|
Vintage Radio (domestic) Domestic vintage radio (wireless) receivers only. |
|
Thread Tools |
11th Aug 2009, 2:13 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Naples, Florida, USA
Posts: 255
|
chassis holding fixture
Has anyone come up with a chassis holding fixture? Some of the sets I've worked on require me to stand on my head for access to some part. I was thinking of making some kind of holding fixture, but it seems it would have to be tailor made for that particular chassis.
__________________
Jim Mac |
11th Aug 2009, 2:26 pm | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 656
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
Hi Jim, I've come across a number of designs for chassis jigs in various early books on radio servicing. They're all adjustable to accommodate different sizes of chassis and simple to construct. I'll try to dig them out and post on here.
__________________
Colin Armstrong |
11th Aug 2009, 2:27 pm | #3 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Naples, Florida, USA
Posts: 255
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
Fantastic!
__________________
Jim Mac |
11th Aug 2009, 4:05 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,109
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
Worth taking a look at the service data for Philips 745A
Page 9 ( fig. 8 ) shows the Philips thinking on an adjustable jig. I'm sure this could be made to accomodate most chassis. The only time it falls down is if there are no threaded holes in the base of the chassis to attach it to the jig I sent the plans to Gerry some years back to see if he would consider fabricating it for a decent sum, but never received a reply. I guess if there was enough demand, a small engineering firm may take on the task. Personally I would have paid almost anything to acquire something similar a couple of years back when my servicing activity peaked. I fear the moment has passed.... It's surprising what you can effect with some stout copper tube and a pipe bender !! Andy |
11th Aug 2009, 4:17 pm | #5 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,686
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
Andy,
Could you post the page? Alan |
11th Aug 2009, 4:33 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,301
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
It's amazing what can be achieved with a stout cardboard box of suitable size. Turn chassis upside down, and drop valves and sticky outy bits "into" the box, resting the edges of chassis on the edges of box. It's worked for me! If you need to turn some knobs simply cut holes or slots in the box for the shafts.
Of course you need to keep an infinate number of different size boxes, but it's amazing what you can find in an emergency Sometimes the chassis will stand in the case and be supported that way. How about some pieces of Dexion(C) or similar?
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |
11th Aug 2009, 4:48 pm | #7 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: North London, UK.
Posts: 6,168
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
I'm sure we had a thread on this a few years ago. Can't find it though.
|
11th Aug 2009, 6:13 pm | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 656
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
I've scanned a couple of examples. Apologies for the poor quality of the pictures but they do illustrate the kind of thing used for this work. The first is an adjustable jig made from metal strips and tubing with lots of wing nuts! The second is a different approach using adjustable 'chassis jacks'.
I like the cardboard box approach but if you've a little more time and some simple tools something along these lines shouldn't be too difficult to knock up. Personally I keep a few offcuts of 2" by 2" section wood handy and can prop up each corner of a chassis with a piece to provide a level work area.
__________________
Colin Armstrong Last edited by Colin; 11th Aug 2009 at 6:20 pm. |
11th Aug 2009, 9:43 pm | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,109
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
Mods - Hope this is OK ?? A.
|
11th Aug 2009, 10:24 pm | #10 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 1,686
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
Andy,
I can see the idea behind it, but it looks a bit flimsy for a heavy chassis. Are there any dimensions in the text? Alan |
11th Aug 2009, 11:39 pm | #11 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
How about a wooden framework, made of 33mm. X 33mm. PSE, rectangular in all three planes and held together with wooden dowels that friction-fit into various holes drilled in the framework, thus making this frame adjustable in size (3 dimensions) to accomodate different sizes of chassis? Rigid, versatile, easy to make & cheap. Plus, since it is made of wood, minimal electrical safety hazard! Al. / Skywave |
12th Aug 2009, 6:17 pm | #12 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Naples, Florida, USA
Posts: 255
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
All good ideas. I think I like the servicing rack, which would allow easy maneuvering from the top side to the bottom side, but each have there advantages. I'll have one of each, please.
__________________
Jim Mac |
12th Aug 2009, 10:56 pm | #13 |
Nonode
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 2,109
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
|
17th Aug 2009, 10:14 am | #14 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 631
|
Re: chassis holding fixture
I have a plain wooden baseboard (about 2-3" thick, drilled in a regular pattern and two sets of wooden dowels, one set long and the other shorter, both for upside down work only.
A quick check and measure for dowel locations to fit between valve bases and other encumbrances then the chassis can be lowered onto them upside down. It is firmly supported, saves a lot of mucking about, and if the serviceman's gods are with me I can use the shorter dowels on the side closest to me and longer for the far side and have a tilted chassis to work on. It is of minimum cost, takes little skill, few tools and no time to make, fits all chassis sizes and types and packs away in very little space. Being non-metallic it doesn't present any shock hazards either. Cheers Billy |