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previous: Rick FWIW I checked into chrome plating ... -- 10/23/2000 3:18 AM

Re: To paint or not to paint that is the question

10/23/2000 3:38 AM
jon	Re: To paint or not to paint that is the question learn how to use a mig welder....sheet metal brakes are nice too. Alternatively, you can braze or solder; don't worry, if the solder melts in the toaster, your paint would have been all burnt off anyway! My recipe: 1) breadboard the circuit. I usually do tube effects, so my enclosures gotta be a bit bigger than the normal. 2) Figure out the dimensions. If I don't have a brake handy, try and use some stock with pre-bent angles....amazing how much stock you can get from discarded PC's. This is also nice gauge cold rolled steel to work with. 3) Weld her up 4) do a bit of body work...I use a sand blast cabinet to mechanically etch the box. If I'm in the mood then I'll also chemically etch her. Then use a minimum of body filler (bondo). Fine sand. Primer (I prefer 2 part urethane or epoxy primer) 5.) paint. spray bombs work nicely, Airbrush is better. Touch-up gun also has its place. 6) if enamel or epoxy or urethane, let tack then into the toaster oven, real low watching closely for an hour or 2, depending on chemicals and thickness of paint. 6) air dry 1-2 days before handling. After this, you can hit it with a hammer and it should stand up to it.... have fun! Oh yeh, don't breathe the stuff. Burning paint from welding, spray bombs, 2 part paints....all nasty as hell. Use proper respiratory protection and extreme ventilation.....hearing protection's nice when using power tools to cut the stuff; leather gloves will keep your fingers in shape to play the guitar when you're all done with the box..... Jon

10/23/2000 3:38 AM

jon

Re: To paint or not to paint that is the question

learn how to use a mig welder....sheet metal brakes are nice too. Alternatively, you can braze or solder; don't worry, if the solder melts in the toaster, your paint would have been all burnt off anyway!

My recipe:

1) breadboard the circuit. I usually do tube effects, so my enclosures gotta be a bit bigger than the normal.
2) Figure out the dimensions. If I don't have a brake handy, try and use some stock with pre-bent angles....amazing how much stock you can get from discarded PC's. This is also nice gauge cold rolled steel to work with.
3) Weld her up
4) do a bit of body work...I use a sand blast cabinet to mechanically etch the box. If I'm in the mood then I'll also chemically etch her. Then use a minimum of body filler (bondo). Fine sand. Primer (I prefer 2 part urethane or epoxy primer)
5.) paint. spray bombs work nicely, Airbrush is better. Touch-up gun also has its place.
6) if enamel or epoxy or urethane, let tack then into the toaster oven, real low watching closely for an hour or 2, depending on chemicals and thickness of paint.
6) air dry 1-2 days before handling. After this, you can hit it with a hammer and it should stand up to it....
have fun! Oh yeh, don't breathe the stuff. Burning paint from welding, spray bombs, 2 part paints....all nasty as hell. Use proper respiratory protection and extreme ventilation.....hearing protection's nice when using power tools to cut the stuff; leather gloves will keep your fingers in shape to play the guitar when you're all done with the box.....
Jon