I'm thinking to add the acrylic dust cover to my tube amp.
The amp is of "classic" design (with tubes and tranformers on top of the chassis) and cleaning it pisses me off more and more every week.
Fortunately, the cover itself can be made fairly inexpensively by the local company.
There are different ways to attach it to the chassis. I want it to be completely removable (not hinged). One can, of course, just slap the cover on top of (or around) the amp and hope it'll stay there regardless of cats and kids.
But are there some types of holders that can keep the cover from sliding? Some U-shaped things that can be permanently attached to the chassis and with slots wide enough to accept the acrylic sheet of 3-4 mm thickness?
Any other ideas are welcome too!
The amp is of "classic" design (with tubes and tranformers on top of the chassis) and cleaning it pisses me off more and more every week.
Fortunately, the cover itself can be made fairly inexpensively by the local company.
There are different ways to attach it to the chassis. I want it to be completely removable (not hinged). One can, of course, just slap the cover on top of (or around) the amp and hope it'll stay there regardless of cats and kids.
But are there some types of holders that can keep the cover from sliding? Some U-shaped things that can be permanently attached to the chassis and with slots wide enough to accept the acrylic sheet of 3-4 mm thickness?
Any other ideas are welcome too!
How about a cover just large enough to drop over the chassis, with cutouts on the bottom edge
to clear switches, cables, wires, etc? Sized about 1" larger inside than the chassis for each dimension.
Have a big handle on top of the cover. Perhaps some soft bumpers on the inside corners of the cover,
which could be as simple as stick-on rubber feet.
to clear switches, cables, wires, etc? Sized about 1" larger inside than the chassis for each dimension.
Have a big handle on top of the cover. Perhaps some soft bumpers on the inside corners of the cover,
which could be as simple as stick-on rubber feet.
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That'll be plan B, thank you.
I'd prefer the cover to be as small as possible to not occupy a lot of space when it's off the amp.
I'd prefer the cover to be as small as possible to not occupy a lot of space when it's off the amp.
You just need some angled brackets on each corner. Cover fits inside and doesn't move. The only problem is it can scratch the outside upon inserting / removing , but perhaps a felt or cloth glued to the brackets could work.
I have done it this way in a home-made case for a disco moving head.
I have done it this way in a home-made case for a disco moving head.
TG:
I had this acrylic turntable cover custom fabricated about 25 years ago; it has stood the test of time quite nicely. The design might work well for you: the cover's width and depth are just slightly larger than the turntable plinth (perhaps by 1 cm). The four acrylic cubes are positioned so that there is clearance for the tonearm and air manifold (it's an air-bearing arm). You could probably do something similar for your amp.
Regards,
Scott
I had this acrylic turntable cover custom fabricated about 25 years ago; it has stood the test of time quite nicely. The design might work well for you: the cover's width and depth are just slightly larger than the turntable plinth (perhaps by 1 cm). The four acrylic cubes are positioned so that there is clearance for the tonearm and air manifold (it's an air-bearing arm). You could probably do something similar for your amp.
Regards,
Scott
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Well, the cover over the whole amp would be about twice as tall as the one covering just the tubes and transformers, and a bit deeper and wider too.
Do you guys have some examples of those brackets that are not ugly?
I'm finding mostly the galvanized steel ones, and they're not pretty in any way.
This is basically almost what the rayma suggests, just slightly less tall.
Hmmm...
To keep it in the "Art Deco " style then chrome plated long slotted narrow brackets would look authentic , not utilitarian but rounded ends ,they would look nice and not out of place with the design.
My wife and I used to own a "brick-a-brac "/antique shop and I am well up on both Art Deco & Art Nouveau and art was one of my better subjects at high school.
Just make sure the slots are deep enough to ensure a good grip.----easy on ---easy off.
My wife and I used to own a "brick-a-brac "/antique shop and I am well up on both Art Deco & Art Nouveau and art was one of my better subjects at high school.
Just make sure the slots are deep enough to ensure a good grip.----easy on ---easy off.
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These are usually polished or matte black painted.
But You could have them make out of INOX or even thin Acryl.
Fabricril - Acrylic Manufacturing and Marketing - Trofa - Articles
Ensure that the acrylic case has lots of ventilation slots (top and bottom so there is an airflow), otherwise the acrylic could melt and the amp overheat. It's why most tube amp cages are made from perforated metal.
I don't know how to search for these in English, so I post pics... The first is for mounting glass shelves on the wall under mirrors etc and the other is hinge if you like to make it old TT style. Here we find them at DIY furniture stores and the alike.
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The first picture looks not bad and the design does look a bit "Art Deco " could have done with a longer slot as the strain ( forces acting on the cover ) is more intense in a small slot but it would do .
Don't like the other picture at all it would take away the classic look of the amplifier ( cheapen it ).
Don't like the other picture at all it would take away the classic look of the amplifier ( cheapen it ).