Looking for surface mount projects

[Kevin Mitchell]

Trying to nail down my surface mount soldering skills before I send out some files for fab. I'm looking for some suggestions for surface mount projects to build! It could be a home etch project or preferably - a PCB I can purchase.

The bigger the project, the happier I'll be! I should note, I've already stocked up on a bunch of 0805 parts. So if the PCB accommodates those, that would be even more cool 

So what's out there? It doesn't have to be a guitar effect. It could be anything really.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[Ripthorn]

I've got some PCB's for some of my projects, including:

- EchoWreck: Quad-PT2399 workalike of the Binson Echorec. Uses 0805 and is a very large, two board project.
- T60 Reverberator: Quad-PT2399 reverb with size, dwell, and mix controls. 0805 parts and I would say large.
- Bajaman Splawn Quickrod Overdrive: Uses 0805 parts, fantastically girthy overdrive/distortion

You can read all about the first two here: https://scientificguitarist.wixsite.com/home/projects

If you are interested, just let me know. I've got full build documentation and (where necessary) code available. I have only a couple requests:

- These are for non-commercial use. If you are interested in using them commercially, please contact me via PM.
- If you build one, I would love for you to do a quick demo with a link back to the project page and a mention of where the project comes from
- I do this just as a way to give back to the DIY community, so any help in bringing awareness to them would be great!

Best of luck!

[vigilante397]

I have a ton of SMD tube preamps if you're into that sort of thing. I'm in the process of redesigning my whole lineup so I have a lot of perfectly functional but not-current-version PCBs. Also have plenty of working circuits that I just decided not to run with, I'd be happy to get rid of some of those as well. I know I have things like a Sans-Amp, Shoot the Moon tremolo, and some others as well if you're not into tube preamps. I'll poke around and see what I have lying around, I'd love to clear some out.

[iainpunk]

i learned to SMD on SMD proto board, basically a type of perf board, but not perforated, and way smaller. the main thing i took away form that frustrating experience was that a machine can do the job way better than i can, and my time and sanity are expensive enough that the extra cost of having it done by machine in the far east is totally worth it!

cheers

[vigilante397]

i learned to SMD on SMD proto board, basically a type of perf board, but not perforated, and way smaller. the main thing i took away form that frustrating experience was that a machine can do the job way better than i can, and my time and sanity are expensive enough that the extra cost of having it done by machine in the far east is totally worth it!

cheers

That reminds me, I may even have a solder paste stencil or two to go with some of my old projects. Hand soldering anything smaller than a 1206 is a bit of a chore, but stenciling on solder paste, placing components then reflowing in an oven is easy and cheap, I think my record is 6 PCBs put together in an hour.

[vigilante397]

Just took a look through my stash, if you're looking for non-tube designs I have these:

- Small Clone chorus, if I remember right one of the pots is wired backwards though
- Vulcan distortion, big thread about that one somewhere here
- SansAmp GT2
- Diezel VH4
- FV-1 multi effect, set up for 8 patches with a rotary switch to select
- EQD Arpanoid, another FV-1 project

All 1590B, all 0805 passives with tantalums for bigger stuff.

And of course I have submini and 12AX7 tube stuff coming out my ears.

[Kevin Mitchell]

- EchoWreck: Quad-PT2399 workalike of the Binson Echorec. Uses 0805 and is a very large, two board project.

If you are interested, just let me know. I've got full build documentation and (where necessary) code available. I have only a couple requests:

- These are for non-commercial use. If you are interested in using them commercially, please contact me via PM.
- If you build one, I would love for you to do a quick demo with a link back to the project page and a mention of where the project comes from
- I do this just as a way to give back to the DIY community, so any help in bringing awareness to them would be great!

Oh man I'd love to have that EchoWreck as my first PT2399 build!
Sounds reasonable! It would only be for me - unless I give it to a friend as I do with many stompboxes  . So not commercial!
I'd definitely do a demo for the cause! And your site looks awesome! Your circuit documentation is above and beyond from most.

I'm interested!

And of course I have submini and 12AX7 tube stuff coming out my ears.

You too, huh? 
I have plenty of preamp tubes and russian submini dual triodes and pentodes. Sadly never did anything beyond breadboarding stuff like the tube vibe or reverb driver.
I'd love a tube preamp! I mostly run my amps clean so any dirty preamp would be just fine 
I've been wanting to build another headphone amp as well. The GT2 seems interesting!

I'll shoot you guys a msg.



I had taken this photo a few weeks back. It was my 2nd attempt at surface mount parts. Obviously easier than 0805 stuff. Wish there was an easier way to clean flux instead of just spreading it around. Maybe a wire brush would knock it off.



Oh yeah one more thing. I had started a thread months ago "Taking the Surface Mount Plunge". I should update that soon as I had gotten the proper tools and upgraded my entire work station. Finally got a real desk 

[vigilante397]

Wish there was an easier way to clean flux instead of just spreading it around.

I use aerosol flux remover and just keep spraying until the flux is gone. Uses more remover, but leaves the board cleaner.

That being said I've transitioned over to black PCBs for everything so flux isn't as visible (it looks awful on white PCBs) and unless it's particularly bad I don't worry about it, most people aren't opening my pedals to look around inside.

[Ripthorn]

For flux, I usually just use rubbing alcohol and a Q tip, but I don't clean it off all that much . Yellow PCB's are super forgiving .

[mark2]

Not a large project, quite the opposite, but here are some fun options: https://shop.mas-effects.com/collections/smd-fuzz

[iainpunk]

for removing flux, i use blue spiritus and an old toothbrush.  i use brown perf, so its quite forgiving, just like Ripthorn mentioned.

i really want to get into PCB design again, i have done some really good looking pcb's in school, and black pcb looks so sexy and sleek, especially with gold plated lettering.

cheers