678-929-7294
LOGINBig Blue Saw Blog
General Updates
- Details
- Written by Simon Arthur
- Parent Category: Big Blue Saw Blog
I’ve been playing and collecting small tube amps for almost 20 years, from modern ones to decades old eBay finds. While there are a lot of great amp makers out there, I felt like even the boutique amps on the market were lacking the sound quality I was getting with vintage equipment. Also, I felt like someone needed to build an amp that wasn’t a rectangular metal box inside of a rectangular wooden box.
He went on to describe the design technique, as well as how he processed and assembled the parts from Big Blue Saw to make a completed amplifier.
I started with a sketch, then a cardboard version, and once that was all done it was time to start making them out of aluminum. After cutting and drilling 6 by hand, I realized I would need to have the panels waterjet cut if I was going to make them in any kind of quantity.
These are the body panels of the chassis. Before the sides can be taken to the brake for bending, I use a bead roller to give each side two 1/8th inch beads.
These are the face panels, which I use a 3/4th inch round wheel to add two large wells to. The two heights correspond to the height of the EF86 input tube and EL84 output tube. Then I add a 1/4 in bend on all sides to give it a bevel. Now they're ready for welding.
This is a welded and partially polished transformer cover, which will cover the power and output transformers, along with the filter capacitor. Since the aluminum I source still needs to be welded, formed, shaped, sanded, and polished, it's nice to be able to have various types to choose from on the Big Blue Saw site.
I wanted to do something special for the first run, so I took the extra step of taping of the tube wells and a few other sections, and polished them to a shine. To tone everything down and not make it look like a car part, as well as to insulate and protect the chassis, I then had them anodized. The anodize over polished aluminum is a cool effect, and I won't be repeating it since the next batch will be hydro-dipped.
The final step in the metal work is bending the custom grille I designed for the front panel. These are tricky since the brakes can't do 30 degree bends that close together. I decided to go with a thinner aluminum I could bend by hand and with seamers, and with Simon's help settled on long slats at the bend lines that would allow me to easily work the material.
Here is the final product, sitting on top of a beautiful speaker cabinet that was built for me by my woodworker to my specification. These will be available together or separately from the amplifiers.
I scoured online for a company to [waterjet cut the panels], and that’s when I came across Big Blue Saw. The ability to get quotes on their website, proof the image, then have it in your hands a short time later were absolutely integral in the realization of this amp. Julie and Simon were not only helpful, this literally could not have happened without them.
The first batch of 40 amps will be going on sale in October, and we’ll be making both guitar and hi-fi amplifiers. Although the sound is wonderful (it’s a class A tube amp), what really sets this product apart is it’s design and craftsmanship, and that’s something that everyone should be able to enjoy, even if they can’t play the guitar.
- Details
- Written by Super User
- Parent Category: Big Blue Saw Blog
Big Blue Saw helps makers turn their designs into real parts. And beginning Monday, September 25, makers can save on custom aluminum parts.
The sale starts Monday, September 25, and runs through Wednesday, September 27. During the sale, orders placed online for waterjet cut aluminum 6061 in 0.375 inch thickness (that's 3⁄8 inch or about 9.5 mm) will automatically receive a quantity discount.
Let's take a look at how you can save during the sale.
Here is a 10x5 inch baseplate as seen on our examples page.
| Regular quantity 1 price | Sale Quantity 1 Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $92.10 | $23.30 | 75% |
The split clamp from examples page, waterjet cut from 0.375" thick 6061 alloy aluminum.
| Regular quantity 1 price | Sale Quantity 1 Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $92.10 | $14.90 | 84% |
Remember, to save on waterjet cut aluminum, place your order online Monday, September 25, through Wednesday, September 27.
- Details
- Written by Simon Arthur
- Parent Category: Big Blue Saw Blog
Shaun Gosselin shared with some photos of his race car built with parts from Big Blue Saw. The car was built for the Supermodified Division to race at Oswego Speedway in New York.
The tail wing ribs were made of 3/8 inch thick aluminum 6061 and waterjet cut by Big Blue Saw from Shaun's design.
All three designs shown below were used because the rules limit the overall size of the wing so it takes a few different sized elements to get correct shape.
- Details
- Written by Super User
- Parent Category: Big Blue Saw Blog
Get a head start on getting your designs ready for our next sale on waterjet cutting.
The sale material this time will be 0.375 inch (3/8 inch, or about 9.5 mm) thick aluminum 6061.
The sale starts on Monday, September 25 and runs through Wednesday, September 27.
As with all other sales this year, orders placed online for the sale material will automatically receive a quantity discount.
We'll have more information here, on our mailing list, and social media accounts as the sale starts.
- Details
- Written by Simon Arthur
- Parent Category: Big Blue Saw Blog
To create something that's a marvel of functionality and beauty takes time. In fact, one customer let us know that he had recently completed a project using parts we waterjet cut for him all the way back in 2011. James Jamison finally finished the electric guitar you see here, and it's a beauty!
Here's what he had to say about this project:
The shape is based on a slimmed down 1960's Höfner Verythin guitar that I used to have. I traced a photo in CAD and then sent it off to you.
It was a very slow build it as it's not anywhere near a standard guitar. I did a lot of thinking and assembling / disassembling as I was building it.
The top and back were done freehand with a polished ball peen hammer against a wooden board. I made a simple uke as a prototype to work out the technique. It's tricky, as every strike makes a divot, but also twists the sheet. Half of the pounding is taking the twist out.
Electrically it sounds great, just the same as any electric guitar. I've also got a microphone inside that I can mix into the output. The microphone system needs work. Currently it's really great at making feedback at the resonant frequency of the metal top.
