Point to point soldering "Dead Bug"-style

[migraneboy]

Hello!

Incase you haven´t heard of deadbug construction, its a PCB-free way to construct circuits thats  done by supergluing the components on a flat surface UPSIDEDOWN so all the pins are sticking up into the air and then soldering the necessary connections between them. One site recommended the method and said its OK for pedals. Altough he cemented his circuits in epoxy.. 

Has anyone done any pedal circuits with this method. Im of course interested in the possible effects of this technique on the sound of the circuit, esp. if I want to make a more complicated effect with lots of connections and components. What type of wire would be most suitable for the connections in a guitar pedal ( I understand that resistance might become an issue..)

Reasons why I want to try this method

1. I don´t want to spend money on ready made PCB´s, or the equipment to make them.
2. I don´t mind that the endresult will be a little bigger or more ugly
3. I don´t mind that it might be prone to breaking ´cos I use these things only in a "controlled studio enviroment" ( =home)

So, anyone tried/heard/know/guess something?

[petemoore]

Incase you haven´t heard of deadbug construction, its a PCB-free way to construct circuits thats  done by supergluing the components on a flat surface UPSIDEDOWN so all the pins are sticking up into the air and then soldering the necessary connections between them. One site recommended the method and said its OK for pedals. Altough he cemented his circuits in epoxy..  
Once it's working and everythings secured...why not?
Has anyone done any pedal circuits with this method.
  Limited amount. I started using perf soon after.
  Im of course interested in the possible effects of this technique on the sound of the circuit, esp.
  The only real difference I can think of is ground planing is easier/more possible to get close to the circuit wirings using a board...no ground plane is fine...often/sometimes.
if I want to make a more complicated effect with lots of connections and components.
  I would use something with copper pads, PCB for bigger projects, if everythings connected right though...it has to work.
   What type of wire would be most suitable for the connections in a guitar pedal ( I understand that resistance might become an issue
Reasons why I want to try this method
  24 Ga. wire, stranded...or
1. I don´t want to spend money on ready made PCB´s, or the equipment to make them.
2. I don´t mind that the endresult will be a little bigger or more ugly
3. I don´t mind that it might be prone to breaking ´cos I use these things only in a "controlled studio enviroment" ( =home).
So, anyone tried/...yupp...got frustrated with some endless problems...then opted for something with copper pads...but never tried copperless perfboard...an option you may want to consider...reusable!
  heard/know/guess something?
 
 

[Ronsonic]

No reason not to. I got familiar with the technique years ago, from DIY hifi nuts who call it "airboard."

You get zero leakage and the build is as good as your layout skills. If you're going to put it in a box and stomp on it, then potting it is a good idea. But if it will otherwise live in a rack or table top enclosure then just tie some standoffs onto the ground buss and mount it that way.

Ron

[R.G.]

Dead bug style as well as many others and a relative evaluation of the styles has been available for a long time for readers of GEO (http://www.geofex.com).

See "Effects Prototyping Techniques" under "Tech Tips" at GEO - http://geofex.com/Article_Folders/protostyles/proto_styles.htm

[puretube]

there`s a company in my vicinity,
that offers a similar computer-aided service, commercialy.

Kinda "CA-WireWrap"...

[StephenGiles]

Potential birds nest I should think!

[puretube]

worse: rectangular twigs... 

[petemoore]

  Can't use sockets...er can ye?
  I thought about doing 'all the other stuff' and glueing the sockets sized [depending on how many sockets I wanted] chunk of perfboard into about the same size [slightly smaller so it'd glue right]...board..all the non-socket wiring done...however...
  One trick I haven't tried is dowel rod circuit, holes in a dowel rod to make a 'circumpheral' [?word] circuit on a...buncha resistor diameter holes drilled into a dowel, using the resistors bodies as 'stays'.

[migraneboy]

Thanks for the advice and link!

I just ordered the parts (exept PCB) for a Ampeg Scrambler clone for little over 20 euros.. and should start construction in a few days.
Really seems like it´s a matter of good layout planning, like you said.. Just have to be pacient and keep checking my work often as I go along.  We´ll have to see what kind of a "birdsnest" I come up with, maybe I´ll post a pic.

Crazy how much you can save.. the new Ampeg Scrambler costs over 300 euros in europe. Without having to pay for a PCB and using fleamarket stuff for the chassis I can have the bastard TEN TIMES cheaper. Got to love it!

[Ronsonic]

Part of the fun is that you can easily plan your build in three dimensions instead of two. Play with it and exercise your brain a little.

Ron

[R.G.]

Really seems like it´s a matter of good layout planning, like you said.. Just have to be pacient and keep checking my work often as I go along.  We´ll have to see what kind of a "birdsnest" I come up with, maybe I´ll post a pic.

Just remember when you're done that you have a fragile three dimensional construction of soldered wires that is easily bent out of shape or broken. It would be well to read about the "hanging garden" style of prototyping in the GEO article and take the suggestion to get it running, then ruggedize it by potting it in a block of casting resin so it will continue to work and a dropping accident won't waste the hours you spent making it in the first place.

Crazy how much you can save.. the new Ampeg Scrambler costs over 300 euros in europe. Without having to pay for a PCB and using fleamarket stuff for the chassis I can have the bastard TEN TIMES cheaper. Got to love it!

There is a cost to everything, and the cost is not always money. I'm at a point in my life where I value the hours I have to spend on something almost as much as the money. It probably depends on what you feel like you have the most of.

[Meanderthal]

 I kinda like the idea of dead bug style potted with epoxy(or something similar). Kinda like making your own big clunky IC. I can imagine it becoming an indestructable brick of a thing, possibly even to the point of not needing an enclosure at all- maybe use plastic jacks & of course sealed pots, do it in layers and even including embedded foil shielding, so you have a stompbox that's like a solid plastic brick.
Nah, I think I'm getting carried away...