Source for cheap chassis?

[minestaken]

For those of you that build frequently, have you found a source for a cheap chassis? I'm looking at my next project and see (no doubt well built!) 5e3 chassis' just south of $100. Even blank chassis are $50-$60. Hammond

Anyone bend & drill chassis? Wondering if it's worth the expense to buy the brake.

OTOH, hammond has some generic project boxes:

Hammond 1441-16 Heavy Duty Chassis 10" x 6" x 2"

Hammond 1441-16 Heavy Duty Chassis 10" x 6" x 2"Perfect for building your own audio amplifier and preamp projects, this heavy-duty chassis features spot welded, 20 gauge steel construction and is finished in super durable ASA 61 gray baked enamel.Specifications: • Dimensions: 10" W x 6" D x 2" H.

www.parts-express.com

For now, i'm interested in a head-style construction methods w/ tubes mounted on top (ala marshall head).

 

[schmee]

There were 5E3 chassis at $39 not that long ago. Nothing out there cheap? For $50 or so there's no way I would try to make a chassis...

 

[corliss1]

The price of steel and aluminum, along with many things, went nuts. The prices you mention are about what I'm expecting to pay at this point.

 

[schmee]

The Zachmanhunter one with faceplate on Ebay is probably worth $75 shipped. Heck $20+ of that is probably shipping. But you could ask him for just the chassis without faceplate. Might be 1/2 to 2/3 price.

5E3 Style Steel chassis and Stainless engraved(Black ink) face plate | eBay

The chassis is "paint grip" galvanized. They are based on the Mojo version. We have most of these with a "brushed" dull finish as its real hard to see the engraved art in black with polished plates.

www.ebay.com

 

[minestaken]

Thanks for the pointers - yah, i guess I'm looking to cut costs where it can make a difference. If paying the $70-$100 more the covers the amount of frustration, cutting, and potential blood letting, it's money well spent.

Ah, and thanks for ebay links. I didn't really think to look there!

 

[Liriodendron]

I tend to buy blank chassis and drill everything myself. I used to use a guy that also had punches for popular z-mount transformers, and that was worthwhile. I also have a punch and die to put in square holes for IEC power plugs.

I thought about buying a brake at one time, but you need pretty good one to do anything worthwhile, and you also need a way to cut straight lines - a nibbler and a guide will do, but hard to justify unless you build a lot of chassis'.

If you want the exact dimensions of a 5E3 chassis, you aren't going to find one from Hammond. You can certainly fit a 5E3 amp in some of their chassis', but it won't look like a 5E3. If you can get past the idea a 5E3 has to look like the one Fender made, it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[printer2]

Have two pieces of angle iron in a vice and bending the galvanized sheet. If the chassis is longer you can move in over to clamp it securely, or use C clamps to squeeze the angle iron together.

Doing a bit of bend at a time and you can get some pretty good results.

With some planning you can have ends that fold and either riveted or spot welded together. The above was too short to do. A small chassis that I used separate pieces to make the ends.

 

[King Fan]

By all means if you can make one that's cool. If not, IME, zachmdhunter is legit, not some fleabay popup tent.

 

[Peegoo]

@minestaken

Can you smell what I'm cookin'?

800 g Standard Bread Tin ⋆ American Pan IE

⋆

www.americanpan.com

 

[2L man]

I have made many chassis using aluminium "cable channel" which is used for electric installation in offices and workspaces which must be versatile. Occasionally I have found from trash bins when such workspaces are renovated. When buying a price for one chassis comes quite cheap but I have had to buy it 10Ft length ~$60.

This smaller has exactly same dimensions the Tweeds chassis has. Often there is a smaller profile on bottom which must be cut away. For drilling holes a wooden post between top and bottom lips increase its stiffness. Aluminium colored obviously has oxide layer which act as an isolation and it need some grinding to remove for the two "grounding lugs" I always install.

 

[Michael Smith]

On his most recent YT video "Uncle Doug" showed a brake that he made for forming chassis. He used aluminum for the chassis, much easier to work with and drill with a step bit.

 

[radiocaster]

Anyone bend & drill chassis? Wondering if it's worth the expense to buy the brake.

Bend a chassis, no, but I've drilled.

For tubes and caps, I prefer punches. I don't want a stepped bit, I don't see any point in using power tools and take the chance of messing up a whole chassis when it's easier to use a punch, although you do have to buy a different one for each size you need and it costs more.

 

[dan40]

These are not exactly cheap but they are another option that I recently found when browsing around. I purchased the smaller chassis and it is very well made. It looks like this seller is just starting out so hopefully he will add more options in the future.

Items for sale by joabis3252 | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from joabis3252!

www.ebay.com

 

[KPAE]

By all means if you can make one that's cool. If not, IME, zachmdhunter is legit, not some fleabay popup tent.

Zachmdhunter is a great supplier, his chassis are high quality and the prices very reasonable. Great communication and quick response.

 

[plexi69]

There used to be a builder of champ clones in WA state that used metal baking pans for his chassis, they actually worked great- quiet with no noise issues and looked okay. Definitely low cost.