shop and tool tips & tricks

[armdnrdy]

Looks good Dave!

Hey..what kind of connecter is that green thing? Do you have a link? I want to check that out.

[italianguy63]

You know Dave, one of those GE testers with a cheap digital voltmeter built in would be helpful.   

[davent]

Looks good Dave!

Hey..what kind of connecter is that green thing? Do you have a link? I want to check that out.

Spring actuated, 2.5mm spacing (as opposed to the typical 5mm) terminal block, found them at Digikey.

Lots of different position numbers available. Out of stock but someone's bound to have similar.

http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/1990025/277-1796-ND/950924

You know Dave, one of those GE testers with a cheap digital voltmeter built in would be helpful.  

Simple enough to just plug one into the side jacks.

[italianguy63]

Larry-- let me check tonight, but I may have some connectors like that lying around I will never need.  You can have them (pay the postage).

Dave, I have about 3 of those segmented chinese voltmeters.  Would be cool just to build into the enclosure.  (Maybe when I have time).

MC

[armdnrdy]

Thanks for the info Dave.

They're in stock at Mouser:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Phoenix-Contact/1990025/?qs=sps7W/wBcGGPb/JpKOjqZA==

Mark, yeah...check to see if you have some of these.

I use what most of us use for transistor testers (SIL sockets) but they're a pain to get the leads in at times!
this looks like a better option!

Hey look Joe....this thread is working! 

[italianguy63]

I'll PM you later tonight..  MC

[deadastronaut]

@dave,

i remember 'chromesphere paul' making a resistor sub from these decimal thumb wheel switches..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZIMEuWF3Uo


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Pcs-KM1-0-9-Digital-Decimal-Coded-Pushwheel-Switches-Black-22mm-x-8mm/190838327492?_trksid=p0.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D23345%26meid%3D7852353123523748698%26pid%3D100204%26prg%3D9920%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D281350659135


there's always this too..   (bug the missus for a prezzie )

https://scientrific.com.au/product.php?p=77

[armdnrdy]

Okay....Where is Paul?

We have to give him an award for the longest video (10:41) showcasing a resistor decade box ever!

He didn't even plug in a guitar! 

[deadastronaut]

  

[davent]

@rob, Yes that's the video, thanks for tracking that down!

Haven't stumbled across a listing or any info for the parallel decade switch and took much head scratching before it dawned on me what to use them for. The caps were just close common values, 1, 2.2,3.9 & 8.2, ideals 1, 2, 4 & 8.

Plug in a power source=>plug in pedal, measure mV drop across the 1ohm resister which equals the current demands of the pedal.




Trouble shooting, siren chip (SMD) for output and a 386 amp in a box.




Test rig, ideas cherry picked from Jacob's (JMK) test rig.




Copy of Electrosonic's solution for breadboarding with pots. And if you rip those plastic covers off the Tayda pots you connect the terminals blocks together.



Last, maybe... if you're building tube amps it's recommended to do a headphone test to determine the quietest position/orientation for the power and output transformers relative to each other. Hook up the OT secondary to your headphones, position the PT on your chassis, apply power to the PT and listen to your headphones while you move the OT around on the chassis listening for the quiet.

Put a little fused box together to organize the wiring needs rather the gerry-rigging something each time, and for safety- use a terminal strip to stow each of the PT's secondary wires.

Box is also handy for powering/testing un-utilized transformers.




... anally yours

[vigilante397]

Dave, you're kind of my hero.

[Focalized]

Not really shop nor tool but some good thick packing foam makes a good work space.

[greaser_au]

Not really shop nor tool but some good thick packing foam makes a good work space.

If you can, try to get the pink stuff PE closed-cell foam... it is non-static.

david

[deadastronaut]

much prettier too..

[italianguy63]

It looks like all the soldiers lined up on the hill ready to charge, like in "Braveheart."  But, the pike-men go in front.

MC

[armdnrdy]

Now if we could only get these little "men" to jump in the appropriate holes legs first so we can relax, put our feet up, and watch, while sipping a nice cold beer! 

[duck_arse]

( who would like to see a photo of me as a pike man, period mojo correct, an all, anyone? )

[armdnrdy]

( who would like to see a photo of me as a pike man, period mojo correct, an all, anyone? )

"this thread is for sharing your best shop tips or cool & special tools that make building and repairing easier & faster.

please share!" Joe Gagan

Duck....if the photo of you dressed as a pike man fits into the category of "cool and special tools," then by all means post it! 

[duck_arse]

well I certainly look like a tool in the photo.

[italianguy63]

I love this place.