Chassis selection

[dragonbat13]

Whats a good size chassis to build a dumble ODS in? I want something to build a head in. Not to big but with enoough room to work. This is going to be my first dumble build.

I would prefer to use a Hammond chassis.

[v00d00blues79]

A hammond chassis would be the last thing I would recommend someone use for anything beyond prototyping an amp. Under the weight of most 50w and higher iron the chassis will not be able to stand up to the weight of the transformers over time. If you are looking to go the cheap chassis route there are a couple of places that you can find good quality aluminium chassis in a heavy enough thickness. www.laserampchassis.com is a good place and they are not that expensive. I'm just trying to let you know that if you use a hammond you are going to experience issues with it flexing, and that is not good when it comes to ground continuity.

Just my .02,
Andy

[Funkalicousgroove]

The size is 19 1/8" wide, 8" deep, 2 1/2" tall.

I wouldn't use anything thinner than .09 aluminum.

You can use a Hammond chassis if you use steel, it's strong enough.

[v00d00blues79]

I apologize, I went with the assumption of Aluminium.


Andy

[Funkalicousgroove]

that is the "Proper" material, but sometimes magic happens in the woodshed!!

[v00d00blues79]

Yessir! The only steel chassis i've ever used was for a 36-watt and that was all pre-cut. All the rest I've either bought a blank and drilled it out myself... steel isn't the best medium for that kind of adventure!


Andy

[heisthl]

For a 1 off, a set of drill bits, a stepper bit, a metal blade in a jig saw and a file or 2 can do the whole job even in steel.

[v00d00blues79]

Oh... I know it _CAN_ be done, but for my money and time its aluminium all the way!


Andy

[dragonbat13]

I would prefer aluminum. I tried the laserampchassis.com link but the website was not up. Is there any other vendors?

[rutledj]

This guy can make you one for roughly $85.

.08 aluminum with inset welded end caps.

http://www.brandexampsandboards.com/

[Fischerman]

FWIW, for my prototype (which I am in the middle of building) I just went the lazy, easy route and got a Bandmaster Reverb chassis from Mojo. I want the loop inside the amp so I needed 4 preamp tubes and this chassis gives you lots of room to work (provided you put the filters in the doghouse...which is I what I did). I used a Unibit to enlarge a few holes and drilled a couple others. It's steel but I'm pretty sure I've read Brandon say that he has used steel chassis and stranded wire and they came out great (maybe it was Gary or the Carol-Ann guy...I can't remember). It's just my first prototype...once I get some experience I'll build one full-out (but it will probably have to have 4 preamp tubes...I really have to have a loop).

[Funkalicousgroove]

I've always used aluminum, but I'm sure steel would be fine.