meagain Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Does anyone know who online has a nice selection of transformer bell covers? I can't find anything in my searches. I probably need the type that would span over 2 so I suppose a rectangular type shape? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Not sure what to tell you. A quick search brings up myriads of them, but as they are 'specific' to the size and configuration of the transformer, it is hard to suggest anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 I'm looking for decorative covers that go over the transformers of my amps. I can't find those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheltie dave Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Lisa, do yourself a favor. SEND THE AMPS TO CRAIG, have him fix them. Ask him to send the end caps to an auto paint shop, or his supplier(Heybrough?) in Michigan, and get them painted whatever color you want. Two birds, one Parrot, one stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 Two birds, one Parrot, one stone. LOL! Craig and I exchanged an email today so that's a start! I was thinking of having him return the amps without the end caps so I can paint them properly but I don't think he's going to want to touch them. They have a Hammerite type paint on them now so I'll probably stick with that and just mask everything off pristinely and spray them. I'm a good painter. I just thought a cover would be nice also. I have bigger fish to fry with Craig. Like new top plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Two birds, one Parrot, one stone. LOL! Craig and I exchanged an email today so that's a start! I was thinking of having him return the amps without the end caps so I can paint them properly but I don't think he's going to want to touch them. They have a Hammerite type paint on them now so I'll probably stick with that and just mask everything off pristinely and spray them. I'm a good painter. I just thought a cover would be nice also. I have bigger fish to fry with Craig. Like new top plates. You can strip the hammertone in about 3 minutes with some paint stripper--that's what I did. I then sprayed 6 very thin coats of lacquer--about half flat and half semi-gloss. You can get the same nice result with Krylon "Semi Flat Black" which you can get at Home Depot. The whole project should take you about a day and a half including drying time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 Allan - How did you and Craig pull this off? I remember wondering why I couldn't just take the end caps off and have at it, but he said something like "it's complicated". Seems they are mounted just via a hex or alan screw? So what did you do, Craig sent the caps to you for painting and you sent them back? I can't imagine that. Either way, my VRDs are going to have black transformers some day. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Two birds, one Parrot, one stone. LOL! Craig and I exchanged an email today so that's a start! I was thinking of having him return the amps without the end caps so I can paint them properly but I don't think he's going to want to touch them. They have a Hammerite type paint on them now so I'll probably stick with that and just mask everything off pristinely and spray them. I'm a good painter. I just thought a cover would be nice also. I have bigger fish to fry with Craig. Like new top plates. You can strip the hammertone in about 3 minutes with some paint stripper--that's what I did. I then sprayed 6 very thin coats of lacquer--about half flat and half semi-gloss. You can get the same nice result with Krylon "Semi Flat Black" which you can get at Home Depot. The whole project should take you about a day and a half including drying time. Oh come on now...you guys don't like the hammertone? I think that is about the most desirable finish in all of vintage geardom - EMTs, Garrards, Leicas, BEAUTIFUL!! (and really hard to do well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Craig sent the caps to you for painting and you sent them back? [] bingo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 When I painted the transformers on my dynacos, I used a semi gloss heat resistant paint from Ace hardware. I was really happy with the results. I like the look of the black, and since I had replaced the power tranny, I wanted them all to match. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 I also like black,but when ya leave the covers on I guess color won't matter.[] Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 If you interested in painting them, Mike Hurd is the authority to consult! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 "Complicated" because the bell housings are how the transformers are bolted to the top plate -- see the flanges at the bottom with the bolts fed through them? Those bolts of course protrude through the bottom of the top plate, where if you flip the amps and look underneath -- you'll see the big *** choke and all the PS caps sitting over the nuts. He'd probably have to remove half the parts (many which are soldered) to get to the nuts. As for refinishing the top plate, that would be an insane amount of work to do it right. If you want a new look, you're better off selling those and buying a new pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 The top plate is pretty and in perfect shape, but I thought perhaps the Stainless would be the way to go. Hard to tell since I've not seen the stainless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Replacing the top plates would basically entail rebuilding the amps. Get those to Craig for a look, and when you get them back either enjoy them as they are, or sell them and buy another pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whamo Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Cmon who cares what they look like. They sound nice. I'll have a pair someday, no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted April 16, 2007 Author Share Posted April 16, 2007 Replacing the top plates would basically entail rebuilding the amps. You're just a boatload of good news today aren't ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigma Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 See http://www.sophiaelectric.com/ under DIY parts and transfer covers. rigma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Lisa, lisa, lisa......................... taking the end bells off the amp is an all day job!! You have to completely electrically remove the transformer from the amp which entails allot of disassembly time. Replacing the top plate or refinishing it is like Dean mentioned more labor time then wiring a new set of amps. My amps have always been semi custom and up to the customer as to the cosmetic finishes they prefer on the wood and the end bells. Allan had the resources to do the work himself. The one prerequisite of this is you have to buy them new to get them like you want them. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 You guys are all making this entirely too complicated. I had my girlfriend knit me some doilee transformer covers and they are sweet. A doilee for every mood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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