Hello guys
Anyone here who could recommend a source of sturdy tube amp chassis in western Europe?
I have gathered most components for a project I have in mind, a stereo GU50 parallel SE amplifier
The mains transformer is heavy as hell, like 4kg or something, and the two toroid output transformers are also near 2kg each... add the rest, and I'm not sure a standard aluminum chassis would do
Any recommandations welcome 🙂
Anyone here who could recommend a source of sturdy tube amp chassis in western Europe?
I have gathered most components for a project I have in mind, a stereo GU50 parallel SE amplifier
The mains transformer is heavy as hell, like 4kg or something, and the two toroid output transformers are also near 2kg each... add the rest, and I'm not sure a standard aluminum chassis would do
Any recommandations welcome 🙂
I made this for my DG300B amp way back. Those transformers were pretty heavy too. I seem to recall that the completed amp weighed 17 kg.
The sides are made from 1/8" (3.2 mm) architectural aluminum U-channel, 3" (76.2 mm) tall. The top is 1/8" (3.2 mm) aluminum sheet. The bottom is a piece of aluminum perforated plate held with a piece of aluminum flat bar attached to the inside of the U. The front is 3/8" (10 mm) thick aluminum.
I made the chassis using a mitre saw and a drill press. No fancy tools. This was made possible in part because I ordered the materials with the dimensions I needed. For example, the front panel is simply a piece of 3/8" aluminum flat bar of the appropriate width (probably 3.5"). That's pretty easy to cut to length on a mitre saw with a non-ferrous metal cutting blade.
I sanded the chassis and applied primer and then matte black spray paint. It turned out pretty good, I think.
Anyway. My point is: If you have a local source for metal bits, it's not all that hard to make a chassis. The biggest challenge is to find someone willing to sell you the materials without having to buy a full sheet or length of something. I was fortunate to have Online Metals in my backyard.
Tom
The sides are made from 1/8" (3.2 mm) architectural aluminum U-channel, 3" (76.2 mm) tall. The top is 1/8" (3.2 mm) aluminum sheet. The bottom is a piece of aluminum perforated plate held with a piece of aluminum flat bar attached to the inside of the U. The front is 3/8" (10 mm) thick aluminum.
I made the chassis using a mitre saw and a drill press. No fancy tools. This was made possible in part because I ordered the materials with the dimensions I needed. For example, the front panel is simply a piece of 3/8" aluminum flat bar of the appropriate width (probably 3.5"). That's pretty easy to cut to length on a mitre saw with a non-ferrous metal cutting blade.
I sanded the chassis and applied primer and then matte black spray paint. It turned out pretty good, I think.
Anyway. My point is: If you have a local source for metal bits, it's not all that hard to make a chassis. The biggest challenge is to find someone willing to sell you the materials without having to buy a full sheet or length of something. I was fortunate to have Online Metals in my backyard.
Tom
If you can work with steel, that is much stronger for the top plate than aluminum. Use at least 3mm or thicker.
3 mm steel would be a royal pain to machine, though. Another thought would be to use aluminum angle (or small U-channel) under the heavy components to add stiffness. I had no issues with flexing of the top plate in my chassis, but it's also fairly narrow. I forget the exact width, but I think it was around 25-30 cm.
Tom
Tom
I plan to use some PFC caps for the PSU and they are heavy too, and large... so I will need easily 50cm by 30cm, and it will end up being a monster
Working with steel or alu would not be an issue but I guess I would have to search for a supplier as the local one doesn't want to make small pieces, not interested... I will have to look farther or buy online
As I'm pretty busy in life I would rather buy the chassis than make it myself... I have to find the best compromise between family time, work, and working in the garage...
I could not find a shop that does hifi chassis with a quick search, I though there were maybe some people here who are buying this stuff online? The sad thing is I see mostly US shops online...
Working with steel or alu would not be an issue but I guess I would have to search for a supplier as the local one doesn't want to make small pieces, not interested... I will have to look farther or buy online
As I'm pretty busy in life I would rather buy the chassis than make it myself... I have to find the best compromise between family time, work, and working in the garage...
I could not find a shop that does hifi chassis with a quick search, I though there were maybe some people here who are buying this stuff online? The sad thing is I see mostly US shops online...
