well I'm not sure if this is true for all cases most projects I've come across uses copper plates. Is there a technical reason for this?
thank you. 🙂
thank you. 🙂
I have seen several old amplifiers that appear to have a copper chassis, but it turned out to be copper plated steel. Easy to find with a magnet.
In theory copper has a higher electrical conductivity than steel or aluminum, it can be soldered, and does not conduct magnetic fields. Are these advantages worth the substantial extra cost? That is up to the designer.
And, yes it looks cool.
In theory copper has a higher electrical conductivity than steel or aluminum, it can be soldered, and does not conduct magnetic fields. Are these advantages worth the substantial extra cost? That is up to the designer.
And, yes it looks cool.
It's also easy to drill, cut, and bend. Polishing out scratches is also easy. However, Morgan Jones warns about using Cu and Al together in "Building Valve Amplifiers". If the two touch, it can cause corrosion (electrolisys, I beleive?)
I 'spose one thing to consider is the need for some type of clear coating to keep it from turning brown and then green. Clear coatings yellow with heat as well.
poobah said:
RS sells a clear lacquer that doesn't yellow (at least that's what the website says 🙂)
jaymanaa said:
In my experience copper is one of the nastiest materials to drill and certainly the worst to tap. It's too soft. Looks great though.
I used copper on my Aikido line stage because I ended up with a large piece from my fathers garage after he passed away. I wish that he could have seen the effort that I put into the project trying to make it half as good as he could have with his eyes closed.
It was my tribute to a great machinest and father. I never did get around to making a proper copper VC knob. Everytime I use it I think of him.
It was my tribute to a great machinest and father. I never did get around to making a proper copper VC knob. Everytime I use it I think of him.
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tubelab.com said:
jaymanaa said:
Some manufacturers of loudspeakers use copper plated aluminum voice coil wire, but I suppose there's a special process to get that done ... They propagate it increases conductivity....
There are also transparent powdercoating methods (that wont turn yellow) don't know if they're suitable to put on copper though.
burnedfingers said:
Very nice amp, and a great way to remember your father. My dad was TV repairman back in the days of tubes. I have one of his Simpson 260s, which brings back fond memories every time I use it.
🙂
Home page of my site has a picture of an amplifier product I used to make.. Full copper chassis with powder coat finish, I've not seen any of them lately, but not having received any complaints I have to assume the finish has held up well. They were hideously expensive to make and not that profitable either.. 
Copper is very difficult to drill and punch as it deforms so easily, and because it is soft it clogs bits quite easily. IMO nothing scratches more easily either. AND imperfections are more visible than anything else I have worked with.
It is attractive, and imo for whatever reason amplifiers built on copper or aluminum chassis seem to sound slightly better than the same thing on steel.. IMHO.
Copper is very difficult to drill and punch as it deforms so easily, and because it is soft it clogs bits quite easily. IMO nothing scratches more easily either. AND imperfections are more visible than anything else I have worked with.
It is attractive, and imo for whatever reason amplifiers built on copper or aluminum chassis seem to sound slightly better than the same thing on steel.. IMHO.
Gimme copper for looks, wood for sound! No eddy currents and other thingies giving a closed-up sound... I've realised I'm pretty alternative here as most people don't see any problems in metal as long as it's non-magnetic.
Simon
Simon
pretty alternative? I know a guy who owns "art speak" a modding company, he puts cork mats in amps(pieces of cork floor tiles) against the metal plating.
He also invented "The Mat" a round slice of very thin dampening rubber to put on top of a cd (disc) or dvd, it would give better sound and vision.....
He also sticks pieces of some kind of foam on top of IC's or op-amps...
Maybe this guy is just insane, but he has lots of "believers"....
He also invented "The Mat" a round slice of very thin dampening rubber to put on top of a cd (disc) or dvd, it would give better sound and vision.....
He also sticks pieces of some kind of foam on top of IC's or op-amps...
Maybe this guy is just insane, but he has lots of "believers"....
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