Jerry, et al,
I echo the email below. A GOOD drill press is a requirement. I have a Dewalt
that was a hand me down from my father, built like tank in Pittsburgh, circa
1955 and it is great! (After a thorough rebuild) But the thing that has made
it absolutely a great machine was the addition of an X-Y table I bought from
Enco for a sale price of about $100. It is not a milling machine by any
stretch but drilling tubing to make antennas is a piece of cake. It will do
small milling jobs (slotting tubing) but the quill is too small to attempt
anything bigger than using a 1/4 inch mill. Ok, enough sermon. Spend 400
to 700 bucks. Look for older machines that have a substantial amout of metal
in them. If it can be rebuilt, go for it. I guarantee the payback will
justify the expense. But then again, who knows what might be under the Xmas
tree next year?
73 Hardy N7RT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Muller" <k0tv@k0tv.com>
To: "Jerry" <jsternmd@att.net>; <Amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Building an Amp 101
Jerry (why do I like that name :-)),
While not necessary to have a full machine shop, a drill press can do most
anything. I do some VERY LIGHT milling with mine using a movable vise and
milling bits in the chuck. As long as you're only doing aluminum, take
only a little bit at a time, and prepare to replace your bits often, you
can do it.
I wouldn't try anything without a drill press.
Other tools that help:
Grinding wheel with an aluminum oxide wheel (expensive but do nice finish
work).
Bending Brake.
Cutoff saw.
Good luck,
Jerry - K0TV
-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 10:10 AM
To: Amps@contesting.com
Subject: [Amps] Building an Amp 101
I have had a long desire to build my own linear HF or VHF amp. I believe
I
have the electronic technical skills but after looking at some completed
projects like those on WD7S website, I realized I don't have the skills or
tools to do a nice job on the mechanical aspects of chassis / sub-chassis
sheetmetal work. I guess I could cram it all into an unattractive box
behind a reasonable looking front panel but is linear amp building mainly
for those with good metal work capabilities? How does one break into
this
with limited workbench space other than an electronic workbench?
Jerry
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
|