Cover plates....worth it?

[markusw]

Sorry if this was discussed before but I couldn't find anything on this topic.
As the subjects says: are cover (top, or bottom in my case ) plates worth it?

Regards,

Markus

[tubedogsmith]

If you're talking about a chassis shield plate I'd say you need something. Copper shielding tape inside the headbox works fine too.

[markusw]

If you're talking about a chassis shield plate I'd say you need something. Copper shielding tape inside the headbox works fine too.

Thanks!
Yup, a plate to "close" the chassis and to shield the interior is what I meant.

[JimiB]

I use flashing from the hardware store - cut to size with snips and stapled in

[heisthl]

My fav is tooling aluminum held in place with contact cement. Comes in 36 x 12" rolls at a hobby shop.

[markusw]

Thanks a lot for your help! I like the idea of using some foil for shielding.

My fav is tooling aluminum held in place with contact cement. Comes in 36 x 12" rolls at a hobby shop.

Ah, I've seen this in hobby shops. How thick is the one you're using?

[heisthl]

.005

[scotto]

Does aluminum screen work satisfactorily?

[heisthl]

Screen is hard to get it so it stays in place, doesn't fray and doesn't screw itself up when you take the chassis back out. Especially colorful when it frays over the power switch.

[M Fowler]

I use aluminum sheeting. Went to Home Depot to get a small roll aluminum roof flashing to use and noticed they have a roll of aluminum gutter screen that is better quality than using a screen, might try that.

I have not tried the tape yet. I find that if I make and use a bottom cover sheet I get good shielding but I will try the gutter screen and see if it really quiets the amp down. Except for shipping costs the bud or hammond bottom cover is the ticket to go with. After you price out all that we buy what are we saving and still have to make it our selves. Now I am a do it myselfer type of guy but I wonder sometimes.

Mark

[markusw]

.005

Thanks!
Will give it a try. We have a roll of aluminium in our lab that we use to pack things for autoclaving. Should be the right thickness.

[scotto]

I went with stapled in aluminum screen. I yanked out all of the loose pubes before putting it in to try and avoid the colorful light show mentioned by Heisthl. That said, I still get noise from the amp when my Treo (on my hip) recieves an email... would a solid sheet would be better? I'm not cellphone wavelength literate vs. screen size. Any RF geeks out there?

[M Fowler]

Solid sheet of aluminum for bottom plate and the screen is attached to the inside of the head cab on top and sides.

Mark

[Funkalicousgroove]

I have a devils advocate point:

Aluminum offers almost nothing in the way of shielding, and is impervious to magnetism Unless it is coated with chem film.

[M Fowler]

Funk

What do you use then? I have had good results with the aluminum; however, that is all I have used since that what the guys on this forum taught me. So I blame them. I have not sat down and tried to use anything else like you stated for the correct properties.

Mark