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Gnomeratron VTF - a nasty muff with blend: prototype review

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#201
The parts to get the boards built arrive tomorrow.:bassist:

I've been getting enclosures sanded and ready to label/pour. I've just been getting as many confirmations as possible to get as many done at once as I can (It's not harder to pour 10 than it is to pour 5, realistically-- and it saves time and tools.

I have gotten all the board blanks cut out. That was easy because I really, really like bandsaws.

Getting some cleaning done tonight, though. A messy desk is distracting. :bassist:
 
#203
Nothing horribly exciting. Just assembling boards. I did a small redesign to make things look cleaner.

A note on the sockets: They hold well, but you have to make sure to get the components in there real good. The schottkys I got (just ordered the type Smallbear sells) won't work as their leads are too thick, so I'm ordering some different ones. They were cheap (ish), and I'll use them in some other application (of for pedals without sockets). The specific type isn't horribly critical with clipping diodes-- they just need to be Schottkys (for the most part).

I'm building them in small batches. I'll get photos of the boards, enclosures, etc as they're finished.


After the first 12 or so pedals, I won't be using the Hammond enclosures anymore. They come with these horrible machining marks that I have to sand off, and they're moving all production to Taiwan, apparently. I've found some enclosures that are, realistically, just as good. Just a heads up in case you're anal about that sort of thing.
 
#204
Thought I'd pop in with an update (which I've been avoiding):

If all goes well (and it seems to be), I'll ship out at least the first pedal this week. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting on a shipment of Schottky diodes and footswitches (and a couple of other small things), so that may result in some pedals going out in larger batches, instead of just going out as they're done.

ANYWHO. Here's a photo to prove I'm working. Hah.

4896261259_6a98bac2e3.jpg


(photo links to flickr profile and description)

My camera's lens broke, so taking photos has been a pain. >.>
 
#218
Haha. Working on it! Got a lot to get done today. Lots of wiring, some epoxy, sanding. Fun fun.

But, before I get to work, here's what I did first thing in the morning (or noon, in this case).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51572438@N05/?saved=1

The first 3 photos in the photostream show the diode setup. One shows the sockets, one shows the diodes, and one shows the diodes IN the sockets-- complete with descriptions.

Here's the fun bit, though. I tested the sockets out for how well they hold-- by throwing the switch around. Against the wall, into the ceiling fan, bounced against the floor hard enough to to bounce up half way to the ceiling. Oh yeah.

I tested the diodes going both ways with my multimeter from the common (center) lugs of the switch before and after brutalizing the switch-- both times gave the same results (in this case about 3.5 volts).

Instead of soldering the diodes together, I can also use two sockets so you can do each diode individually. Might be able to mix things up that way, but I thought this would be far better most people. Just takes a second to remove the diodes and put a new set in.

Remember to be kind of gentle, though. I'm not one of those people that believes these electronics are super delicate-- they're not. But, still, if you jerk the socket side to side, you could break the solder joint, and if you bend the leads of the diodes enough, like any wire, it will break. Realistically, I don't think either of these is a concern, but try to at least have a modest blood alcohol level when you're changing the diodes and don't let your Neanderthal guitard friends do it for you.
 
#219
McSpunckle said:
Remember to be kind of gentle, though. I'm not one of those people that believes these electronics are super delicate-- they're not. But, still, if you jerk the socket side to side, you could break the solder joint, and if you bend the leads of the diodes enough, like any wire, it will break. Realistically, I don't think either of these is a concern, but try to at least have a modest blood alcohol level when you're changing the diodes and don't let your Neanderthal guitard friends do it for you.
Click to expand...

I definitely just spit hot cocoa all over my screen. THANKS ALOT.
 
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