Got into DIY pedal building...

[PMcG No.6]

Been a while since I've posted here. I'm sure you'll figure out why. I've been busy with my new obsession. If any of you people hang out at BYOC, Freestompboxes or DIYstompboxes, I'm sure you've seen these already. I'm hoping to get a vid demoing the Obsidian Gaze up soon. If I do, I'll make sure I get a link in here. Anywho.. thought I'd share with everyone, so enjoy....

My first build: Wampler "Cranked AC" PCB(OD effect supposed to emulate a cranked AC30. sounds great) in my own enclosure.



I rehoused it recently in this, but haven't gotten good pics of it yet.



My second build: Started as a '70 Fulltone clone, but couldn't get the circuit to work right. Still working on it. Right now it has a Guild Foxey Lady(fuzz) circuit with a Big Muff tonestack in it.



My most recent monster: The circuit inside is called "Hot Silicon"(kinda fuzz/dist) by Doug Hammond. Sounds great! Really diggin' it.



Have several in line and lots of graphic ideas already waiting. Gonna start on a Way Huge Red Llama soon. I'M HOOKED!!

-Chad

[Pwozzie]

Nice!

I've built a few, but I suck at drilling/planning. I haven't built one in like 6 months, but probably will continue in the winter.

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by Pwozzie

Nice!

I've built a few, but I suck at drilling/planning. I haven't built one in like 6 months, but probably will continue in the winter.

Thanks!

What probs do you have with the drilling? I use Gimp for all my graphics and templates. What I do is measure the face of the enclosure I'm going to use and make a template for that. I'll place guides on this template for knobs, LED's, switches etc. and design my graphic around it. Then when I have my enclosure sanded and ready for drilling I print just the template, tape it to the enclosure and use either a punch or a philips screwdriver(what I use) and tap the center of the knob placements etc. to make a mark on the box where you need to drill. ALWAYS use pilot holes if you don't have a drill press(I don't)! I use a 1/8" bit. This will keep the bits from jumping, wobbling and making odd sized holes. It's a lot easier than guessing or measuring and penciling on the enclosure's surface. I can send you an example of a template if you'd like. Just shoot me a PM.

I think I enjoy creating graphics more than assembling the pedals.

[Beerdog80]

I like the Devils Footprint. Nice work brother!

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by Beerdog80

I like the Devils Footprint. Nice work brother!

Thanks, man! When I get home I'll try to get a good pic of it put together. Lighting in my house sucks. It's either too dim or reflects too much off the pedal.

[Pwozzie]

How do you get the graphic on the enclosure? I'll have to try the pilot hole idea.

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by Pwozzie

How do you get the graphic on the enclosure? I'll have to try the pilot hole idea.

I print my graphics on HP inkjet transparencies and use clear coat to adhere it to the pedal. Spray an even coat of clear on the surface and center the graphic. With the transparencies you'll have a little play time to move it. Then you clear coat the entire thing. Let it dry and repeat about 4 times or until satisfied. You'll want a good coat over it all to make sure it's sealed. I usually do at least 4 of clear.

The white pedal's graphic is on semi-gloss photo paper though. That stuff stuck immediately. So if you go that way try to center the graphic over the enclosure before laying it on the clear.

[xsouldriverx]

i just ordered 4 kits from BYOC. (3 fo me, 1 for another member)
i cant wait to get them built and get to design them.

[xsouldriverx]

if youre drilling metal you HAVE to use a punch and make a pilot hole. start with smaller bits then work your way up. thats how i have had the most success drilling metal with a hand drill.

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by xsouldriverx

i just ordered 4 kits from BYOC. (3 fo me, 1 for another member)
i cant wait to get them built and get to design them.

Cool, man! Which kits did you grab? You hang around the forum there? I haven't purchased a BYOC kit yet. I've been working on vero the last 3 circuits I've done.

Originally Posted by xsouldriverx

if youre drilling metal you HAVE to use a punch and make a pilot hole. start with smaller bits then work your way up. thats how i have had the most success drilling metal with a hand drill.

