Doug or tubes and more and save myself the extra work.  I was just trying to keep my overall costs down since I can use the cnc machines at work for free. and also wanted to do a different finish to make my amps look unique.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: mresistor on September 30, 2020, 01:32:20 pm
If you're willing to wait for delivery there is one for $50 on ebay  https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Guitar-50S-5F1-Tweed-Champ-Chrome-Plated-Chassis-DIY-Tube-Amplifier/333160458769?hash=item4d91e92a11:g:he0AAOSwVtZZ--3Z


I purchased a Hammond aluminum chassis a while back and was very disappointed with how thin and cheap it is. Don't know what I'll do with it.


This one is kind of cool  https://www.ebay.com/itm/5F1-Chassis-For-TWEED-CHAMP-OXBLOOD-POWDERCOAT-USA-made/324285815866?_trkparms=aid%3D1110009%26algo%3DSPLICE.COMPLISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D228187%26meid%3Deec54ac08dd54c4e8a8b17b14f715d0b%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D333160458769%26itm%3D324285815866%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3Ddefault&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: shooter on September 30, 2020, 01:42:35 pm
Quote
Don't know what I'll do with it.


 :laugh:
I used one on my last build, while it is thin, I try hard not to drop them
you can do what I did to thicken it up - lots of paint  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: acheld on October 01, 2020, 09:00:55 am
Now that is art in its most fundamental!

Oil or acrylic?
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: acheld on October 01, 2020, 09:08:07 am
I've been using this guy in Canada for several years:

https://seasidechassisdesign.com

Very high quality, reasonable pricing, fast (but not instant) turnaround. 

I have not bought one since the Covid, so shipping may be an issue now.  But this guy listens to what you are saying, checks to make sure he gets it right, and delivers on the product -- all things I used to take for granted, but no more (of course).

Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: shooter on October 01, 2020, 09:52:16 am
Quote
Oil or acrylic?


Acrylic, oil that thick would still be wet  :icon_biggrin:


I did over-spray a couple coats of high-gloss clear to give an "oil look"
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Latole on October 01, 2020, 10:45:33 am



I purchased a Hammond aluminum chassis a while back and was very disappointed with how thin and cheap it is. Don't know what I'll do with it.




They are thick enough and very popular for building small amp maybe not a 100 watt twin reverb. Or use steel chassis.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Ed_Chambley on October 01, 2020, 12:23:33 pm
Had a friend build basically an AB-763 in a hammond and installed it into a tweed style head.  First gig he played was opening so they had to get their gear out from in front.  Someone put it on the cart and must have set it down hard.  The bolts pn the Power Trans pulled through.  A grommet and good soldering skills kept the wires from pulling out.  It was just handing, but no one knew until he loaded it again.


He could feel the transformer swinging.  Needless to say a real chassis is hard to beat.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: sluckey on October 01, 2020, 12:42:14 pm
Haha! Sounds like my TDR. I built it on a Hammond 17 x 4 x 3 aluminum chassis. I could literally twist that chassis like a pretzel bare handed. Then I put a 5E3 in the same chassis. Then I put an 18W Marshall in the same chassis. I was pretty stupid back then.

     http://sluckeyamps.com/5e3/sisters_rear.jpg
     
     http://sluckeyamps.com/18w/18w_02.jpg
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Ed_Chambley on October 01, 2020, 01:07:43 pm
Stupid is harsh to say.  Let's say bedroom chassis or "Home Style"!


Builds look great and you saved $50 on each.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: British1011 on October 02, 2020, 08:19:44 am
Thanks everyone I'm gonna check into sea side and see what they charge...not sure what extra fees ill have shipping from Canada but it's worth a shot. They look like nice thick chassis.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: bmccowan on October 03, 2020, 07:30:18 am
I have had good experience with these two.
https://www.ebay.com/usr/zachmdhunter
https://reverb.com/shop/synapticamps
Modify message
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: darryl on October 04, 2020, 06:44:15 am
I've successfully used the smaller Hammond aluminum chassis for lower-powered amplifiers by attaching flanges to the ends of the chassis. These stiffen the chassis, and are also used to mount the chassis in a headshell. The ( usually toroidal ) power transformer has large diameter washers above and below the chassis to spread the weight across a wider expanse of the chassis.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Bostom on October 04, 2020, 10:47:51 am
+1 on https://www.ebay.com/usr/zachmdhunter
I got a Princeton reverb chassis that was really nice and cheaper than anywhere else.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Leevi on October 05, 2020, 07:46:58 am
https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/amp-chassis-tweed-champ-style-5f1 (https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/amp-chassis-tweed-champ-style-5f1)


https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/tt-chassis-039-fender-style-5f1-champ-long-version.html

/Leevi
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: mresistor on October 05, 2020, 08:26:43 am
Quote
Don't know what I'll do with it.
:laugh:
I used one on my last build, while it is thin, I try hard not to drop them
you can do what I did to thicken it up - lots of paint  :icon_biggrin:

So, you've been studying modern impressionism..   

