chassis for heavy transformers

[lexington125]

looking for a suitable chassis (steel or aluminum) for use with *heavy* transformers. (bass amp project) Most of the popular rackmount chassis enclosures include 1/16" aluminum top and bottom panels which just don't seem adequate for a pair of large transformers (+/- 25lbs for both)

who makes a 19" rackmount chassis with at least 1/8" top/bottom panels?

[Jammin'John]

Could you make a 17.5"w x 8"d x 2.5"h or a 20 "w x 8"d x 2.5"h PROJECT BOX work ? They are .090" or 3/32".
Watts Tube Audio ~ Everything Tube Amps! chassis.

JJ

[R.G.]

It's more an issue of the concentration of the weight/force. Spread it out. Take some 1/2" or 3/4" aluminum angle and cut two lengths that go under the transformer mounting feet and extend some distance away, maybe 4-6". Bolt trannies and spreaders down to the skin every 2-3". Angle spreads the load and also reinforces the skin.

[stevehoover]

+1 on the Watts Tube Audio Boxes. They are .090 thick AL and well made.
I take my raw Watts boxes to a radiator repair shop and have them heliarc weld the inside corners.
This makes the box really stout as far as heavy transformers " pancaking" the enclosure if the amp makes a sudden stop inside a truck or off the back of a stage. Overkill maybe, but I've seen a lot of stuff footballed when it was "in transit".

[Jammin'John]

Chassis

This is my new amp.
Not done yet but getting there.

JJ