New Build - Looking for Chassis / Cabinet Attach Advice

[Super_Reverb]

Got a new build in the works and am looking for a better way to mount chassis to cabinet. I am building a Rocket clone head/cabinet.

What's your favorite method?


thanks,

rob

[M Fowler]

I like it best when I can use bolts through the rubber feet to secure the chassis to the cabinet but not all chassis are made the same.

Mark

[M Fowler]

double post?

[RJ Guitars]

I use the method that Mark Mentions and it was worked well for me.

enjoy,

rj

[sliberty]

Sometimes a chassis has cage nuts on lips either turned in or turned out. In those cases, I always try to use the cage nuts as they are very solid. So I would try to put bolts with large washers through the bottom of the cab into the cage nuts, and then I place the feet seperately. If I have feet that can handle the bolts that mate the cage nuts, then I combine the two and only need 4 holes total in the cabinet.

If there are no cage nuts, another approach is to put a bottom plate onto the chassis (needed for some higher gain amps anyway to deal with squeeling, but not critical on a Rocket), and install rivnuts into the bottom plate. Then, you can again sperately deal with the bolts and the feet. A cheap workable RivNut tool can be gotten from eBay vendors.

In order to drill the cabinet holes, I use right angle drill from the inside of the cab (sometimes even an attachment for my Dremel). This is just a pilot hole. Then I drill an oversized hole through from the outside. By using an oversized hole, you have some play in the positioning, and accuracy is less of an issue. This is why the large washer is used as well - it provides extra support so the wood won't cave in, and it hides the larger-than-needed hole.

[Super_Reverb]

Thanks for the info. I have used the described method in the past and it works fine.

I guess I was looking some something along the lines of cage nuts. (did not know the name of these things) My classic 30 uses this approach and it's a good thing, because I have had to repair it about 4-5 times and also felt obligated to get inside and make some tweeks to setup the amp for the right tone.

Thanks for the tips: I am going to look into rivnuts or cagenuts for a mounting solution.


cheers,

rob

[RJ Guitars]

Yeah we are a little spoiled with all the options these days. I use threaded inserts and can select the screw size I prefer. Cage nuts offer a similar option although i don't have the tool to cut the square holes so I don't use them.

Anybody who has worked on an old Fender amp can tell you about the joy of trying to reach into the far corner inside the cabinet to hold the nut still while you unthread the chassis mounting screws. They were not even kind enough to secure the nut from turning.

Didn't the original Trainwreck amps use a sheet metal screw through the cabinet into the chassis lips?

rj

[M Fowler]

If I am using rj's Dumble sized chassis which doesn't have a premade mounting sytem then I use the attached threaded units from my local True Value store.

Mark

[ChrisM]

Hey Mark where do you get those mounting nut things?

[FunkyE9th]

I've used this nut riveter with good results... http://www.harborfreight.com/45-piece-t ... -1210.html

I was also thinking of trying this one out, but never got to it.... http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/116/3200/=alw4em

[statorvane]

I too use the same mounting to secure both the amplifier chassis and feet. However, I've been using the nylon locking type nuts to secure the amplifier chassis. Here's a picture - kind of small, but you may be able to see the locking nut at the right side of the chassis.

[img768]http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/ ... 0_0186.jpg[/img]

Here's an enlarged photo of a nylon locking nut. These things do not loosen, and are available at any hardware or home improvement megastore.

[img1993]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ck_Nut.png[/img]

If your chassis ears turn into the chassis instead of flaring out, you will pretty much need to use some sort of captive nut. If you want to use the nylon locking nuts, you need to ensure there is a little extra room inside the chassis to be able to secure the nut while tightening the bolt from beneath the chassis.