Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Blooze on March 13, 2026, 12:50:09 pm

Title: IEC inlet spacer plate
Post by: Blooze on March 13, 2026, 12:50:09 pm

On the Gibson clone I built I used a JTM45 aluminum chassis that was pre punched for the IEC power entry. The hole is punched at 27.5 x 23mm, so slightly too big. I went with it at the time and had a little trouble getting the little raised clips to be tall enough to catch, but I’m thinking I really need to swap to a bolt on version. Problem is they are all not tall enough. You still get 1mm gap too and bottom.

What do y’all think of using a 3D printed part like these?

Title: Re: IEC inlet spacer plate
Post by: Lectroid on March 14, 2026, 11:21:28 am

I prefer the bolt-on myself, but I think your mating flange idea should work okay.  :icon_biggrin:

Title: Re: IEC inlet spacer plate
Post by: Blooze on March 14, 2026, 12:04:21 pm

Quote from: Lectroid on March 14, 2026, 11:21:28 am

I prefer the bolt-on myself, but I think your mating flange idea should work okay.  :icon_biggrin:

Me too. This is the first chassis I’ve had with a snap-in. I really just want the hole completely covered when I go to a bolt-on. I don't think the flange needs to be separately bolted to the chassis since the two bolts for the IEC will still be going through plenty of aluminum. Having the plates made with a harder/stiffer plastic would probably help too.

Title: Re: IEC inlet spacer plate
Post by: RoadShow on March 14, 2026, 08:49:57 pm

I've used these several times and like the fuse being incorporated.  As long as you don't get crazy sloppy the hole gets covered.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBW8J8A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBW8J8A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4)

Title: Re: IEC inlet spacer plate
Post by: Blooze on March 14, 2026, 09:08:33 pm

Quote from: RoadShow on March 14, 2026, 08:49:57 pm

I've used these several times and like the fuse being incorporated.  As long as you don't get crazy sloppy the hole gets covered.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBW8J8A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBW8J8A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4)

I’ve used those too. This amp is already made, unfortunately, so I don’t really want to start cutting and filing holes. The snap-in one is in there and relatively solid, but it still moves around more than I’d like and I don’t think I want to trust it long term to not pull out.