[AMRadio] Steel chassis

[Donald Chester]

That's something I grab whenever I see one at a hamfest - chassis bases,
both steel and aluminium.  The same with 19" panels. That is if they aren't
too ventilated. A couple of small holes are usually OK, but I don't bother
with something that is too  drilled up. Of course best of all is when they
haven't been drilled at all. I  sometimes find a nice black wrinkle one
that's still wrapped in the original protective paper and no rust.

I prefer black wrinkle or maybe bare aluminium, but will take anything. I
HATE grey hammertone. I think that's about the ugliest finish anybody ever
thought of. But it makes a good primer to hold black wrinkle or  satin grey
spray. I usually go over it first with a quick dash of liquid  stripper, not
enough to take the paint off, but just enough to de-gloss the original
finish so that the top  coat adheres firmly.

I  won't pay a lot for wirewound  resistors unless I have an ohmmeter with
me to c heck them. I find a lot of ones that are open, even new old stock.
Probably corrosion eats the wire in two or opens the connection at the
terminal rivets, just from the humidity while they sit on the  shelf.
Sometimes I find a box full at hamfest and the vendor will take me up on an
offer of a few bux for the whole box. I have a pretty good selection and
usually, but  not always, can find what I need. If you need a certain
resistor but don't have it, then it takes on value. 

Don k4kyv