cutting large rectangles out of steel chassis.

[wsaraceni]

i have a fender blues jr chassis. currently the holes for the tubes are way too big for a bunch of 9 pin sockets. i was thinking of cutting a large rectangle out and then pop riveting in a plate that goes over it with the new sockets mounted on it but i'd like to keep it somewhat clean looking.

any suggestions?

[img764]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/ ... fdf535.jpg[/img]

[sliberty]

Weber (and maybe others) make tube socket "adapters" that allow you to mount a 9 pin socket in an octal socket hole (if that is whatr those are).

[Phil_S]

This is just my take on the problem. I think cutting a rectangle that big is going to challenging and I don't think it will look very good when you are done with it. Structurally, I think it will be weak. I wouldn't do that.

You say this is a Blues Jr? Someone must have already drilled out what was there. A BJ has 5 noval tubes. Assuming it's been drilled for octal tubes, I think there are two better options.

One is to simply rivet or screw a plate on the inside and drill it for noval sockets -- one big strip or individual covers. The other is to buy 5 specially designed plates to convert octal holes for noval sockets.

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Chass ... over-plate
http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Chass ... et-adapter

[M Fowler]

The neatest would be the individual plates but the cheapest would be one long rectangle plate bolted in and then drill for each 9 pin socket.

[The New Steve H]

If you're really determined, you can get a piece of 1/8" aluminum and attach it to the interior using six short bolts. It will be very rigid, and you can drill the new socket holes through it. It will look better than a crappy piece of steel on the outside.

[Milkmansound]

You say this is a Blues Jr? Someone must have already drilled out what was there. A BJ has 5 noval tubes. Assuming it's been drilled for octal tubes, I think there are two better options.

that looks about right for the Blues Jr. because those are probably cutouts for the PCB mounted tube sockets which poke through the chassis

[Phil_S]

You say this is a Blues Jr? Someone must have already drilled out what was there. A BJ has 5 noval tubes. Assuming it's been drilled for octal tubes, I think there are two better options.

that looks about right for the Blues Jr. because those are probably cutouts for the PCB mounted tube sockets which poke through the chassis

Oh yuk! I'm so used to homebrew, it didn't cross my mind.

If that were my chassis, I'd put a couple of octal power tubes + 3 6SN7 and/or 6SL7 and be done with it. I don't look for complicated if I can avoid it.

I think Steve is on to something with the 1/8" aluminum. If you are careful, you can drill it before you mount it and that will make it a little easier.

[wsaraceni]

thanks guys. i'll try to see if i can get something like this to cover it up. I think that may be the easiest.

the issues i had here was that the blues jr PCB sockets are bigger than the standard socket holes. and the screw holes on new sockets done line up nicely. i drilled them out to add the octal sockets, but then decided to go a different route.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051

[Cantplay]

http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.p ... 2&hit_cat=

John

[jon]

Bill:

Bring the chassis to me I will make you a circuit board from 1/8" g10 that will have noval sockets mounted to it just as fender did.

I have used this approach before with great success. PM me

[wsaraceni]

jon. thats not a bad idea at all. maybe the best bet yet. i'll pm you shortly

[sixstringer]

I've used both the Weber and Mojo adapter plates. The Webers are much nicer looking with a good looking finish. The Mojo plates look home made, with grinder marks. Both do the job.

[Kagliostro]

If you're really determined, you can get a piece of 1/8" aluminum and attach it to the interior using six short bolts. It will be very rigid, and you can drill the new socket holes through it. It will look better than a crappy piece of steel on the outside.

+ 1 for this solution

K

[husky]

Bill:

Bring the chassis to me I will make you a circuit board from 1/8" g10 that will have noval sockets mounted to it just as fender did.

I have used this approach before with great success. PM me

Yes I do this with my MITS board maker as well and will also use Double sided Solder flow coated PCB material as a shield. If people give me Eagle files or DXF. Definitely the easiest solution.