|
|
Post by jcoutu1 on Jul 31, 2013 8:47:41 GMT -6
Hey All, New DIY'er here. I ordered a pair of VP28's while they were in stock and planned on having a friend build them until I found the build thread. The instructions look really clear, so I'm gonna give it a go. I soldered a couple small pcb's for crossovers (this kit... www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-642 ), but that's my only real experience soldering and it was a few years back. I've got a few questions to get me up and running. First off, is there an easier project that I should start with to get a little practice in? Something cheap or less cramped? Is a Hairball / MNATS 1176 any easier? Maybe a cheap DI kit or something to get my soldering back up to speed? If there are no better (more useful) suggestions, I think I might grab this... buildyourownclone.com/effects-pedals/confbooster.htmlNext, what tools do I need? I just ordered a Hakko FX888D station. What else do I need? Solder, mult, tips, etc? Is there a kit of equipment that I should grab? Thanks for your help everyone! -Jesse |
|
|
|
Post by svart on Jul 31, 2013 8:58:25 GMT -6
I wouldn't call an 1176 a beginner's project. It's easy to build but it needs some calibration and adjustment to get just right. the Classic API kits are pretty easy and bulletproof for beginners.
Solder: rosin core. You'll also need acetone or alcohol to clean the rosin but I find rosin makes much nicer solder joints than flux.
Tips: buy a few replacement tips. That Hakko iron is decent but the tips will wear out a bit faster than some of the much more expensive irons.
Solder wick: Get some. Rosin wick about 3/16" wide is good all-purpose.
Solder sucker: Get a cheap one to start out. Building a kit is easy, removing parts to fix stuff is a lot harder. I find sucking solder out of through-holes to be one of the worst parts of soldering.
Tweezers: Get a couple pair of medical tweezers, maybe a couple hemostats too. You don't really want to hold that resistor in place while soldering if you intend to keep your fingerprints.
|
|
|
|
Post by gouge on Jul 31, 2013 9:00:59 GMT -6
i'm in the same boat as you although a can solder. I hadn't done it for a while. so I got my chops back making cables and tinkering with my guitar pedals. then I bought a couple of these kits. pedalparts.co.uk/after that the lola I built from scratch and it was all very easy and straight forward. the instructions are so simple. it's the meter boards where things get a little tight. the tip is to place the iron on the pad/component and then apply the solder. let the solder run. then stop. that is the only way to do it. I've got a full kit of tools. you will need. multimeter. - a good one solder wick small needle nose plyers small side cutters. wire strippers - get good ones. small sockets and driver Philips head screw driver blade screw driver magnifying glass with led desk lamp those are the tools i'd recommend straight up. you get what you pay for so don't skimp. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 2:21:30 GMT -6
I posted in another thread about starting with a CAPI VP26. Very easy, great value and it is fantastic sounding unit. I use it on snare all the time before other great pre's I have.
It is SO well documented by Chunger it almost feels like he's holding your hand.
It was my first build and it worked first time. It gave me all the confidence I needed. I would second the comment that the Hairball 1176 is a little more difficult than it might appear. The wiring might be a little tricky for a first timer.
The Hakko iron is great - good choice.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 2:26:30 GMT -6
Btw. I cannot recommend this tool (or similar) enough. Sometimes I like to just look at it and marvel it's genius. Great for striping trannie leads with confidence!  |
|
|
|
Post by bentley on Aug 3, 2013 16:22:56 GMT -6
I started with the Seventh Circle kits with only experience in soldering cables. The instructions were easy to follow and I quickly built up a set of A12s and a single N72 in no time flat. I've got a rev A Hairball kit that's been sitting for a while and it looks to be a bit more complex. Agree with Pace that the wiring appears to be a bit tricky once you dig into the details. Just haven't had the time or energy to tackle it. I need to get rid of it or get it built.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2013 2:11:50 GMT -6
I started with the Seventh Circle kits with only experience in soldering cables. The instructions were easy to follow and I quickly built up a set of A12s and a single N72 in no time flat. I've got a rev A Hairball kit that's been sitting for a while and it looks to be a bit more complex. Agree with Pace that the wiring appears to be a bit tricky once you dig into the details. Just haven't had the time or energy to tackle it. I need to get rid of it or get it built. If you want to sell it I am very interested and will pay a reasonable price!  pace |
|
|
|
Post by allbuttonmode on Aug 9, 2013 14:59:32 GMT -6
You can't go wrong with a CAPI VP25/26/312. They're dead easy to build, and the VP28 will be familiar when you start on those.
|
|
