Using Mosfet IRF 510 as clippers?

[Tinker]

Hi.  I have seen a lot of places that one can use the mosfet IRF510s as clippers in a stompbox.  On the other hand it is difficult to say which way they go onto the board, and what pins to use as positive / negative and what pin to omit or connect.  I am not that good with schematics so I was wondering if anyone knew how to connect to the board, let's say a Boss ds1, OD3 or SD1?  And tell in plain language?
Best fro SG.

[petemoore]

  Aren't they kind of huge to stick in a DS-1 ?
  As far as plain language, the data sheet on the device has that, espcially the pinout which..
  You can lift the pin orientation from...uh...one of those shaka's has mosfet clippers, or..I forget exactly where but.
  You'll have to assign the gate and drain and source pins of the IRF510 [using data sheet to identify], to a schematic of the clipping circuit.
  I decided to take 30 seconds on google and dug this up.
  http://www.muzique.com/lab/zenmos.htm
  It looks like the gate/drain are made to be common, that leaves the source as the other side of the clipping component.
 

[Tinker]

Hia and thanks.  I just cut of the gate pin and put to of the mosfets in my Boss OD3.  It worked great, very different sound from other clippers, maybe a bit more consistent, as if it is a real amp cranked up?
SG.

[DougH]

[WGTP]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=38581.0  One of my favorite posts.

There are 2 ways to do it.  The actual Mosfet which has a approx. 2v. threshold and the body diode that is more like an standard SI diode with approx. .7v.  IIRC Aron used the body diode.  If you switch the GE diode around, you get the Mosfet.   

Check here for some diagrahms and info:  http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/WGTP/MosfetDiode.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

One of my breadboard creations:  http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/WGTP/Soft_Knee.jpg.html