Mounting pots off chassis?

[Phil_S]

I'm about to re-purpose a chassis. It was either an organ or a console model something or other. The chassis depth is not adequate (1 1/8" inside) to accommodate the pots unless I turn them sideways, in which case they will require more horizontal space and I think I could run into some lead dress issues. The width is 12". I am thinking I want to attach some sort of plate and mount the pots to it. I'm not quite sure how to go about doing this and am having difficulty visualizing what could or should be done.

I am wondering, does such a plate need to be metal? Can it be wood? Plexiglass?

What am I to look out for with the leads flying up from the chassis?

I admit that I am not fond of drilling that face of the chassis as it will be a bit of a challenge, and I kinda like it the way it is, no holes in it. OK, I'm willing to run a couple of screws into it if I have to.

Initially, I thought I might be able to tuck in an AX84 California Dreamer, but I have concluded it is too tight and too challenging for PTP. I will probably remove that one noval socket I added near the PT (shield base), and that leaves me 3 novals and 2 octals. It came with nice tubes (Tung Sol 6V6's and Mullard EL84's). I think the EL84's get saved. This will be a 3 pre, 2 power tube amp.

You may think it odd that I don't have a particular project in mind. It's been my bent to let the project lead me in a direction depending on what I've got at hand. I'm leaning towards a "TMB" Tremolux for this one, but am open to other 3/2 tube combinations. If you have any to offer, I'm all ears. The PT is about 325-0-325. The OT is 8K.

I"m not stuck on the 6V6's and have got other good stuff on the bone pile, including a dozen el cheapo Russian 6L6 wannabes, I forget the number, maybe 6p3s or something like that. I'd prefer to keep the OT in place, though. The choke can stay or go.

I'd be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction -- or any direction.

Thanks.

Phil

[tubeswell]

To avoid radiowave interference, you could use one of those aluminum project boxes to mount the pots in, and use shielded cable to run the signal leads to the box. Ground the box with one ground point only

[sliberty]

Both HiWatt and Orange (Marshall also???) made PA heads with full frontal face plates. Many if not all of the pots were mounted outside of the chassis on the middle and upper regions of the large faceplate. I am not sure if they did anything special about the wiring used, but I believe that the faceplates were metal, and connected to the chassis, thus providing grounding to the chassis through the usual mechanical connection.

[overtone]

following up on sliberty's post:
here is a quick sectional sketch of the inside of a 70s Greg Burman PA amp (UK Handmade similar to the Hiwatt, Orange etc).
The lower chassis only has a hole or two for cable entry / exit. The pots are all hidden inside a dog house bolted to the full-height front plate. The cables are all screened. Maybe of some help?
Best, tony

[Phil_S]

Doghouse! Great idea! Not quite sure how I'll actually build it, but I always like a good project. Thanks, everyone.

Phil