Looking to build 2 pedals and get a soldering station

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 01:05:34 PM

Ok my first post and im just overwelmed by all the useful info here thanks for posting it all.

Anyways, I'm looking to build 2 pedals. First...a Wha and then a Chorus

Only thing is these Radio shack 25W irons dont last any longer than 2 weeks or so...

I'm looking to get a new station with controllable output.

I have posted on another board years ago about a soldering station and they say there are about 2 good brands and that you want a Temp controlled unit..NOT a controlled OUTPUT...like the watts. I was told to go for a Weller or a Maplin

Now im not looking to spend any more than $50 on it so any and all suggestions are welcome.

As for the 2 pedals...yea I have just gotten into guitar...well they are on the way through FedX and right behind them is a Roland Micro Cube Amp with built in effects but its hard to add some effects in the middle of playing so i want to patch some pedals through it as well and just keep the duilt in effects off.

Now I dont have much knowledge on electronics..I know how to follow basic wiring sheets but I always have problems with wiring those ICs...like the wiring sheet will look like a triangle but theres like 20 pins on the chip itself.....so i'm sure ill be asking a few questions in my build.

Another thing i'm looking for and will continue to search for here is the wiring sheets for a good chorus and wha pedal.....right along with a setup to make a POT turn with the push of a pedal for the Wha....How are the store units set up?

Thanks for any and all info guys.

$uperpuma · May 16, 2006, 01:11:10 PM

I recently got a Weller Station that is basic but works great! $41.00 plus I got a couple ST7 tips, good for solding in the tight places that we do
here's where I got it.. http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/1980-0373/

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 01:13:31 PM

look good

i looked up that old post and found the one that they recommended

http://www.chipquik.com/store/prod_sgs2010.htm

ill probably get that weller though....

Alex C · May 16, 2006, 02:44:03 PM

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 03:05:05 PM

Thanks for all the helpful links...ill look at them all now

as for the controlled output

theres 3 types of irons...

1) This type stays at a constent temp....(the 30W radio shack types you just plug into the wall

2) Temp. controlled 1 - you set the wattage that flows to the heat coil and it stays at that wattage limiting the heat

3) temp controlled 2 - has a built in thermal switch that feeds and cuts power to the heat coil at the set temp needed.

the type im told is best to get would be the temp. controlled 1...(#2)

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 03:06:35 PM

Quote from: Alex C on May 16, 2006, 02:44:03 PM
I'm a bit confused by your wording when you describe a "controlled output." I'm not sure if you are interested in temp control or not. In any case, I got this one a year or two ago on the advice of Mr. Peter Snowberg, and I couldn't be happier with it. Many others have voiced their approval of the unit as well:
http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501 ($39)

Here are lots of links to threads in which soldering stations are discussed:
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=30658.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=36061.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=40218.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=35615.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=36657.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=39507.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=15940.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=25852.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=33901.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=19096.0
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=30593.0

I think I chime in with my endorsement in most of them, but you can also hear from many others who are very satisfied with it, as well as many who are perfectly happy with thier Wellers, etc.

Ciruit Specialists also sells a Xytronics unit with a Digital Temperature Readout, though it's a bit more expensive ($79):
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/3528

Hope this helps, and have fun!

-Alex

also, great price for that unit...ill order it now
thanks
edit
looked at those links some more..ill have to read them all but now im looking to spend 50 for this model
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/products/full/7508.jpg

looks a little better

btw whats the ideal temp for soldering boards and all?

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 03:32:23 PM

ok so yea im in the middle of 2

one
http://circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7501

it looks good but i dont like lots of extra parts on the side...ill loose them lol
i like units that are mostly all in one

and the 2nd one i'm looking at
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7508

not sure what others think but i believe its well worth the upgrade to the digital for just a small $10

now i have never used any sponges and have heard they should be used....along with abrasive pads

so, along with a soldering station...(looks like I'm getting #2) what else should i get?

I have a disordering pump i just picked up last week and some small cheap wick that never worked well
as for solder i use Radio shack rosin core 60/40 1 pound spool...lasts a while.

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 03:53:02 PM

ok so i just ordered the digital one with some tips to bring me past the 50 with code to get the meter

i have a "crapsman" lol meter at home here but its nothing compared to that $30 free one

so now...what else do i need decides the station to keep my iron lasting long for years to come?

Arn C. · May 16, 2006, 04:02:53 PM

Welcome to the forum!
There are a bunch of wah schematics and probably some layouts for diy.
Also, you can buy a cheap one form Musician's Friend for about $25 U.S.
You can mod the puchased one if you wanted to. Or you can use the pedal and guts (pot and gearing)
and put in your own DIY board of a wah.

Peace!
Arn C.

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 05:33:17 PM

thanks for the welcome..ill look aournd

its a good thing i know how to weld as i can make brackets and all for projects

moody07747 · May 16, 2006, 05:40:09 PM

looking into that

im looking into getting this volume pedal and gutting it for a wha

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Effects?sku=150050

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Looking to build 2 pedals and get a soldering station