Reccomended breadboard

[Kipper4]

Some cool ideas there.
I have an idea of how i want it to look but weither it will look like that when i've finished. Who knows.

Anyone tried the R G Keen Audio probe?

send me the link to the pdf if you have it please. I've mislaid mine and i want to debugg this blasted TS808 that i finally finished building.
I checked the ic voltage which all seem to be in the ball park.
If i cant debugg it soon i'll start a thread and post up details. Mean time i'd like to try the audio probe on it.
Odd thing is when i tried it how i thought it should be used the only way i could get the probe to work was to unplug the guitar cable and ground it with the clip then touch the signal with the probe.
Does this mean i have a problem even getting signal into the circuit?
Any ideas.

I'm really looking forward to having a BB, now i'm hopeful it will arrive monday (afternoon shift next week) So I get to play with it Tuesday morning.
Works always getting in the way of stuff. lol

[Madkatb]

Here's the link.http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/debug.html
You can also use a powered computer speaker as the amplifier, using the speaker cable for the probe wires. Don't forget the capacitor. If you tape it to a chopstick it's usable on amps too.

[davent]

You are about to enter the breadboard twilight zone where a circuit is endlessly tweaked, refined and twisted and never ever completed, there's is always one more alteration to try in search of audio nirvana... how will you know when enough is enough and it's ok to box the sucker up, does it ever get boxed up?

It's a disease...

[Kipper4]

I've only boxed one up so far. Geez those boxs are expensive.

I want to learn how to tweak them eventually too but right now I want to learn how to lay them out better.
I think i will know when enoughs enough because it will be working and if not it will be easiier to diagnose and correct.
I guess its a bit like art there comes a time when you have to call it done and get back to a fresh canvas.

I will probably follow the example of tape on resistor legs to identify them. but leave the bodys clear so i can familiarise myself with the common colour schemes of both metal and carbon ones. Hoping this will help me identify mistakes in fututre.
I've noticed that with the limited type of pedals i've built so far most have similar value resistors and caps. Pots too.
really looking forward to better prototyping.

[petey twofinger]

i read your sig , now i am hungry for a sharmi kebob diablo .

[Jdansti]

I've only boxed one up so far. Geez those boxs are expensive.

If you want to box up a bunch of pedals cheaply, I've found that electrical junction boxes from the local hardware stores are great. Get a blank metal cover plate to mount pots and switches. I knock out the appropriate holes on the sides for jacks and power, but pick up some washers for these because the holes will be too large with out them. Drilling the cover plates are easy with decent bits.







You'll find other examples of these boxes on the forum as well as other types of "non-traditional" boxes.

[Kipper4]

Funny you mention that the one i boxed up is in a junction box.
Thanks for the tip.
The cheapest i found aluminium die cast boxs is £4.50 GBP it's a lot better than the previous price of 6 Pounds +
i'd rather buy them abroad and bulk buy if im forced.
I do intend on getting some and eventually doing decals and making a proper job of them.
It's just circuit building is enough of a learning curve for an oldie right now.
My wife was a studio widow now she's a pedal widow.

[bluebunny]

Slightly OT, Rich, but if you're after enclosures, check out Gapco.  They're bl**dy expensive for just about everything, but they do a pretty good deal on boxes.  Types B and E are good for two-knobs-across builds (B is a bit deeper).  Type D for three or fours knobs across.  The quality isn't quite Hammond/Eddystone, but they do the job.  The prices are already pretty reasonable, but the deal comes when you buy five at a time.  Which you'll get through in no time!    And free delivery over £25...

[Kipper4]

Nice one Bunny those are the cheapest i've seen so far and for a reasonable sized box too.
I'm not so keen on those mini boxs.
I figure if it's a reasonable size it looks more like it wont scoot out underfoot when i put my welly on the switch.
And i wont be struggling to get my badly organised circuit within.
Plenty of room for art work too.
Whats the best paint for aluminium enclosures please point me to a thread.
I was thinking those spraypaints they have in my local hardware store would do.
I think i'm going to go with decals for artwork and writing under the knobs etc.
Although i like the look of some of those etched ones i cant be fussed to start storing chemicals and messing with them.
Plus i can learn to do decals for guitar heads at the same time.
I believe artwork will defo sell a pedal but its not the be all and end all for my own stuff.
I just want to add to my own skills eventually (decals)

[Jdansti]

Regarding pedals scooting around, I was also concerned about this when I started building stompboxes, but I found that the weight of the light boxes and all of the components was heavy enough. You can use some non-skid feet on them if necessary.

