How to get started

[boywonder]

Carter: As mentioned the Weller WES or WESD51 irons are great choices. They have loads of tips available, and I would suggest Ebay or Craigslist for a good clean used one. Used they are easily less than $100. The only difference between the two is the "D" model has a digital readout, which you don't need. The non-readout model has a dial with temps on it, and is less $$. I have both, and use the basic one as my main iron, works great. The stock chisel tip will probably be what you want, or very close.

Pick up some 63/37 solder; it melts like butter and is easy to work with. IMO, it's easier to work with than 60/40. You can buy small quans of Cardas quad eutectic on ebay for less than $10.

Another good cheap investment is a set of clip leads for you meter. You can do hands-off live testing with these; much safer than probing a live amp with a hand held probe. Read the safety sticky here if you haven't done so already.

Finally, if there isn't one already installed, add a 220K-470K or so 2W bleeder resistor across at least one of the caps in the power supply. These will allow the voltage in the PS caps to quickly drain down when powered off.

[VictoriaGuy]

Originally Posted by carter840

I was hoping to keep the chassis and box of the davis, so this seems like it might be a little more tinkering than I was hoping.

I guess I feel that I could easily swap some old components for new ones and then change some wiring or add a new circuit, but I don't have the details on what needs to be done and lack the knowledge and understanding to figure it out myself.

All of you help is very appreciated.

You definitely have to do some learning before attacking your project - we all did/do. Perhaps this hobby is not where you want to spend your time? Every hour with the soldering iron is an hour less playing music, etc.

Also, you can pretty well forget about saving a lot of money (vs buying a tube guitar amp), since every new hobby has tool and parts (inventory) costs. Most experienced builders already have the tools and supplies they need and a well-equipped parts box, so the project cost seems low.

For me, it is easier to build a simple circuit 'from scratch' with new components and a bare chassis, than to modify an existing circuit for a new purpose.

[carter840]

Alright well I have had some bad news come up in the family recently so I don't think I will have the free time to even start this project, which is why I've been off this site/thread for a while.

Is there anyway I can use this Davis Model 106 to power a 2.0 system using a preout from a modern audio/video receiver? I am hoping that I can do this without modification, or just replacing a couple old caps?

Thanks