Workflow for design and ordering

[Grubb]

Hey folks, the Basic Workflow for building pedals thread is amazing, it's so helpful for someone who is still at the start of their pedal building adventures.

I'm finding that enclosure design, organising and ordering components is taking far longer than actually building the pedals does. Does anyone have any workflow tips for any part of the process between selecting a PedalPCB board and starting a build? Cheers.

 

[Danbieranowski]

Hey folks, the Basic Workflow for building pedals thread is amazing, it's so helpful for someone who is still at the start of their pedal building adventures.

I'm finding that enclosure design, organising and ordering components is taking far longer than actually building the pedals does. Does anyone have any workflow tips for any part of the process between selecting a PedalPCB board and starting a build? Cheers.

Buy larger amounts of common components than your current build calls for. Order through Tayda so you can get good prices and fast shipping. If you live in the US they do ~4 day shipping through DHL. Buy other parts through StompBoxParts or Love My Switches, as they usually ship same day. You can also buy resistor and capacitor kits that come with a bunch of common values.

 

[Barry]

For me I have to do the enclosure drilling and artwork first, if not it'll never get done, I keep pretty simple mostly doing basic lettering and occasionally some artwork, from there it's a breeze as I have a pretty good stock of components, and just order any odd part whilst populating the boards

Edit: I also make it a point to read through any build, troubleshooting or modification threads before starting the build

 

[Dali]

My own moto (do whatever fits you!) is to NOT start building unless the artwork is done and put on the enclosure.

If not, I end up with circuit not boxed or put in plain enclosure and never done...

So I use that "law" to kick my own ass to make sure I finish my projects.

Also, I'm a Tayda guy, 97,5% of my parts are from there. Remember when you order painted enclosures to remove paint from the 1/4 jacks so it's metal on metal there.

I'm still a newbie after 31 PedalPCB done, don't listen to me.

 

[knucklehead]

My own moto (do whatever fits you!) is to NOT start building unless the artwork is done and put on the enclosure.

If not, I end up with circuit not boxed or put in plain enclosure and never done...

So I use that "law" to kick my own ass to make sure I finish my projects.

Also, I'm a Tayda guy, 97,5% of my parts are from there. Remember when you order painted enclosures to remove paint from the 1/4 jacks so it's metal on metal there.

I'm still a newbie after 31 PedalPCB done, don't listen to me.

crap . . . cautionary tale. I intended to only ever build just one - I have speakers and basses to build.

 

[dlazzarini]

I’m

For me I have to do the enclosure drilling and artwork first, if not it'll never get done, I keep pretty simple mostly doing basic lettering and occasionally some artwork, from there it's a breeze as I have a pretty good stock of components, and just order any odd part whilst populating the boards

Edit: I also make it a point to read through any build, troubleshooting or modification threads before starting the build

just like you. I cannot even begin to solder if the box isn’t done. I’m doing 4 boxes now as we speak. I’ve had the boards and parts for months but can’t bring myself to go until boxes are done. The Spatialist I just completed held me up forever. I had writers block and couldn’t come up with any ideas. I’m in a pretty good roll now. Boxes will be done this week and I can get back to the fun part.

 

[Barry]

I’m

just like you. I cannot even begin to solder if the box isn’t done. I’m doing 4 boxes now as we speak. I’ve had the boards and parts for months but can’t bring myself to go until boxes are done. The Spatialist I just completed held me up forever. I had writers block and couldn’t come up with any ideas. I’m in a pretty good roll now. Boxes will be done this week and I can get back to the fun part.

Yes I too usually get inspired and knock out a bunch of designs at once, getting started is the hardest part

 

[peccary]

I use Tayda to order 80 - 90% of the parts I need. I have found their "wish list" system to work very well. I keep a wish list for each PCB I have ordered and fill them in with the needed parts over time (usually while watching TV at night). I keep the printed build docs and my little chromebook next to the couch so I can just grab it whenever I get a little time. The nice thing about the wish listes is that you can move everything over to your cart with the click of the button, but everything actually stays in the wishlist so you can order it again if you need to.

I also buy a lot more than I need. If a board needs three 10u caps I'll buy 10 or 20 I figure why not as most of them are a few cents. It's nice to have extras, especially with 20% parts.

I also use have a Parts Box free account that I use to try to keep a current count on my caps, transistors, diodes, ICs, and stuff like that. It is a bit tedious, but it's a big help in ordering parts as I can just look up to see how many 10u caps I still have from my computer rather than having to go out to the garage and dig through things.

 

[Grubb]

I also use have a Parts Box free account that I use to try to keep a current count on my caps, transistors, diodes, ICs, and stuff like that. It is a bit tedious, but it's a big help in ordering parts as I can just look up to see how many 10u caps I still have from my computer rather than having to go out to the garage and dig through things.

It can't be more tedious than trying to work it out manually and in excel. I'll have to look into Parts Box, great tip!

 

[peccary]

It can't be more tedious than trying to work it out manually and in excel. I'll have to look into Parts Box, great tip!

Just FYI, the free version is on the website but it's a bit hidden. Go to the sign up page and click on "Personal" and it'll be there. It's really handy, and will auto fill info and have the datasheet ready through Octapart (if available). Pretty nice.

Edit to add: I was checking on the mobile version, that's where you can select "personal." The website version has it kinda hidden at the very bottom of the "sign up" page.

 

[fancypete]

I keep an excel file with an inventory of all my parts. When I order a new pcb, I add a column and filter by the parts in the build docs. Then the spreadsheet calculates which parts I need to order. I build the pedals I have parts for first, and when I've accumulated enough parts to justify the shipping cost, I order from tayda or wherever. The nice thing about using an excel file is that I can print a BOM with the parts sorted on it. It makes it much easier to prep for a build. My experience has definitely been that more time is spent prepping than soldering.

For enclosure design I have a secret weapon. My wife does it for me, so can't help you there!

I'm only about 6 months into this hobby though. I think as I start to have lots of parts, I may get lazier about it.