As for painting, prepare the enclosure first by sanding and cleaning with a solvent to remove oils and debris. Then prime it properly and paint it. Make sure to apply the primer and paint as specified by the manufacturer and allow adequate drying time between coats.

As for decals and other artwork, the last thing I do is spray on several coats of clear laquer to protect everything and give the pedal a nice finish.

I'm sure that others with more painting experience can give some other tips.

[Kipper4]

Jdansti
have you got a regular coloured background you use for your pedals?
Which primer to use?

[Jdansti]

Here in the US we have Krylon paints which are very good.

A good primer for metal is this one: http://www.krylon.com/products/indooroutdoor_primer/. I use a color that won't be difficult to cover with the paint.  Use white for lighter colored paints.

For paint, I use lighter colors so that my labeling is easy to read.  This would be a good paint:  http://www.krylon.com/products/indooroutdoor_paint/

I misspoke earlier about the clear coat. I use varnish, not lacquer.  I've been very pleased with this varnish, and I don't have to prime if I just want a clear coat over bare aluminum: http://www.krylon.com/products/clear_varnish_coating/

[bluebunny]

I figure if it's a reasonable size it looks more like it wont scoot out underfoot when i put my welly on the switch.
And i wont be struggling to get my badly organised circuit within.
Plenty of room for art work too.

Yep, the 40mm one is pretty roomy, depth-wise.

Whats the best paint for aluminium enclosures please point me to a thread.
I was thinking those spraypaints they have in my local hardware store would do.

Halfords.     Primer, paint and lacquer.

I think i'm going to go with decals for artwork and writing under the knobs etc.
Although i like the look of some of those etched ones i cant be fussed to start storing chemicals and messing with them.
Plus i can learn to do decals for guitar heads at the same time.

I use these (the clear ones).  They do an inkjet version too.

[deadastronaut]

^ ha ha yeah  used crafty too when trying slide stuff.. ...

[Kipper4]

How do they justify the cost of that decal paper.
Geez thats expensive.
What with the cost of enclosures, pots,knobs and artwork means that boutique pedal manufacture is not goiung to be cheap is it?

thanks for all the help guys.
I'll delv a little deeper everyday.

[Jdansti]

Building pedals is not cheap, but it can be done in a way that minimizes negative cashflow. As with any business, you have to risk capital to get the ball rolling. This video has been posted on the forum before, but I'll repost it here as it's pertinent.

[chromesphere]

I totally agree with devi ever.  If you cant take of advantage of your friends and family, who can you take advantage of?

I think it was this thread someone asked about how to link up stuff on a breadboard?  Im not exactly fluent in breadboardian ive been using twisted pair solid core wire (ie -> destroy a cat 5 network cable).  Its ok, but the leads can snap.  Still good for short lenghts though.  I recently bought some of these links.  I gotta say, they are actually pretty good quality!  I know, "how can the chinese stuff up a piece of wire with pins on both ends".  Well...im sure they could if they tried.  So far these look pretty good.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/140779513182?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

they are all different links but there arent any that are like...REALLY short.  for those, the cat 5 cable can work ok as well.

Some of the veterans may have better ideas for breadboard links.
Anyway, just thought i would share that.  All the best
Paul

[Kipper4]

Thanks for that video, some good ideas again.
Is that person on this forum btw? What pedals do they make? Anything i would have heard of?

I have some jumpers on the way with one of my breadboards. I may well get some more too.

I dont really know if i want this to be a full on business solution. I already run a business and work another job full time.
However i have a friend who runs a guitar shop who's intrested.
So i figured on a commision basis i'd try to sell some at his shop.
Which for me is less pressure and more fun and i hope to offer a pedal repairs or adjustments to suit perticular rigs for clients.
Who knows where this is going but i want to dip my toes in this water.

[Jdansti]

>Is that person on this forum btw? What pedals do they make? Anything i would have heard of?
She is on the forum and at http://www.deviever.com/fx/.

Another idea that others have used is to build a few for your local shop as you mentioned, and then as you get a reputation, build new pedals on an as requested basis. When someone asks you to build one, collect a 50% non-returnable deposit, build and hand deliver the pedal in the time you agreed to, and collect the other 50%. The 50% should at least cover your cost of materials, so if the customer backs out, you're not in the red.

Edit: Oops-Accidentally hit the "Post" button on the iPhone

The 50% is a rough number. Depending on the complexity of the build, the finish and art work, that number could be different. Just make sure that the deposit covers the cost of the materials. Others on the forum have differing opinions of how much markup to charge.

[bluebunny]

What with the cost of enclosures, pots,knobs and artwork means that boutique pedal manufacture is not goiung to be cheap is it?

Ha ha - who told you that??