Folding chassis

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StrummersOfThunder
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Folding chassis

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Anyone have any experience with DIY folding of chassis?
Wondering if I can get an aluminium sheet/cookie sheet from the op shop and rig up some sort of folding aparatus.
I can get a hammond enclosure from RS but itll be around $50 and id still need to chop it down a little and re-fold one end of it.

Otherwise anyone got something laying around?
Needs to be about 35-40cm x 5-8cm x 11cm ...ish

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by H671 »

A simple way is to get 2 pieces of angle iron long enough to accomodate your longest bend plus some extra length to allow them to bolted together, back to back forming a "T" shape looking end on. You clamp the metal between then hold a block of wood against the metal then gradually hammer the block against the protruding metal until you get to the angle that you want.
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Re: Folding chassis

Post by Bg »

I've folded a couple of chassis with basic folder made from wood and hinges.... so yeah its possible even without angle iron (that would be better of course)
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by calling card »

Yeah what he said ^^. Or you could buy something like this http://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/Products/W ... lder-915mm
Myself I use a 20 ton brake type of press I built, picture a hydraulic ram with a knife shaped blade pressing between a V shaped anvil. I don't do outwork, in a cold sweat with shakey hands doing the things I do as it is.
Even with the gear I still had to hammer some edges over with a steel plate on one side - hammer the other.
Find a friendly sheet metal shop or buy their folders off them :D
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Re: Folding chassis

Post by Anvil Amps Alan »

Try asking the Engineering teacher at your local high School.
They are generally quite accommodating and will often let you use their gear.
What kind of chassis are you making?
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Re: Folding chassis

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Hmm thanks guys. Good sugestions. Might try the wood hing approach as I have that laying around. Going with aluminium so should be a bit more yielding than steel.

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by Bg »

yep, it was pretty easy to bend on mine. couple of decent hinges and two lengths of 2x3 and away you go.

Jaycar do small sheets of ali, probably only about 300 x 300 though.

I picked up a sheet on trademe for about 30 bucks, about 1m x 1m
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Look out bender...there's a new bender in town.
$2.50 worth of op shop metal parts and some scrap wood from the neighbor
May just need to sink in the hinges a fraction more.
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Re: Folding chassis

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Threw it together in a hurry before heading off to work, but just realised I may aswell spread the hinges right out to the end. That was stupid.

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by bender »

Nice!

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by Bg »

Yup that's the job :)
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by Slowy »

Not really on point but I saw a photo yesterday of a valve amp built into an upturned oven roasting dish. It looked very cool but wouldn't mount into a cabinet easily.
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Re: Folding chassis

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Slowy wrote:Not really on point but I saw a photo yesterday of a valve amp built into an upturned oven roasting dish. It looked very cool but wouldn't mount into a cabinet easily.
Oh yeh I saw those too. Roast dinner anyone?

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Re: Folding chassis

Post by tubeswell »

You might find the hinges have to be a heck of a lot stronger than that. There's a ton of force happening at the bend.

I mucked around with home-made benders for a while but eventually went and bought a decent folding brake from an engineering trade wholesaler in Chch. (Topmaq)

Otherwise, if you have a solid idea of the dimensions go to a sheetmetal wholesaler/fabricator (like Ulrich Aluminium) and get them to do it for you.
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Re: Folding chassis

Post by StrummersOfThunder »

Well ill find out tomorrow. Worst case scenario ive blown out two 50 cent hinges from the op shop.
Im using a caterers oven tray so not too heavy duty ...not like 4mm stainless steel or anything.

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