Hi All, I have a pre-amp on my bench that is 98% complete with only 32% left to go. The designing and making the chassis is the fun part for me. I like them to look like little sculptures, but dang, I just have a hard time getting the wiring done. I don't know why, but I hold off on jumping into that part of the project. I can read schematics easily and correctly and have been soldering for years. I have all the necessary test gear and know how to use it, but hold off, compulsively, on the wiring.
Why is that?
Any guesses?
Why is that?
Any guesses?
Same here for some reason. I solved it by designing my stuff to be mostly one board devices. I detest (excess) wiring and all the time consuming work to make it tidy. Finding the right type of cable is not one of my favorite pastimes either. Then when the device is ready some audio friend comes along and says: "hey, why did't you tell me ? I have a few meters gold plated silver wire for you" 🙂
Had the same with connectors but after years of desoldering wires from PCBs with free damage and peeled off PCB tracks that came with that I got wiser and bought crimping tools and use connectors. Never had problems since.
Had the same with connectors but after years of desoldering wires from PCBs with free damage and peeled off PCB tracks that came with that I got wiser and bought crimping tools and use connectors. Never had problems since.
Last edited:
I have the complete opposite problem: I have several wonderful fuldt working amplifier experiments lying around, some on vero and some on proper pcb's...but I hate building or working on the chassis.
Too bad we aren't on the same continent.
Too bad we aren't on the same continent.
All of your creations amaze me as complete works of art!
I have no such talent. Nor am I particularly good at building amps which work (I'm not bad at building amps which don't work). But I do enjoy the challenge. For me, soldering is a form of meditation. Of course, so is my martial arts training, so I guess I'm a bit on the weird side.
For me I love to build amp but, I hated when it's hum and I can't get rid of it and have to leaving it tangle for 4 year now haha.
Wow I too am the polar opposite, I hate the chassis metal work but I like the soldering and wiring. I sit there and procrastinate on drilling for days until I build the courage. I am a mechanic by trade and I hate drilling and tapping, I actually do a good job at it but I hate doing it. I just had to fix a Dodge Durango w/ a 4.7L, the exhaust manifold bolts rot out and break off, I love spending the afternoon drilling in a confined area with a drill that can break my wrists.
Lately I want to look into learning some sort of CAD program so I can just send out a file to a company to make me a chassis.
Lately I want to look into learning some sort of CAD program so I can just send out a file to a company to make me a chassis.
Hello,
The metal work is my job so that is ok. But somewtimes i get irritated because some part suppliers dont have the proper knowledge to give good advice or are not willing to give it.
greetings, Eduard
The metal work is my job so that is ok. But somewtimes i get irritated because some part suppliers dont have the proper knowledge to give good advice or are not willing to give it.
greetings, Eduard
I've used these guys and like them. Download their free CAD program and use it to draw your part and email it to then. Turnaround is quick.
Custom Online CNC Machine Shop | Free CAD Software
I am still struggling with the first sentence of this topic... 98% ready + 32% togo... my math is screwed... heelp?!
Oh, that just the way of thinking, yeah!
My current project is 70% to go, but I'd rather think it's 90% ready )) that is one good excuse to observe the workbench from... laying on the couch.
Oh, that just the way of thinking, yeah!
My current project is 70% to go, but I'd rather think it's 90% ready )) that is one good excuse to observe the workbench from... laying on the couch.
Its a common psychological phenomena - I am a victim too.
It comes down to wanting to be 100% "right" or having a perfect outcome first time. If you want this compulsively, the disappointment of a build that hums or doesn't otherwise perform as designed or expected is such a comedown you reach a point of paralysis when even starting.
Its a common problem with students that have high expectations for themselves and an oversized sense of loss following a failure. They tend to be the ones with intellect and great ideas, but poor exam results. Too scared to commit to the paper in case its not 100% right.
It comes down to wanting to be 100% "right" or having a perfect outcome first time. If you want this compulsively, the disappointment of a build that hums or doesn't otherwise perform as designed or expected is such a comedown you reach a point of paralysis when even starting.
Its a common problem with students that have high expectations for themselves and an oversized sense of loss following a failure. They tend to be the ones with intellect and great ideas, but poor exam results. Too scared to commit to the paper in case its not 100% right.
I'm very relaxed about building - I'm not a perfectionist. For years I've used a modular system with a number of top plates in 4mm aluminium. All are 275mm front to back, and I usually use 100mm, 70mm or 50mm widths. So I can easily take a plate out and put another in, and I'm always re-cycling past projects. I attach them to horizontal rails from 19" subracks, usually 420mm but I also use shorter widths. So I have nice looking 2U height anodised aluminium front and back. Sides are wood, and screw in with 4 bolts. It's all easy and fun - like building Meccano.
I use the soft grade of 4mm aluminium so it all drills easily, and I use hole saws. I can finish a top plate easily and wire it all up before bolting it into the chassis so everything is easy to work on.
I enjoy building - it's relaxing. I'm a psychologist so in my head a lot, and it's so nice to use one's hands and do practical things. And I love designing and working out how everything fits as I go.
I use the soft grade of 4mm aluminium so it all drills easily, and I use hole saws. I can finish a top plate easily and wire it all up before bolting it into the chassis so everything is easy to work on.
I enjoy building - it's relaxing. I'm a psychologist so in my head a lot, and it's so nice to use one's hands and do practical things. And I love designing and working out how everything fits as I go.
Not me!
While not fond of the metalwork, I have the ability to do it fairly well. The real fun however, is the electrical assembly. I switch on some music, get some drinks and snacks, fire up the soldering iron, and see if I can make my project “neater” and better (electrically) than the last one I built. By the time I get to the assembly, the layout and pc boards are completed and it’s time to start the fun!
I enjoy it so much that I built a tube power amp for a friend, and didn’t charge him for any labor. The circuit that he wanted had some serious shortcomings that had to be addressed after completion. That made it far more time consuming than planned, but I learned a lot in the process.
I’ve been doing this sort of thing for over 50 years, and still learn new things every time I undertake a new project. That always makes the effort worthwhile!
While not fond of the metalwork, I have the ability to do it fairly well. The real fun however, is the electrical assembly. I switch on some music, get some drinks and snacks, fire up the soldering iron, and see if I can make my project “neater” and better (electrically) than the last one I built. By the time I get to the assembly, the layout and pc boards are completed and it’s time to start the fun!
I enjoy it so much that I built a tube power amp for a friend, and didn’t charge him for any labor. The circuit that he wanted had some serious shortcomings that had to be addressed after completion. That made it far more time consuming than planned, but I learned a lot in the process.
I’ve been doing this sort of thing for over 50 years, and still learn new things every time I undertake a new project. That always makes the effort worthwhile!
Good point aard. With macanical things I know I can fix any problem but I don't know how to trouble shoot electronics that we'll and I do want it to turn out well the first time.
The most dangerous is to underestimate already lethal DC voltages ....
Certainly when current is always enough to start a human heart fibrillating. Your heart does not notice much difference between 250 or 600V at 10 mA.
Certainly when current is always enough to start a human heart fibrillating. Your heart does not notice much difference between 250 or 600V at 10 mA.
Last edited:
- Status
- Not open for further replies.