C18Q1 Learn electronics and build a pedal

Philtre · January 2018

So it's time to move onto phase 2 of the challenge - building the Timmy clone proper in an enclosure with pots, knobs, sockets, switch and vero board. This is where I'll need more help as I haven't used vero board before, or drilled holes into enclosures.

So here's what I think I need with some questions...

1x 10k log pot
2x 50k log pot
1x 1M log pot

Do these need to be splined or round shaft pots? Presumably 16mm with solder tags.

2x mono jack sockets - I guess any will do?
Power LED - what size and how/where do I fit it in the case?
2.1mm DC chassis socket - again where to put this? On the back or the side?
Vero board (strip board) what size is best, how do I cut it and how do I cut the tracks?
3PDT switch - any suggestions on good quality ones?
Enclosure - is a "1590B" aluminium one the right one?
4x knobs - any suggestions? I was thinking of "1510" style
1x DPDT on-off-on mini switch for the diode clipping options

Did I miss anything?

I won't be using a battery with it, and I'm basing it off the diagrams here - http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/paul-cochrane-timmy.html

m_c · January 2018

Most of what you need, you need in panel mount versions i.e. you drill a hole in the panel, then whatever the component is gets held to the panel with a nut.
You probably don't want PCB mount, as it relies on the PCB to hold it in place, which requires accurate drilling, and someway to secure the PCB to keep things lined up. Although you can use panel mount items to hold the PCB in place, if you direct mount them I.e. solder the pots directly to the PCB, then the pot shaft/nuts will hold the PCB in place.

Danny1969 · January 2018

The cheapest next day delivery supplier for enclosures, pots and stuff is CPC.co.uk. If you can wait 2 days for delivery then it's free.
I actually buy my pots direct from China as I use a lot and the price is greatly reduced. The downside is the wait, roughly 2 weeks so I tend to order every few days, that way I have a steady stream coming in

Here's an option I came up with for veroboard in a pedal the other day, I drilled a footswitch sized hole in the middle of the board and built the circuit around it ..... in situ the footswitch holds the board via 2 rubber washers and one nut then the footswitch has one nut against the inside of the enclosure and one nut on the outside so it's not gripping the veroboard directly.

Image: http://thesuperheroesonline.co.uk/vero-for-switch.JPG

Note the reduced component count when you design using a dual supply ... that board above contains 2 x balanced micophone preamplifiers, a 4 channel stereo mixer and a headphone amplifier

I rejigged the format after giging that version for a while, this is the current version built

Image: http://thesuperheroesonline.co.uk/U-Mix1.JPG

Image: http://thesuperheroesonline.co.uk/U-Mix2.JPG

Adam_MD · January 2018

For pots yes 16mm with solder tags will be fine for your purposes as for the shaft type that depends on the knobs you want to use push on or grub screw. Personally I like solid smooth shaft then knobs with a grub screw but that’s personal choice.

For the rest I’d go for these if you’re buying from bitsbox

Mono jack sockets
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=225_226_294&products_id=1558

3mm red led or whatever colour you prefer
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=172_176&products_id=1338

3mm led bezel. If you use a pcb for your switch you can connect the led that way and don’t necessarily need a bezel unless you want one.
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=172_239&products_id=1815

2.1mm dc socket where you put it depends on whether you use a pcb for your switch or not I do for neatness and easiness
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=225_232&products_id=1701

Vero - it’s the biggest they sell but really cheap and will do a few pedals
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=238_244&products_id=1858

3pdt - it’ll work... for a while but I prefer the alpha 3pdt or optical switching
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_128&products_id=890

1590b any of these will be fine. I like the powder coated enclosures so I don’t have to paint anything.
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=1590b

Dpdt toggle -
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=116_127&products_id=879

You’ll also need some wire if you don’t have some
https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200_202&products_id=2937

Hopefully that’s everything ;-)

Adam_MD · January 2018

@Danny1969 that sir is fookin cool.

Philtre · January 2018

Thanks, guys! I'm on it...stay tuned... :-)

Philtre · January 2018

I think I may get the parts from Tayda. ;-)

Quick question for the wise - I'm thinking of getting these 1510 knobs - http://www.taydaelectronics.com/potentiometer-variable-resistors/knobs-8688/knob-davies-1510-clone-black.html They have a 6.3mm shaft diameter. So, when ordering pots, do I need 6mm or 6.35mm shaft diameter?

Danny1969 · January 2018

6mm is standard, the .3mm is clearance taken up by the screw

Philtre · January 2018

Thanks @Danny1969 ;; Tayda only seem to do a 6.35mm pot for 1M - https://www.taydaelectronics.com/potentiometer-variable-resistors/rotary-potentiometer/logarithmic/a-1m-ohm-logarithmic-taper-potentiometer-round-shaft-solder-lugs-11879.html wonder if I can squeeze that in?

Danny1969 · January 2018

6mm is standard on spline pots, that one is smooth so yeah should fit 6.3mm knob with screw perfectly. Good price too

Adam_MD · January 2018

It’ll fit fine.

Danny1969 · January 2018

@Adam_MD is this the Alpha one you use ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpha-Taiwan-3PDT-Footswitch-with-Solder-Lugs-/253111548438 ;

Seems no dearer than the other one !

Philtre · January 2018

This is the one I'm thinking of ordering - https://www.taydaelectronics.com/3pdt-stomp-foot-pedal-switch.html

Adam_MD · January 2018

Your link wouldn’t open for me @Dannny1969 when I have to use a 3pdt I use these. From the description it looks like the same page you linked.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpha-Taiwan-3PDT-Footswitch-with-Solder-Lugs/253111548438?epid=2198267762&hash=item3aee9fba16:g:LG0AAOSwkklZndUX

Philtre · January 2018

Or momentary - https://www.taydaelectronics.com/3pdt-stomp-foot-pedal-switch-momentary.html

Is momentary better?

Or maybe I should spend more on a better quality one?

Adam_MD · January 2018

No momentary will turn off when you lift you up your foot you need latching.

Oh and I’d add 3pdt to the list of things I said not to get from tayda. They’ll work just not for very long

Those alphas I linked to above have been pretty good so far I haven’t had any fail on me yet.

Philtre · January 2018

Right-o, I'll get some better quality 3PDTs from somewhere else.

The Tayda shopping list so far consists of:

Enclosure
Knobs
Pots
Strip board
3mm LED and bezel
2.1mm power jack

Philtre · January 2018

I've ordered a couple of those Alpha 3PDTs from eBay. Better to invest in good quality for that part.

Adam_MD · January 2018

Philtre said:

Right-o, I'll get some better quality 3PDTs from somewhere else.

The Tayda shopping list so far consists of:

Enclosure
Knobs
Pots
Strip board
3mm LED and bezel
2.1mm power jack

They’ll all be totally fine from Tayda. I always gets my knobs and pots from tayda and order everything else in bulk from cpc, farnel or rs components depending on who’s cheapest.

Philtre · January 2018

Hmmm, now wondering about the enclosure. What do folks think about the cheaper enclosures vs. Hammond branded ones? From what I can see the Hammonds are better quality but more expensive. Is it worth the extra?

Also, I'm pondering on using a unibit step drill bit set to do the drilling.

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C18Q1 Learn electronics and build a pedal

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