I often get questions about how I design and construct my projects. One of the things I realized this morning, after receiving such a question, was that I really haven’t addressed my basic metal work and how I size all the aluminum parts I use for my chassis. So I thought I’d give a little insight into how I make these cuts and how I got to where I am today.
Continue readingThe design of Source Selector Unit/Preamp is coming along and I think I’m going to spring for a professionally made front panel. Today I spent some time with the design software from Front Panel Express and I think the ability to provide custom engravings will be worth it.
Continue readingA while back in this post, “6L6 SE-UL Primed for Progress“, I mentioned that I would no longer be painting the exposed bottom plates of projects which won’t be seen. What that statement actually meant was that I would be leaving the aluminum in a bare “as delivered” finish. Or maybe with just a little steel wool polishing. But I’m now modifying that stance slightly.
Continue readingWhile waiting for appropriate temperatures to paint and apply oil finishes, I’ve been working on a simple preamp project. It’s only a handful of parts and to avoid complications with finishing a handmade chassis, I decided to use a preformed aluminum project box I had sitting on my shelf. I quickly regretted that decision.
Continue reading