Verifying ALL Etcher's Paradise projects

[copachino]

Is shipping to Canada more then 2$ 

i guess its about  10 USD not big deal, but im no so sure how long it would take, pm your address please to get it on the way tomorrow

[alparent]

Little update.

OK did a bit of soldering today. Actually took a couple of pictures! (I know I like pictures, thought you might like some to.)

First, a family picture.


Then work on the DRJR,
Inserted all of the components I presently have at hand.


Now the bottom side!


Now all soldered and trimmed.


A couple of remarks,

1. After soldering 6 boards now, I can say that applying the protective coat of clear really help with solder bridges.

2. One thing about Brian's boards is that he uses ground planes. This is a good design thing but can be a PITA if you are new at etching or soldering. Ground plane dissipates the heat a lot quicker the normal traces (this is why "thermals" are used). But if you etching is not up to par, these "thermals" are not doing the job they are suppose to do. And depending on the soldering iron you have, might be harder soldering these since the copper is stealing the heat from your iron.

3. Even worst for novice builders are solder bridges (when you solder in touching/bridging to other traces where they shouldn't. (This is one of the main failing points of novice builders.) And with a ground plane surrounding your pads ...... it's a lot harder not to bridge, specialy when you start soldering and you tend to put to much solder.

One way Brian could help is to widen the space between the traces and the plane.
You don't care about that with fabricated board because you have the solder mask. But on etched boards, more space could save a lot of people a lot of grief.

Sure hope he is reading this!

4. Finally, the drill size. Don't drill to big! The bigger you drill, the more solder you need to use, because you need to fill the gap between the copper pad and the component lead. And the more solder you use the more you risk solder bridges. Don't use to much solder, let the heat and the flux do their work!

Ok that's it for now. Said it was a little update, not a little post! 

[davent]

Alain a #70 drill bit will cover just about everything you'll use on pedal pcb, a #64 will cover the rest such as big diodes and 22awg wire. #70 in carbide or any carbide bit is super delicate, have to work with care and attention.

Boards are coming along nicely!
dave

[alparent]

Thanks Dave,
Where do you get your drill bits?
I used #68 but broke my last one doing this 
Add to finish with a #65.

I also use carbide. They are more fragile, but pour HSS bits don't stand a chance againts FR4 boards.

[stevie1556]

Great update, you've done a lot of work on them very quickly (which is good as I'm following this thread!

Are you going to box them all up as well or just the ones that you really like?

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

[alparent]

Great update, you've done a lot of work on them very quickly (which is good as I'm following this thread!

Are you going to box them all up as well or just the ones that you really like?

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

Yes, things are moving along pretty good. (I'm having a blast doing this.)

As to if I'm going to box them all? I don't know? Haven't planned that far. 
Was thinking of putting them all in one big enclosure and calling it "Paradise". 

[davent]

Hi Alain, i had a confederate in Pennsylvania who i'd send difficult, (as in crazy expensive to import, crazy minimums, etc.) orders to so bought a bunch of carbide bits from DrillBit City. My brother was frequently going down to visit him so easy to get from Penn. to me.  Getting to the last few of those bits, last time i checked around, Small Bear looked like the best option, he had the selection and you can buy as few or as many as you want and it's not a special order from another place you have to pay shipping from, tack it on an order for many other things that are likely needed.

dave

[madbean]

One way Brian could help is to widen the space between the traces and the plane.

I hear you, but it is unlikely. The isolation pour is 28mils on all the EP stuff and it would be difficult to get it much wider than that without having to make some compromises on PCB size. But, the nice thing about single sided designs is that it very easy to hit a spot with some solder wick if it looks sketchy.

[copachino]

One way Brian could help is to widen the space between the traces and the plane.

I hear you, but it is unlikely. The isolation pour is 28mils on all the EP stuff and it would be difficult to get it much wider than that without having to make some compromises on PCB size. But, the nice thing about single sided designs is that it very easy to hit a spot with some solder wick if it looks sketchy.

Brian, could it be possible to get the soldermask layer??, im tying to give away my soldermask since i got like too much and it was supposed to be used by 10-2015, so im trying today if the mask its still good, but if its good, the soldermask layer will be so helpful

[alparent]

No I'm not on drugs, and I know this is an unreasenoble demand.

I for sure don't want to sound ungratfull for all the tromendus work Brian is putting into this.

But having access to the eagle files would allow us to do what ever modifications, layer extractions we wanted without asking Brian all the time.

[madbean]

But having access to the eagle files would allow us to do what ever modifications, layer extractions we wanted without asking Brian all the time.

I understand where you are coming from but this is not something I am willing to do. Releasing the Eagle files isn't just releasing them to the members of this forum, it's releasing them to the entire world. Too much opportunity to abuse.

On the positive side, if you verify all those projects (or at least build them) I've got something extra special to send you to say thanks

[alparent]

I'm glad to see that others are also verifying projects.
So I won't have to verify them all after all.

Putting the ones already verified aside and concentrating on the others.

Got a workout bench and powerblocks last weekend, so this week was "make space for this new stuff someware"

Did have time to build a bit. Waiting on parts.

[alparent]

Just to say that this project of mine is stile going on.
Now that Brian stopped posting new projects, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel 

Between bathroom renovations and weekends at the camper, thing or slowly getting done.

[GKShop]

Any updates on your epic journey alparent et al?

[alparent]

It is moving along ..... slowly.

Finished the basement bathroom, now half done with the main floor one.
(NEVER renovate 2 bathrooms at the same time! Very stupid idea!!!)

I'm also out at the camper most weekends (I REALLY like pedal building ...... but on the lake fishing tromps everything!)

Most of the boards are like 90% done. Some are missing one or two componants (created a spreadsheet to track that).
Hi will need to place an order for those parts soon.

Then it's simply a question of wireing the pots and switches, then hook them up to my testing rig.

Not sure I'm going to box all of these? Might sale some of them pre-populated?

Will sure post more progress pictures as I go along.

Thanks for asking. I'm so slow at this, wasn't sure nobody cared anymore!?

Any board in particular that was interesting you?