I learned that the hard way. I hear people using a unibit a lot for drilling holes in pedal builds.

[xsouldriverx]

i got the shredder, digital ping pong, and the opticomp for me. a mighty mouse for a forum member here. im a member but i dont really post or look there. i jsut use it to see the mods for the pedals.

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by xsouldriverx

i got the shredder, digital ping pong, and the opticomp for me. a mighty mouse for a forum member here. im a member but i dont really post or look there. i jsut use it to see the mods for the pedals.

Cool. Good luck on those builds.

Here's a finished pic of the rehouse I did on my first build. Not the best picture. The LED's are both red:

[rodneyk915]

Nice work! I am waiting for my first pedal. Another guy had ordered some and they sent him the Analog Delay kit by mistake so I was able to get that one from him. So yeah, naturally I had to get one of BYOC's most difficult pedal to start off with

Question on your labeling. Was there a reason you went with transparencies instead of waterslide decals? I'm trying to get things together before the pedal kit arrives and I had planned on using decals.

[Volusia]

Nice quality work on the design and graphics.

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by rodneyk915

Nice work! I am waiting for my first pedal. Another guy had ordered some and they sent him the Analog Delay kit by mistake so I was able to get that one from him. So yeah, naturally I had to get one of BYOC's most difficult pedal to start off with

Question on your labeling. Was there a reason you went with transparencies instead of waterslide decals? I'm trying to get things together before the pedal kit arrives and I had planned on using decals.

Thanks!

No reason for going with transparencies. Just liked how they looked and decided to try that first. I've seen lots of nice pedals with the water slides too. I've never used waterslides so I don't know how versatile they are as far as what you can put on them.

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by Volusia

Nice quality work on the design and graphics.

Thanks! I just made a new graphic last night for another pedal. My wife probably gets irritated because once I get an idea I can sit at the computer for hours designing something until I'm satisfied with it.

[05jrock]

Nice job on those mate

[SiriusAbbott]

very cool
Now,if I could just get one of you wirehounds to make me the equivilant of the Scholz Rockman in a pedal,all would be right in the world

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by 05jrock

Nice job on those mate

Thanks, J.

Originally Posted by SiriusAbbott

very cool
Now,if I could just get one of you wirehounds to make me the equivilant of the Scholz Rockman in a pedal,all would be right in the world

Thanks. Uh.... this thing?

[SiriusAbbott]

Originally Posted by PMcG No.6

Thanks, J.




Thanks. Uh.... this thing?

uhmm....actually.....yes
with a true bypass switch....that would be...the bomb

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by SiriusAbbott

uhmm....actually.....yes
with a true bypass switch....that would be...the bomb

Never had one. I'll have to see if anyone has something like that on one of the forums.

[FF_Pedals]

It's a monster.

[PMcG No.6]

Pass....

[kingofnima]

Hey PMcG
Great work!!
where did you get the layouts for your builds?
I really would love to build a couple. A cold winter is coming up so loads of time..
do you know any good websites with layouts and such?
thanks

[FF_Pedals]

diystompboxes
freestompboxes
buildyourownclone
generalguitargadgets

[PMcG No.6]

Originally Posted by kingofnima

Hey PMcG
Great work!!
where did you get the layouts for your builds?
I really would love to build a couple. A cold winter is coming up so loads of time..
do you know any good websites with layouts and such?
thanks

Thanks!

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

diystompboxes
freestompboxes
buildyourownclone
generalguitargadgets

That'd be the ones!

[whateverlikesgadge]

Originally Posted by SiriusAbbott

very cool
Now,if I could just get one of you wirehounds to make me the equivilant of the Scholz Rockman in a pedal,all would be right in the world

Just get one of the old ones and re house it in a metal casing with an activation footswitch. true bypass is done like this....

[kingofnima]

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

diystompboxes
freestompboxes
buildyourownclone
generalguitargadgets

Thank you Sir!!