Amp sheets

[petemoore]

some of the old stereo amps have big enough sheets of sturdy metal that can be fabricated into the top and sides of a box.
 I cut a shape that can be bent to form top and sides of a custom shape box. I use a cold chisels corners to dent the bend lines, using hard even hammering strokes, leaving evenly spaced triangular dents along the bend lines...if you put the chisel flat on the line...it'll just bounce, I dig the corner in slightly by holding the chisel at slightly off 90 degree angle from the piece, smack, then rock the chisel slightly off 90 the other way and smack again. index the chisel and repeat till you've made your way around the bend lines...works good as anything I've tried...if you could striaght edge/score deeply somehow the appearance of the top becomes less artsy.
 Then I wrap the sides in wood...looks real good, the Mil. thickness of the piece I used should withstand stompswitching on N/P.
 Makes a very fine looking, sturdy, low profile, custom shape enclosure.
 I use the wood sides to drill into and fasten a bottom plate.
 Just make a frame, leave a little tolerance, then screw the top/sides piece right tothat. You could use molding pieces and compound chopsaw to bring the wood slightly over the top piece, hiding the bends like a picture frame.
 People remark favorably on the appearance of theses boxes. I like them very much.
 I like low sides. I have trouble 'getting to' some of the more compressed Raco boxed circuits.
 A little forethough goes a long way, when designing enclosures and circuit placement.
 I have another one made from solid 3/4 oak, the router went to town and recessed the knobs and jacks so the threads would reach, it get favorable appearance comments also. For the cct's I buiild shielding boxes around the boards from copper sheet, but also insulated using a urethane sheath. This one is 'less' moddable as a result. I should have cut thin amp sheeting for an inside shieling for wall to wall shielding.

[petemoore]

The thread "unusual enclosures"...whooops