Last post was a guide for preparing the board for components. Now we can get started on soldering in all the components. This step in the project is pretty strait forward. But there is a lot you can do to make mistakes, as i found out.
So this is where we left off, some cuts and jumpers.
The first group of components to solder in are resistors. The reason for this is because they are the thinest of all the rest / lower profile. Soldering these first makes it easier to solder the the other components.
It's a smart idea to keep the components in the bags they come in. The bags are labeled with the values of that component so you don't get the values mixed up.
So with no further adieu, let's get soldering!
One thing that I found helpful during this step is to cross of the component on the layout. This helped me know what I soldered and what needs to be soldered.
Another tip is to prebend the components so you don't put stress on the leads.
So with all the resistors soldered in, it looks a little like this. There is also a socket for the IC. IC sockets are so easy because you can't overheat the sockets.
This is what mine looked like, not to bad!
The next set of components to solder in are diodes, same ish shape to resistors. I had bought a line of individual sockets and was planing on using those on the diodes. This pedal uses 4 germanium diodes. These tend to be heat sensitive. But I took a shot with soldering and socketing and realized that soldering was easier. I soldered the germanium first.
The next diodes I soldered are silicon diodes, less heat sensitive.
I used a cool looking technique that put the diodes vertically in the board. The reason for this is that the diodes would not fit horizontally. This is a great technique, I strongly suggest it.
The next component are capacitors.
Pre-bending caps are useful as well, it makes a good fit. The bend technique is like the photo below.
At this point in soldering, the solder side of my board got pretty dense. To make sure there were no solder bridges I ran an exacto knife between the strips.
The last components are the polarized caps because they are the biggest (most of the time)
And now this is a populated board with all the components in it.
One thing that I found out during the soldering process is that with each component that I soldered in, my technique developed further and further.
Last step is to put the IC into it's socket. Make sure to put in is the right way. But is you don't just get some pliers and take it out of it's socket, the beauty of sockets. The IC also comes with a styrofoam to protect the leads, nice touch Mammoth Electronics.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them down in the comment section below
The first group of components to solder in are resistors. The reason for this is because they are the thinest of all the rest / lower profile. Soldering these first makes it easier to solder the the other components.
Another tip is to prebend the components so you don't put stress on the leads.
The next set of components to solder in are diodes, same ish shape to resistors. I had bought a line of individual sockets and was planing on using those on the diodes. This pedal uses 4 germanium diodes. These tend to be heat sensitive. But I took a shot with soldering and socketing and realized that soldering was easier. I soldered the germanium first.
The next component are capacitors.
And now this is a populated board with all the components in it.
Last step is to put the IC into it's socket. Make sure to put in is the right way. But is you don't just get some pliers and take it out of it's socket, the beauty of sockets. The IC also comes with a styrofoam to protect the leads, nice touch Mammoth Electronics.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them down in the comment section below
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