Modifying an AO-43 chassis

[dude]

I was going to ask this question in a post about the narrow width of an AO-29.
What if one pops the rivets on an AO-43, the clean edge side, bend the chassis edge flat making it about 2” wider and attach some sheet metal to make the chassis about 2” wider.  That AO-43, IMO, is a nice chassis but just too narrow, 2 more inches on the opposite side of the tubes would make it more useful for a lot of projects.
Any comments...?

[vampwizzard]

Sounds like more than 50 bucks worth of work.. which can get me an virgin aluminum chassis. Sounds like its plausible though.

[drew]

I'm no metal worker, but it seems to me it would be difficult for your average guy-in-garage-with-hand-tools to un-bend that bend and get it all perfectly flat and straight.
Easier to make a skinnier circuit board.

[vampwizzard]

FWIW on my ao-29 in its own chassis build I stood the PCB boards up vertically like they did on the original amp. Things fit alright.

[dude]

Chassis is only 2” in height, vertical bd. Would be very narrow. I did a hat on a AO-35, worked out well too.
All one needs is a block of hard wood, and a 16 oz hammer. Pop the rivets, only two, bend the side down then on a metal or concrete surface put the block on the bent seam, pound it down flat, that metal isn’t that thick. That seam will come out almost unnoticeable. Fitting the side back is easy, any hardware store has that same gauge, 16” x 20” for $10. Can be cut with good tin snips, and grind the edges on a wheel, bend taps over and rivet to chassis, half hour in my shop. Also, can use a razor knife, score both sides several times, it will break after a few bends by hand if you make the cuts deep enough on both sides.
Remember this chassis has the PT cut out, sockets cut, basically ready for a conversation, say a Deluxe Reverb.  I’ve cut out the 9 pin holes, added a plate for 6v6s, that takes more time then the enlargement. But you can use the rectifier socket, just drill another, use SS, be creative.
I’m going to do this when when l finish a cabinet job first and will take pics and post them.

[bmccowan]

I've built two amps from AO-43 iron. I am typically a re-user of parts and have built amps in other Hammond chasses. But for the 43, I'm in the "buy a new chassis" camp. A standard chassis can be easily modified, and there are at least two good USA chassis makers on ebay who will customize their products for a few extra bucks. The project described sounds like a struggle. But if it's a path you will enjoy - go for it. I just know I would get partway into it and think, "WTF was I thinking?"

[dude]

I just know I would get partway into it and think, "WTF was I thinking?"

Stuff this into an AO-43, wasn't too bad but another 2" sure would have helped, like I said for me 30 mins.

[bmccowan]

Nicely done!

[imgumby001]

But how does it sound?

[dude]

But how does it sound?

Like a Plexi 6V6, model 1987, just like it's suppose to sound.