[Elecraft] KX3 (or, K3) 2-meter solid-state amplifier

Tue Sep 22 21:58:44 EDT 2015

Bending sheet metal to make a box ... really ... 

If I needed something that looked like the letter "Z" to mount stuff 
Then maybe.

But for a project box there are just too many sizes and variations to 
Waste my time and money to make a box.

Just one mans opinion.

73, Dick, W1KSZ

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad
Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 5:41 PM
To: Dale LeDoux
Cc: Elecraft Reflector Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 (or, K3) 2-meter solid-state amplifier

And, there is a much better quality sheet metal brake for about $189 from Eastwood (Versa Bend Sheet Metal Brake).

I saw that Harbor Freight one for $39 but I wouldn’t buy it without looking at it (physically touching it) closely.

phil, K7PEH

> On Sep 22, 2015, at 1:56 PM, Dale LeDoux <dledoux at camtel.net> wrote:
> 
> Harbor Freight sells an 18” sheet metal brake for about forty bucks.
> 
> I’ve used a lot of Harbor Freight tools.  Some of them require a bit of tweaking to work perfectly, but they’re generally good enough right out of the box.
> 
> Dale
> W5OHM
> 
>> On Sep 22, 2015, at 1:22 PM, James Bennett <w6jhb at me.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I built that W6PQL 80 watt amp last year. Built the aluminum chassis, too. I did not have a sheet metal brake, but a few minutes on Google turned up quite a few home-brew brake plans. I built one of them and used it to form the chassis for my amp, and later on a couple other small boxes for shack utility projects. If you enjoy building stuff, creating your own brake is worth the effort. I think I made mine for less than $25. And it works pretty darn well!
>> 
>> Jim / W6JHB
>> 
>> 
>>> On   Tuesday, Sep 22, 2015, at  Tuesday, 10:47 AM, P.J.Hicks <hickspj467 at comcast.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Crafting a case very similar to the one pictured on the sited page is relatively easy. While I do have a brake and no problem crafting cases I will tell you how I would do it without major tools. 
>>> 
>>> 1. Do a drawing of the case with sizes and flanges laid out piece by piece; top, bottom, sides, ends, etc. 
>>> 
>>> 2. Locate the nearest Metal Supermarket. I use them as they are close and reasonable and I know them and their stock. They will cut your metal pieces to size very cheaply. Often free. 
>>> 
>>> 3. Contact them for a quote and order. They may mail your order, I do not know. There are other places who do the same type business; small orders with cutting. 
>>> 
>>> 4. Cut 2 hardwood blocks that just fits inside the lines of the front and rear panels. They should be smaller by the thickness of the metal material plus a smidgeon. 
>>> 
>>> 5. Carefully fit the blocks within the lines of the panel you are bending and clamp in a vice. The blocks should be aligned as well as with in the panel lines; Use double sided tape if necessary. 
>>> 
>>> 6. Use another hardwood block as a "push block" and gently push and hammer against the flange all along its length until it is bent 90 deg. bending only a small part of the angle at a time. 
>>> 
>>> 7. The blocks are also useful when drilling the holes. Some may prefer to drill first but that makes hole alignment very difficult. 
>>> 
>>> PJH, N7PXY
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>> 
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> 
> 
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