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Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: pickdropper on May 27, 2018, 11:21:47 AM

Title: The MacGuffin
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2018, 11:21:47 AM
A buddy of mine wanted a Klon and a Bluesbreaker circuit in a single box.  I didn't have a mini Bluesbreaker PCB, so I laid one out for this.  It's still not one of my favorite circuits, but I think I like it better paired with a Klon than a second Bluesbreaker.

The theme of the pedal was not mine, but I find it pretty funny.  He picked out the graphic as well.  I basically just implemented his vision, although the layout of plate graphics was mine (but fairly obvious, really).

Sorry for the lousy pictures.  I only had a short time before delivering it to him.  It was bright and sunny, so any direct shots had way too many reflections.  Thus, the weird side angle shots.

(https://i.imgur.com/s8VVLJc.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/jXWRcVG.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/qbuBhWL.jpg)
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: stringsthings on May 27, 2018, 11:30:00 AM
Fantastic!
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: JackSkellington on May 27, 2018, 01:34:21 PM
Amazing pedal! ;)
What exactly is that plate? And how did you work it and got graphic and text on it? :o
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: woolie on May 27, 2018, 01:55:39 PM
Looking at how well you do your innards, I would give a lot to watch a video of you putting something like this together.

Beautiful work.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: LaceSensor on May 27, 2018, 03:00:44 PM
unreal
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2018, 04:34:43 PM
Quote from: JackSkellington on May 27, 2018, 01:34:21 PM
Amazing pedal! ;)
What exactly is that plate? And how did you work it and got graphic and text on it? :o

It's a reverse etched laser engraved acrylic plate.  Basically, I take a sheet of clear acrylic, paint one side of it black (or any color, really).  Then I engrave it with the graphics reversed (and then cut out the shape and the necessary holes).  I then flip it around so all the paint is protected by the acrylic itself.  It can scratch or get smudged, but the actual artwork is well protected.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2018, 04:44:55 PM
Quote from: woolie on May 27, 2018, 01:55:39 PM
Looking at how well you do your innards, I would give a lot to watch a video of you putting something like this together.

Beautiful work.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I don't have a video (and it'd be a long video), but I do have some photos.

I start by mocking up the graphics.  This is my first pass at making sure the hardware fits.  Occasionally I rush too much and it doesn't, so I try to take my time here.  I'll usually print out a copy and place the hardware bits in place along with the boards.

(https://i.imgur.com/sZ9TDLn.jpg)

Once I'm reasonably confident it's going to fit, I drill the enclosure.  Nothing fancy with this.  I'm currently drilling on a borrowed $60 Craftsman drill press.  Cheap, but effective.  The bigger deal is the Hougen mini hole cutters.  Those are worth their weight in gold.

(https://i.imgur.com/YODNv4u.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/rPulDBJ.jpg)

Now, with the holes drilled, I dry fit the parts and check it over.

(https://i.imgur.com/5z1agXt.jpg)

It looks good, so I start wiring up the pots with ribbon cable

(https://i.imgur.com/MGcpwKm.jpg)

Getting closer.  Some of the wire still needs to be trimmed to the final length, but you can see how it is going to fit together.

(https://i.imgur.com/GXLtrNY.jpg)

On the Switch PCB for the Klon, the LED is off to the side (because the layout is for a 1590a enclosure).  I needed to get a bit funky with the LED.  I could've just glued it in place, but I didn't feel like it.  I had to extend the legs a bit, but it worked fine.

(https://i.imgur.com/GBFUswF.jpg)

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of the next stage, which involves me wiring up the I/O and power jacks before the boards are wired in.  At that point, everything is in place, except the boards, which then are just soldered to the ribbon wires that have already been routed and are just waiting to drop in.  You can't see it in the photos, but there are some cut acrylic pieces under the PCBs that are used as spacers.  I hold them in place with 3M VHB tape specifically designed to be used with aluminum.

At this point, the boards get wired in and we're good to go.  Unfortunately, if you want to change anything (which in this case I did), it's usually very difficult to do any work without moving around some of the wiring.

(https://i.imgur.com/J9d3COh.jpg)



Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: ahiddentableau on May 27, 2018, 05:07:46 PM
Love your wiring.

Are you using ribbon cable ripped into 3-wire sections?  What's the deal (and source) of that?  Very neat looking.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: woolie on May 27, 2018, 05:11:46 PM
Long video or not, I would pay to watch the whole thing. Thar be gems in there fo' sho'.

Great write up. TY


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2018, 05:15:32 PM
Quote from: ahiddentableau on May 27, 2018, 05:07:46 PM
Love your wiring.

Are you using ribbon cable ripped into 3-wire sections?  What's the deal (and source) of that?  Very neat looking.

It's Amphenol Spectra-Strip 3-conductor ribbon cable.  I get it from Mouser.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2018, 05:15:56 PM
Quote from: woolie on May 27, 2018, 05:11:46 PM
Long video or not, I would pay to watch the whole thing. Thar be gems in there fo' sho'.

Great write up. TY


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks, I appreciate that.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: blearyeyes on May 27, 2018, 06:46:40 PM
Talented. I can't even think like that. Much less build like that. Beautiful pedal.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: drog_trog on May 27, 2018, 07:00:03 PM
Top build
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: cooder on May 27, 2018, 08:29:04 PM
Absolutely top notch off the scale. As per Dave's standards...  :o
Very nice tutorial on your process. Most excellent.

And I'll put a laser engraver on my Xmas wishlist.
I don't think I will have been good enough for that though...
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: oip on May 28, 2018, 02:35:31 AM
thanks for the explanations!  might have to steal that ribbon cable technique it looks so neat

amazing pedal also
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: matmosphere on May 28, 2018, 12:28:17 PM
Nice!! Your stuff never ceases to impress.

It's funny, I've never thought of the ark as a MacGuffin, the rest of the movie is so great I just forget what they're looking for and enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: Leevibe on May 28, 2018, 06:00:58 PM
This is so beautiful. This is the nicest gut shot I've seen for a long time.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: diablochris6 on May 28, 2018, 10:30:50 PM
Wonderful job. Very well thought out.

Pedal with the ark of the covenant on it? Let's see some internal shots!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/a9uGhT7WoO0p2/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: pickdropper on May 29, 2018, 11:36:21 AM
Quote from: diablochris6 on May 28, 2018, 10:30:50 PM
Wonderful job. Very well thought out.

Pedal with the ark of the covenant on it? Let's see some internal shots!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/a9uGhT7WoO0p2/giphy.gif)

This happened to me the first time I opened it.  I'm still feeling a little raw.

Thanks for all the kind words everybody.  I appreciate it.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: m-Kresol on May 29, 2018, 04:57:34 PM
nice work as always. impressive wiring skills
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: culturejam on May 29, 2018, 05:05:53 PM
Damn, Dave.
Title: Re: The MacGuffin
Post by: nzCdog on June 02, 2018, 06:27:17 AM
Inspiring! Fantastic build Dave  8)