Aluminum for my case

toybox · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject: Aluminum for my case

i have not a clue ware to start to look for aluminum panels for my case ?
i've was thinking of useing plexiglass but a heat gun seems pricey just for
one thing

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 3:39 am Post subject:

Hi Toybox,
my SL is almost finished, (I'll post some pics in a new thread ASAP).
I made a wooden box from a wardrobe drawer and put a semi-clear acrylic (plexiglass, perspex) front panel which was originally the turntable cover from one of those old hi-fi's from the 80's which I found at the recycling shop. All up $3 for both! Most of those plastics can be cut with a sharp (new) tenon saw, just put some masking tape along the line first to minimise the chance of cracking. Cleanup with a rotary tool if need be.
See ya.

opg · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 6:36 am Post subject:

I heard that using a metal case, like an A/B switch box, will seriously drain any batteries used in the project? I am right in assuming this is true?

Otherwise, I was planning on using a softer plastic or wood case (maybe an old 80s red plastic lunchbox) that is easy to drill through.

toybox · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 1:52 am Post subject:

I was thinking of using my evil dead lunchbox Smile

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:59 am Post subject:

A metal case will not drain your batteries. The only difference a metal case will do is that if the case is connected to the earth connection of your SL it will help shield the SL circuitry from stray EM radiation which will reduce 50Hz hum etc. Because the SL is a synth it has reasonably high signal levels right from the oscillators onwards so EMR is probably not much of a concern anyway.
Overall, I would say house it in whatever you like. The Evil Dead lunchbox sounds particularly cool. Cool

opg · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:05 am Post subject:

Excellent! I'm still browsing for a case.....and now there are more options!

I was thinking of a 3 or 4 inch PVC pipe, but maybe for another project. I also enjoy visual irony. Like a sound lab in a case from a bigger, fancier sound lab.

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 6:32 am Post subject:

I had an idea when I was thinking about building my SL.
Eventually I settled on the rack mountable, stationary and expandable idea, but I also thought about 3, 4, or 5 pieces of 4 inch PVC pipe. Different lengths, bolted (or glued) together to form a podium style altar/organ type thing. The main board could go into 1 of them, and the controls could run down the sides. One tube for the oscilators, 1 for the filter etc. This way you keep it expandable, ie: you want another oscillator, you attach another tube. You can incorporate a percussion pad into the top of some of the tubes. You could have an amp and speaker in another tube for live performances or busking. The tubes themselves could even act as built in resonators/reverb chambers. The whole thing could (potentially) be dismantled into 2 or 3 smaller units for transporting.
Wow, just describing that to you has made me realise what a great idea it actually is!!!
Hmmm...... There might be another SL from Uncle Krunkus real soon.

opg · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:40 am Post subject:

Is there anything PVC can't do?

I'm also piecing together a homemade electronic drumset, and I'm planning on using a PVC frame. I could've housed the SL in a PVC tube and attached it to the frame!

Eventually, I see myself caged in PVC, with drumpads and effects and small synths and samplers mounted everywhere around me. Maybe everything will be battery-powered, so I could walk around. I'd be a freak!

It reminds me of some old Jetsons episode where George is playing some "futuristic" drumset. It was basically a doughnut-shaped tympani where George sat in the middle and spun around in his chair to play on all parts of it.