Sockets, mounting perfboard, rubber feet, and testing for dead componets

[Kearns892]

I searched for these things and while I found a lot of useful info that will help, not exactly what I needed so I will ask some fairly basic questions about a few things I'm still unsure about.

1. Sockets- I understand the use, but there are a ton of different sockets for a ton of different types of components. I need sockets to experiment with some different diode values in a tube screamer clone, what type of socket is best for diodes and the like?

2. Mounting perfboard- I've been browsing around these forms and I've seen my fair share of gut shots, but I'm still unsure of the best way to mount perfboard in a pedal. I've seen people use a foam-like sheet  to prevent the board from touching the sides of the pedal. Is this a good way to go about this? Where I can I get this foam stuff and is it cheap? Is there a better way to mount these then propping them up against other mounted components?

3. Rubber Feet- Ive seen cheap self adhesive circular and square rubber feet advertised as great for pedals. I get a feeling they might just suck. Anyone have any experience with those sort of rubber feet.

4. I have an old solid state Fender amp that buzzes like crazy and makes some weird noise, I let some more experienced players listen and they said it was probably a component gone bad, as it was super clean before. I will be building an audio probe and I've ordered a cheap multimeter, how would I go about testing to see if a component has taken a turn for the worse? Is there any other equipment I need?

Thanks  a lot for you help guys

Kearns

[Nitefly182]

Smallbear sells strips of sockets that you can just break off at any number of sockets. Those will work for nearly anything.

Most small rubber feet are fine for pedals. They dont last forever if you abuse them but theyre fine for rubber feet.

I usually mount perf or vero using either velcro or double-stick foam tape to the back of pots.

[mikemaddux]

1.  IC sockets cut up, check the beginner project on how to do this.  Ive seen 3 pin sockets for sale, but found it much more economical to buy a pack of 8 pin sockets so I can socket ICs and/or cut them up to make transistor or cap sockets.

2.  Walmart for 33 cents a sheet (8x11), or a huge pack (40pc 5.9inx8.85in all different colors) for like 5 or 10 bucks.  Look in the crafts section for "foam value pack sticky back sheets" (its not on their website).  If you cant find them PM me and ill get some for you.  The way I mount (and a few other people) boards is a little bit of 2 part quick dry epoxy with these little metal standoffs and screws.  Check this out  http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/TweakO/TweakO.htm  They show you how to use and mount them.

link for spacers - http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=ygfPscbNso2fbMwykD31zw%3d%3d
link for the proper screws - http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=I%252bU7%252bVSeOjiBCV2cm43QGg%3d%3d
Do yourself a favor and get 100 standoffs for $17 and one bag of 100 screws for 4.80.  You will spend $21.80 and be able to mount all you want!  Ive even got away with using 1 screw and standoff for small boards.   Again, the tutorial above is well worth a read.

3.  The clear semi-circles work great, check out Keeley FX.  But the sheets that you bought above work great too!  I cut the sheets and adhere them to the bottom of the pedal then use the scraps for preventing the conductive parts of the board from touching the pedal enclosure.  For more heavy duty projects I use these (and they come in a few different colors!) http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=ItEYEd4DnG2Y8B%2fKXvPtRw%3d%3d

4.  Take the amp to a repairman.  There are lethal voltages that live inside of an amplifier that live there for well after you have last ran power to the amplifier.  Better left to the professional.  It may be something simple as bad grounding where you are pugging it into the wall, it may be a bad component.  But before you go messing with filter caps, have it checked out.  Thank me later...

[Andi]

I mount my PCBs on self-adhesive standoffs. 3.3mm hole to mount and then just sticky 'em down. That way if you want to alter the components at all you don't have to unsticky anything, just pop the PCB back off the standoffs. Also you can mount the PCB over pots and suchlike.

[Kearns892]

Alright, but say I don't use a standard size board. If I have cut  a piece of perfboard to my needs can I easily bore out a hole to use for the screw with out damaging the board?

[mikemaddux]

Alright, but say I don't use a standard size board. If I have cut  a piece of perfboard to my needs can I easily bore out a hole to use for the screw with out damaging the board?

Yes.  Done it many times.

[cpnyc23]

Just wanted to restate the importance of mikemaddux's response to your 4th question.

Not only can the voltages kill you, they will if you put yourself in their path. 

no joke.

-chris

[Kearns892]

Thanks for the caution, but I'm dealing with a tiny, tiny practice amp a Fender Front man 15 g if you must know, even with this, and just probing around to find the source of the problem, am I in that much danger? The thing is it's a cheap little amp and I don't wanna dish out the money to get it fixed. If you think this is still pretty dangerous I'll take your advice, but what about scraping this for parts, would I still be in danger if I tried to do that?

[mikemaddux]

Small amps that plug into the mains carry just as much lethal power as large amps that plug into the mains.

Please dont poke around blindly.  This is serious stuff.

The BEST thing to do would be to call your local repair guy and ask what his bench fee is.  If he says he wount charge you a bench fee and to bring down your amp so he can see what is wrong with it, you just found your new best friend. 

When he tells you your frontman is worth scraping, ASK HIM TO DISCHARGE THE CAPS.  This will more than likely remove any lethal power inside the amp.

When all is said and done, do the right thing and slide the guy a couple of bucks for taking care of you.

[Kearns892]

alright thanks