Finishing Pedals

[chris.knudson]

I'm relatively new here, but I was wondering if there is a thread or discussion board about finishing pedals (i.e. applying graphics, etching, screen printing, etc. I've built a couple dozen pedals now. I'm decent at soldering (getting better with every build) - I'm excellent at desoldering (made my share of mistakes and learned a lot, so if you need advice, I'm your guy) - I'm ok with circuits (learning every day), but I suck at finishing pedals. Is there a place on this forum where I can learn tips, techniques, and tricks of the trade for producing professional looking pedals -- please help.

 

[Diynot]

There are several tutorial threads out there here’s one:
https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/enclosure-waterslide-decal-tutorial-journal-tips.17499/
I know there are at least two by Gaurdians of the Analog one on no film waterslide and even one for Tayda uv finishing but I’ll let you dig around the forum for those, only the first one is free

 

[Locrian99]

I really wish I wouldn’t bought 30 different colors of spray paint for painting enclosures and just bought the powder coated ones from Tayda since the beginning. I probably would’ve saved money and countless hours. Maybe a few brain cells too.

As far as graphics go the waterslide works pretty well. But I could never get the wow I see frok the uv printed ones. I am currently working through the winter soldiers (guardians of the analog) and figolfens tutorials on those. Good tayda uv printing and the YouTube videos for winter soldiers pops up. He shows how to do it using affinity which is nice if your work doesn’t provide you an Adobe subscription you never use for work lol.

 

[chris.knudson]

There are several tutorial threads out there here’s one:
https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/enclosure-waterslide-decal-tutorial-journal-tips.17499/
I know there are at least two by Gaurdians of the Analog one on no film waterslide and even one for Tayda uv finishing but I’ll let you dig around the forum for those, only the first one is free

Thank you. I've been using waterslides for almost all of my builds. I recently tried Avery 4397 Glossy Sticker Project Paper, which at first seemed to be ok, but way too many bubbles in the finish -- for the record, I do not recommend this for powered coated enclosures. I've watched a lot of videos about etching, but that seems a little caustic for me. Lately, I'm interested in laser etching -- anybody had any success with that?

 

[owlexifry]

lol ive been here for a bit and i still suck at finishing pedals.
im one of those sad cunts that just punches a few dymo labels and calls it a day.
might start looking into this film free waterslide stuff though... if i can avoid the bullshit stringent requirements of a UV print I might actually have a chance at building a barely acceptable pedal one day

 

[Locrian99]

lol ive been here for a bit and i still suck at finishing pedals.
im one of those sad cunts that just punches a few dymo labels and calls it a day.
might start looking into this film free waterslide stuff though... if i can avoid the bullshit stringent requirements of a UV print I might actually have a chance at building a barely acceptable pedal one day

I’ve got a few dymo pedals. At some point I got inspired by @MichaelW and just remember on overdrives top left is volume top right is gain. Etc etc.

I’ve spent probably 2-3 hours now trying to figure out illustrator. Making some headway hoping to do a basic uv here with my next tayda order.

 

[Diynot]

Thank you. I've been using waterslides for almost all of my builds. I recently tried Avery 4397 Glossy Sticker Project Paper, which at first seemed to be ok, but way too many bubbles in the finish -- for the record, I do not recommend this for powered coated enclosures. I've watched a lot of videos about etching, but that seems a little caustic for me. Lately, I'm interested in laser etching -- anybody had any success with that?

There have been a few here using laser engravers. Here’s one
https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/lightburn-and-a-laser-engraver-question.14191/
I have attempted electro etching with some success, but getting a good voltage source was a bit of an issue for me.

 

[chris.knudson]

I’ve spent probably 2-3 hours now trying to figure out illustrator.

I know how to navigate illustrator, but I don't feel like that's helped me. It's just really hard to get a good finish on pedals.

 

[Locrian99]

I know how to navigate illustrator, but I don't feel like that's helped me. It's just really hard to get a good finish on pedals.

If you’ve got and got illustrator skills uv printing is probably the way to go.

 

[chris.knudson]

If you’ve got and got illustrator skills uv printing is probably the way to go.

I have thought about trying UV printing at Tayda - I just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[peccary]

Someone created a really awesome, in-depth tutorial for no-film waterslides. Wonder whatever happened to that guy?

 

[GizzWizzKing]

That guy went ahead and had all his priceless information removed from the site............

 

[Vicious C]

There have been a few here using laser engravers. Here’s one
https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/lightburn-and-a-laser-engraver-question.14191/
I have attempted electro etching with some success, but getting a good voltage source was a bit of an issue for me.

I’ve had success with my laser engraver, the buy-in is at least 500$-1000 dollars tho.

 

[KR Sound]

There’s also a huge thread dedicated to Tayda UV printing around here somewhere.

 

[chris.knudson]

I’ve had success with my laser engraver, the buy-in is at least 500$-1000 dollars tho.

Awesome stuff. I know it's not cheap, but I've been curious if it's worth the investment. Which laser engraver are you using? What's its wattage?

 

[chris.knudson]

I’ve had success with my laser engraver, the buy-in is at least 500$-1000 dollars tho.

Your pedals are beautiful, btw...

 

[Guardians of the analog]

That guy went ahead and had all his priceless information removed from the site............

 

[Vicious C]

Awesome stuff. I know it's not cheap, but I've been curious if it's worth the investment. Which laser engraver are you using? What's its wattage?

It’s worth it if you’re interested in lasering other stuff too, I use it for wood projects and guitars. I started with a Pergear S10 (10w) and it worked OK and got the job done, as long as I wasn’t engraving Sand Textured enclosures from Tayda, so I upgraded this year to Atomstack S20 Pro (20w) and it works amazing, I couldn’t be happier, especially getting it for 500$ on eBay

 

[chris.knudson]

It’s worth it if you’re interested in lasering other stuff too, I use it for wood projects and guitars. I started with a Pergear S10 (10w) and it worked OK and got the job done, as long as I wasn’t engraving Sand Textured enclosures from Tayda, so I upgraded this year to Atomstack S20 Pro (20w) and it works amazing, I couldn’t be happier, especially getting it for 500$ on eBay

Awesome. That's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. I have been looking at 10W lasers, and I wasn't sure if I would be satisfied with that or not.

 

[Vicious C]

Awesome. That's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. I have been looking at 10W lasers, and I wasn't sure if I would be satisfied with that or not.

Yeah I’d definitely go for the 20w it’s worth it!