I was thinkin' to add an extra layer of a little thicker aluminum to the top as a support for the weight of transformers.  Other times I think of taking it to the firing range.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Ed_Chambley on October 05, 2020, 08:33:24 am
OK, I will do it.  I will give up a source on chassis.  Get you a sheet metal folder and find a welder who can run a bead on the corners.  Figure your size and add 20%.


or just buy hoses


https://www.ebay.com/sch/Musical-Instruments-Gear/619/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=gekkon78_2
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: acheld on October 05, 2020, 08:31:52 pm
How'd you do that?   All of those items are from Putin's boys . . . even the Chinese made items.  Go figure.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: sluckey on October 05, 2020, 08:46:36 pm
He searched stuff by seller gekkon78_2 who is based in Russian Federation.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Ed_Chambley on October 16, 2020, 11:41:27 am
Yes, I did know this.  I use the TOR Browser and a couple of different search engines who are not Google controlled.  Don't get me wrong, I love Google (shhh, they see everything, never publicly say you don't trust their search to be objective, let's say.)


No, I am not paranoid.  It is not paranoid when it is true!



Then I search simply by what I am looking for.  This type of search is called a Meta Search and will "see" eBay sellers as individual pages.  Be careful what you search for!
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: shooter on October 16, 2020, 12:17:04 pm
Quote
Be careful what you search for!


 :laugh:
I'm betting even being careful, a TOR search on "blank chassis" would be interesting  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: chaswahl on October 17, 2020, 09:34:26 am
Haha! Sounds like my TDR. I built it on a Hammond 17 x 4 x 3 aluminum chassis. I could literally twist that chassis like a pretzel bare handed. Then I put a 5E3 in the same chassis. Then I put an 18W Marshall in the same chassis. I was pretty stupid back then.

     http://sluckeyamps.com/5e3/sisters_rear.jpg
     
     http://sluckeyamps.com/18w/18w_02.jpg
Apparently you had the sense to add 1/4" or 3/8" to the width of the 5E3 standard cabinet, so that the 17" chassis will fit between the vertical cleats to which the back panels are fastened. I bought a standard 5E3 chassis, thinking I'd use the Hammond 1444-20 chassis (which I also bought), but to do that, I'll have to chop the end off, or do a "section" job to shorten it. There are amps (I think even some original Fenders with large/heavy transformers) that have one or two angle brackets to fasten the PT bolts nearest the cab and farthest from the chassis to the cab itself. Helps to support the weight without unduly stressing the chassis itself. While steel is great, and vintage-correct, it's not nearly as good a conductor, so not as good at shielding amp internals as aluminum.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: sluckey on October 17, 2020, 10:13:27 am
Apparently you had the sense to add 1/4" or 3/8" to the width of the 5E3 standard cabinet, so that the 17" chassis will fit between the vertical cleats to which the back panels are fastened. I bought a standard 5E3 chassis, thinking I'd use the Hammond 1444-20 chassis (which I also bought), but to do that, I'll have to chop the end off, or do a "section" job to shorten it.
I didn't have to modify anything. My 5E3 cabs from mojo (I think) were exactly 17" between cleats so it was a perfect fit. My chassis is fastened to the cab using four screws through the ends of the chassis into the vertical cleats.

If the distance between your cleats is less than 17" you may consider chiseling out a bit of the cleat on each side to provide the needed 17". An oscillating multitool makes this an easy job. Just peel the tolex back out of the way and reglue once you have the needed clearance. If done carefully you'll even have a "shelf" to support the bottom of the chassis.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Ed_Chambley on October 21, 2020, 01:18:55 pm
Apparently you had the sense to add 1/4" or 3/8" to the width of the 5E3 standard cabinet, so that the 17" chassis will fit between the vertical cleats to which the back panels are fastened. I bought a standard 5E3 chassis, thinking I'd use the Hammond 1444-20 chassis (which I also bought), but to do that, I'll have to chop the end off, or do a "section" job to shorten it.
I didn't have to modify anything. My 5E3 cabs from mojo (I think) were exactly 17" between cleats so it was a perfect fit. My chassis is fastened to the cab using four screws through the ends of the chassis into the vertical cleats.

If the distance between your cleats is less than 17" you may consider chiseling out a bit of the cleat on each side to provide the needed 17". An oscillating multitool makes this an easy job. Just peel the tolex back out of the way and reglue once you have the needed clearance. If done carefully you'll even have a "shelf" to support the bottom of the chassis.
You got you cabs from Mike Marsh I believe I remember you telling.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: sluckey on October 21, 2020, 01:25:20 pm
Yes and I believe Marsh was getting them from Mojo at the time.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: Diverted on October 21, 2020, 01:46:14 pm
You could try Synaptic Amps in Maine. He can build a chassis for you for about $50 bucks.

I was buying them from Juicy Amps in Maryland, but he doesn't seem to be taking orders at the moment.
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: joesatch on February 11, 2022, 12:33:30 pm
I just received a Hammond chassis from Mouser a 1444-26. It is absurdly thin, lots of flex,flimsy.  i dont think I'll be using it. I shoulda known
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: acheld on February 11, 2022, 08:43:44 pm
The 12 gauge aluminum chassis from this fellow does not flex at all. 

https://seasidechassisdesign.com

I dropped my 40+ pound 5F6A last month, busted the cab, but the amp itself was untouched . . .
Title: Re: Blank chassis
Post by: echuta13 on February 11, 2022, 10:40:00 pm
I've worked with Hamilton Metalcraft in Pasadena a few times, and I've been pretty happy.  Been a spell since I worked with them, but they were pretty reasonable (plus I bought a fair amount of chassis).  https://hmetal.com/ (https://hmetal.com/)
I ran into them @ NAMM as well a few years back.  They were doing work for M-Audio and some effects pedal companies I think?