Reply With Quotepickup your solder iron off ebay :D
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=4660
I picked up a nice station for under $30
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Hey Guys,
I've been lurking on these boards for a while now, and have decided it's about time I got involved myself.
First, I'd like to compliment this forum on being a great resource. There's a alot of knowledge and people are very helpful.
Secondly, I'll have to admit my total newbie status to DIY. I have never used a soldering iron, etc. I have read through alot of web information on electronics though and have begun reading a college level textbook on electronics. I'm picking up the basic info so far and it's going well.
Along with the introduction, I have some newbie-ish questions. I'd really like to get started with some DIY projects of my own, but I'm a little hesitant to jump head first into some of the projects here, which seem a little advanced. My idea has been that I would start by doing some of the DIY guitar pedal projects listed on the Geo Effects site (www.geofex.com). This way I could get some skill soldering and building my own stuff, and then later move on to the more advanced projects here. Plus I'd have some nice homemade effects to play with in the meantime. Is this a good idea? Will I really be gaining relevant skills or is it smarter to just dive into some of this projects here?
If this is a good way to go, I'm going to have to start getting materials. I have basic tools, but I'm going to have to purchase everything else. So I'll need a soldering iron. Seems like the general consensus is to go with the Weller, and right now I think I'm going to go with the 30 watt model, which I can get for between $30-40 and will probably be good enough for a while. I will also take others previous suggestions on the 60/40 solder.
For building a PC board, I think I will initially purchase a PC Board kit, as it will include all the material I need to get started and will include instructions. Seems like a good way to get started.
The rest of the materials, I assume are dependent upon the project.
I'd really be grateful for any advice you guys could give me. I'm a little nervous about starting but I think everything will go well.
I'd like to thank everyone again for making this forum such a great resource. I'm looking forward to spending some time here.
-Gogolplex [img]graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]
pickup your solder iron off ebay :D
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=4660
I picked up a nice station for under $30
First welcome to RO/Techtalk.
Building a guitar effect as a first DIY project is always good. Most of them are really simply and you can learn the basic stuff while doing it.
Another good choice as first project would be building a power supply.
You can find infos here:
http://www.recording.org/users/kev/PS.htm
Normally they are easy to build and a very good point is that you always need them for building other stuff like mic preamps. Just make sure you build the right one.
My first attempt (and that's what i recommend to you) was the power supply from the green mic preamp. It supplies +15V,-15V and 48V.
With having build this you are ready to build a mic preamp like the Green mic preamp (again recommended) and have a nice first DIY mic preamp which sounds good and is quite cheap (no expensive switches and transformers).
On sourcing the parts: Take your time and make sure you understand what you select. The basic values are always descripted (like how many uf a cap has and how big the voltage is that it can take) but also make sure it's the right size, that is if you are working with PCB's where the size of components isn't variable.
If you ever get stuck here is the place to ask for help since there are so many people here with great knowledge and if you build one of the popular projects here (like the Green, SSL, G1176 and so on) there are plenty of people who successully builded those and can provide you help.
Flo
Welcome gogolplex!
I'm not sure which one you're thinking of buying, but DON'T GET THE RADIO CRAP ONE! It's like 15 bucks for two small boards, a Sharpie, some (really weak) FeCl3, alcohol and a 1/16" drill bit which is way too big. I would strongly recommend that you make yourself a light box and do it the right way from the start. There's info, links, etc. on Kev's Group DIY site.Originally posted by gogolplex:
For building a PC board, I think I will initially purchase a PC Board kit
Yesterday Fallout was telling me about the press-and-peel stuff (PnP Blue or something...) Supposedly it's pretty good, specially for small boards like guitar pedals, so you can try that also.
Have fun!
Al.
"A computer without a Microsoft operating system, is like a dog without bricks tied to its head."
Thanks for everyone's help!
I took a look at the Green Pre Mic Pre-amp, and the power supply and they didn't look terribly difficult. I'll probably do an effect or two and then start that project. Thanks for the tip Infernal.
Scenaria - thanks for the e-bay tip. Just a quick question. I noticed the Weller you linked me to was just the iron, and does not have the full soldering station. Would I need the full station and how much would it cost to get it?
ALK - I was thinking of something along the lines of the Radio Crap kit, but I'll take your advice and either use the PnP blue or the lightbox. I had heard about the Radio Crap kit from another site, and they why I checked here. Thanks for your help.
The projects will probably get started in a week or two. I'm sure I'll have plenty of problems once I start, lol.
Thanks again!
Welcome!
Guitar pedals was the way I got sucked into this. Great fun and simple to do. I suggest a good distortion like a tube screamer or a Big Muff cause they're easier to troubleshoot. Press-and-Peel works great with a little practice. For pedals I use (don't laugh) Avery sticker backing (the slick part - not the sticker) or , even better, the backing for FedEx pouches. They're FREE! They don't work so well for larger layout though. Just lazer print on them and then iron onto the PCB just like cheap Press-n-Peel.
If you want a more studio oriented project then try Peter's Green pre.
If you plan on doing a bunch of stuff then the Radio Shack kit is a bit expensive and, yes, that drill bit is way too big. On the other hand that's what I used the first time and it got the job done, I guess.
I moved up to studio gear because it's more challenging and It's always great to have recording gear! Dan Kennedy once said to me "you can only talk about which opamp makes your Tube Screamer sound better so many times".
kent
tubey or not tubey...
That's exactly what I did, built a guitar pedal and am now working on the Green Mic Pre. Just to clarify on the Radio Shack kit, I used it once and it does work. The problem is that it costs twice what it should, and the etching solution is so weak it takes about three times as long as it should to etch the board.
Good luck, and you're not the only newbie around here... :D
Welcome to ALL the newbies around here.
[img]graemlins/wave.gif[/img]
Kev
DIY Factory
Welcome gogolplex! Careful! This stuff is addictiveI started my first project with no previous experience a short while ago and the guys here have really helped so much. If you ever want to tackle the G1176 project let me know. I have created a web page for begginers who know absolutely nothing about building audio gear and who want to take a shot at putting together the G1176.
Good luck.
Hey Orson, what's the URL?Originally posted by orson:
I have created a web page for begginers who know absolutely nothing about building audio gear and who want to take a shot at putting together the G1176.
Peace,
Al.
"A computer without a Microsoft operating system, is like a dog without bricks tied to its head."
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