What’s on *YOUR* workbench?

DIY 8" 2-way acoustic guitar/Dojo speaker, converted from 6.5" + horn bass/PA midrange top box:

8inch_twoway.jpg

I eventually tracked down an eight inch driver from Fishman that is perfectly happy in a small sealed box and is specifically built for this sort of application. The 18 Sound horn and BMS neo compression driver are crazy overkill but I already owned them and had a decent high pass filter already built for them, so smoke 'em if you got 'em. :cool:
 
Actually had some spare time the last few days to a) measure how long each wire needed to be, b) cut and strip them and bin them by size, c) attach and solder to the board. About 8 hours. I'm slow, arthritis and all. It's been a long time since I built an amp and I'm getting back into that groove.

Wires attached to circuit board.jpeg

Something I did this time that I haven't done before, I made some rulers in Visio and used them to virtually measure the length of the wires I needed. Tested the first few and it worked like a charm! To like the 16th of an inch. I strip each wire to 3/8" of an inch on each side, and used that to come up with the size needed. On the layout below you can see the numbers next to the turret that represent the length of wire needed.

This was just for the wires attached to the board phase, I'll be measuring the rest of the wires and recording them for future use as I start the integration into the chassis phase. Just in case I decide to build another one, and for posterity.

5F6A TE 59 Bassman v07.10.23.jpg
 
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RetiredUnit1 said:
Actually had some spare time the last few days to a) measure how long each wire needed to be, b) cut and strip them and bin them by size, c) attach and solder to the board. About 8 hours. I'm slow, arthritis and all. It's been a long time since I built an amp and I'm getting back into that groove.

View attachment 71554

Something I did this time that I haven't done before, I make some rulers in Visio and used them to virtually measure the length of the wires I needed. Tested the first few and it worked like a charm! To like the 16th of an inch. I strip each wire to 3/16" of an inch on each side, and used that to come up with the size needed. On the layout below you can see the numbers next to the turret that represent the length of wire needed.

This was just for the wires attached to the board phase, I'll be measuring the rest of the wires and recording them for future use as I start the integration into the chassis phase. Just in case I decide to build another one, and for posterity.

View attachment 71555
Click to expand...
Nice clean work! And greasy job on the wire measuring! I tend to go long and then have to trim, so this could be a game changer! ESP when you are a glutton for punishment like I am- I normally use 18awg solid hookup wire!
 
RetiredUnit1 said:
Actually had some spare time the last few days to a) measure how long each wire needed to be, b) cut and strip them and bin them by size, c) attach and solder to the board. About 8 hours. I'm slow, arthritis and all. It's been a long time since I built an amp and I'm getting back into that groove.

View attachment 71554

Something I did this time that I haven't done before, I make some rulers in Visio and used them to virtually measure the length of the wires I needed. Tested the first few and it worked like a charm! To like the 16th of an inch. I strip each wire to 3/16" of an inch on each side, and used that to come up with the size needed. On the layout below you can see the numbers next to the turret that represent the length of wire needed.

This was just for the wires attached to the board phase, I'll be measuring the rest of the wires and recording them for future use as I start the integration into the chassis phase. Just in case I decide to build another one, and for posterity.

View attachment 71555
Click to expand...
I love it. I’m seriously considering converting the HRDX I picked up.
 
Giorfida said:
Nice clean work! And greasy job on the wire measuring! I tend to go long and then have to trim, so this could be a game changer! ESP when you are a glutton for punishment like I am- I normally use 18awg solid hookup wire!
Click to expand...
I usually just use it for the heaters and main power hookup points, but did you know that the rating for 22ga is good enough to do an entire amp? I know someone who did that and no problems with heating....

I switched to 20ga for the heater cuz pain in the butt especially with my arthritis in my fingers. Gonna stick with 18ga for grounding and power to avoid any potential Johnson-Nyquist noise on really hot days......

I copy the ruler so I can paste as many copies as I need.... So much easier than peering into a tiny effing chassis with a 6" ruler.... Or having to hold the ruler up over the chassis 'cus it won't fit inside in the angle you need!!!!!
1711477135042.png
 
RetiredUnit1 said:
I usually just use it for the heaters and main power hookup points, but did you know that the rating for 22ga is good enough to do an entire amp? I know someone who did that and no problems with heating....

I switched to 20ga for the heater cuz pain in the butt especially with my arthritis in my fingers. Gonna stick with 18ga for grounding and power to avoid any potential Johnson-Nyquist noise on really hot days......

I copy the ruler so I can paste as many copies as I need.... So much easier than peering into a tiny effing chassis with a 6" ruler.... Or having to hold the ruler up over the chassis 'cus it won't fit inside in the angle you need!!!!!
View attachment 71606
Click to expand...
Oh I know the 18 is overkill. Even the classic Fenders etc only used 20 and 22g cloth covered.
I will say the smaller wire was easier to work with (last 2 builds I did with cloth covered for the experience only… and it was nice). I know I used the 18 in the past since it looked good, was overbuilt, and would stay in place. Then I realized, no one really cares if it looks like Harry Joyce wired it or if it was done by line workers.
Still will likely use 18 on my next few builds though since I still have a lot of it here lol
 
Giorfida said:
Oh I know the 18 is overkill. Even the classic Fenders etc only used 20 and 22g cloth covered.
I will say the smaller wire was easier to work with (last 2 builds I did with cloth covered for the experience only… and it was nice). I know I used the 18 in the past since it looked good, was overbuilt, and would stay in place. Then I realized, no one really cares if it looks like Harry Joyce wired it or if it was done by line workers.
Still will likely use 18 on my next few builds though since I still have a lot of it here lol
Click to expand...
I have a shit ton of it as well, lol.... I need to make a few dozen amps before buying some 20ga....

I grew up making jewelry from wrought and lost wax casting sterling silver. It's what drives me to make things as straight and attractive as possible. Not a profitable way to build, but then *I'm retired* lol.....

I built 6 DR504's but instead of Harry's name I put my "mark"'/initials on it (hmm.... #4 needs cleaning):

DR504 Initials.jpeg


DR504 Gutshot.jpeg
 
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RetiredUnit1 said:
Actually had some spare time the last few days to a) measure how long each wire needed to be, b) cut and strip them and bin them by size, c) attach and solder to the board. About 8 hours. I'm slow, arthritis and all. It's been a long time since I built an amp and I'm getting back into that groove.

View attachment 71554

Something I did this time that I haven't done before, I made some rulers in Visio and used them to virtually measure the length of the wires I needed. Tested the first few and it worked like a charm! To like the 16th of an inch. I strip each wire to 3/8" of an inch on each side, and used that to come up with the size needed. On the layout below you can see the numbers next to the turret that represent the length of wire needed.

This was just for the wires attached to the board phase, I'll be measuring the rest of the wires and recording them for future use as I start the integration into the chassis phase. Just in case I decide to build another one, and for posterity.

View attachment 71555
Click to expand...
I love that bench clamp/vice/pcb holder/3rd hand thingy you have on your bench. That thing is awesome!
 
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