TS Power Problem

[Culley713]

I've built a few tube screamers before, but I have never had this problem.  Also I have no electronic background, I just know how to read a schematic and solder.  The pedal works fine when it is out of the case, but when I put it in the case it didn't work.  I narrowed the problem down to the 9v power jack.  When it is screwed in and makes contact with the metal case (an old case my friend had and wanted to reuse, not the typical case I buy), it doesn't work.  Is this a grounding problem? Is there a simple way to fix this without having to re-solder a plastic power jack?

[MmmPedals]

You can use a rubber grommet to isolate the jack from the enclosure. see this http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/content/view/34/27/

[Electron Tornado]

I had this problem with a pedal I built. I thought I was clever using a power jack from Radio Shack. If that's what you've got there, then here's what's going on. The power jacks from radio shack have a metal tab inside that does two things. It provides some friction to secure the plug AND it also grounds the sleeve of the power plug to the case. It took a bit to figure out why my pedal wasn't working.

If it's not a Radio Shack power jack it may be similar and that may be what's happening.

Or are you using the same kind of jack that Smallbear sells, thereby rendering my post......pretty much...useless?