Panel mounting on a woode case

[Soulproperty]

Hi,
I just built my first tube amp. I built the K-12M kit just to get my feet wet before beginning a bigger project. I'm about to get started building the housing. I'm planning to build a cherry cabinet for it. I have one question though. . . I would like have a volume knob and input selector switch on the front panel but I'm not quite sure how to mount them on something so thick (either 1/2" or 3/4" cherry). Is there a certain type of pot and rotary switch I should be on the lookout for? Is there some other method?

Any info would be great.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[hkoetz]

Use a router to make a 35 mm hole on the inside leaving about 3 mm wood in place. Them drill the final hole.

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[markgall]

The counterbore from the rear would be my suggestion also. I would and do use a forstner bit or maybe you could do it with a spade bit. Drill the larger hole from the rear first then drill the smaller hole for the shaft of the switch from the front.
Mark

 

[ALBQ]

Mounting on Wood Base

Soulproperty,
Another easy method is to use a dado blade on a table saw to hollow out the panel before gluing the box together. I have found this is a lot easier than using a router - especially when working with hardwoods such as oak. See picture - hollowed out both the front and rear panels. Only took a few passes as just set the rip fence and alternate the work piece.
Cheers - ALBQ

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[Soulproperty]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll give the router a try. I don't have a table saw at the moment so it'll have to do.

Best,
Chris

 

[CopyofAudiófilo]

I am planning to mount an amplifier on wood but I'm not sure about its safety. Are there some extra precautions that need to be taken when wood is used? Can everything (amplifier,transformer and heatsink) be mounted on wood? Can it burst into flames after long term use? I don't want to put my house in danger just because I like wood!! Thanks.

 

[smbrown]

I built a Stereo SE 45 amp entierly on a wood chassie, no problems at all and it looks great.

 

[astouffer]

Can everything (amplifier,transformer and heatsink) be mounted on wood? Can it burst into flames after long term use? I don't want to put my house in danger just because I like wood!! Thanks.

Ever read "Fahrenheit 451"

 

[Kofi Annan]

I find that Forstner bits work wonders for mounting pots and switches to thick wood enclosures. Just be sure to leave enough meat to safely mount the component.

Kofi

 

[JoshK]

I second Kofi's suggestion for the forstner bit, although many suggestions here are good ones. In fact, I just did this very thing tonight with my Aikido preamp chassis.

 

[Poindexter]

Whut they said.  I use a forstner to inlet both the inside and outside of the same component.  If so, do the outside first.  If you have to sneak up on the depth on the inside to get the right mounting thickness, you'll schmecker the edge of the hole a little easing the bit in.  Inside is not the show surface, so who cares?

On a related note; with the volume control, you now have to actively ground the frame (and shaft, and knob) of the thing, or else it'll sing to you when you touch it.  A charmingly amateur touch, but embarassing.

Aloha,

Poinz

 

[monkeywrenching]

I mounted my switches and pot to a piece of aluminum angle. I then drilled a pilot hole , say 1/16 so that the forstner bits both inner and outer are square to each other on the front panel. After getting the depth I needed for the switches, I opened up the pilot hole to the shaft sizes. I then screwed the pot/switch assy. to the backside of the front panel and grounded it .
Dan