PPCB Increment Drive (Barber FWW Plus)

[bluedmc777]

Build Rating

5.00 star(s)

Here we have the next of last of 2 Barber pedals I’ve left to build. This time we have the FWW Plus. Not quite sure why it’s called “Plus” because it isn’t “Plus” on anything lol. What it is though is a great boost, eq, to low gainer based off the Boss OD-1. Maybe I just answered my own question…because it can be used as all 3! However at the moment I’m preferring it as a low gainer. Works well as a stacked into another pedal as well. While this pedal isn’t going to aw you with gain I think it’s a nice always on or utility pedal even. I recommend it for a quick build. I absolute hate working with pedals that have multiple switches as I always have a hard time getting my drill holes to line up properly. Probably because I just hold the enclosure in my hand over the trash can while I drill the holes…no accidents yet! But I’ve always had good luck with the Barber pedals.

 

[OD is Glorious]

I drill mine the same way. I found that the step bit is best for jacks and footswitch. I have not looked into these Barber pedals, but I love switches so I probably need to build one.

 

[bluedmc777]

I use a little 1/8” drill and drill the pilot holes after they’ve been center punched. I then swap to the step bit and eyeball it.

Barber pedals are great but I do find a little bit of overlap in some of them. He replaces pots with switches at set values ALOT. I’m just out of Bjorn Juhl and Marc Skreddy circuits to try lol

 

[MattG]

I always have a hard time getting my drill holes to line up properly. Probably because I just hold the enclosure in my hand over the trash can while I drill the holes…

That's impressive! I use a drill press and a multi-step process: make a dent with a center punch, drill a pilot hole, use a step bit for the right size. I used to skip the pilot hole step and often had mis-aligned holes. That you can just hold the enclosure and get nice holes with a hand drill... I repeat:

 

[OD is Glorious]

That's impressive! I use a drill press and a multi-step process: make a dent with a center punch, drill a pilot hole, use a step bit for the right size. I used to skip the pilot hole step and often had mis-aligned holes. That you can just hold the enclosure and get nice holes with a hand drill... I repeat:

yes, I only recently began using the step bit, I used to bust my knuckles.
Now I use a jig, an automatic center punch, a pilot hole, and then I use a drill bit for the LED hole and the 9/16th potentiometer holes. After that the step bit makes short work of the footswitch hole and holes for jacks. Then I debur, sand the enclosure with 800, add the decal, and finally clear coat.

Also before drilling I print a copy of my decal and then make sure I have potentiometer holes 1 cm above pot labels and 1 cm away from my design's border. This is so I can use a 20mm knob if I want.

I dip my bit in oil before every drilled hole - otherwise the aluminum clogs and fouls out the drill bits.

It all starts to feel like a ritual but I enjoy going through the process. Love having jigs

 

[bluedmc777]

That's impressive! I use a drill press and a multi-step process: make a dent with a center punch, drill a pilot hole, use a step bit for the right size. I used to skip the pilot hole step and often had mis-aligned holes. That you can just hold the enclosure and get nice holes with a hand drill... I repeat:

My process is the same as yours just holding it in my hand. Center punch flat on table, then move to above the trash can to do pilot holes, then swap to the step bit. Just keep the enclosure parallel and fingers out the way lol. I have a drill press I’m just not man enough to use it.

 

[owlexifry]

My process is the same as yours just holding it in my hand. Center punch flat on table, then move to above the trash can to do pilot holes, then swap to the step bit. Just keep the enclosure parallel and fingers out the way lol. I have a drill press I’m just not man enough to use it.

same. hand-vise, hand-drill.

i have a bench vise, but it's almost 100 years old and a PITA to use for this purpose, where it's just so much quicker and easier to hold it down on the bench with your hand for punch, pilots, and final.