Tips for cheap-ass builders

[Phil_S]

You can get a great IEC inlet at Apex Jr. for dirt cheap -- fifty cents! It is worth buying a bunch. You need to be willing to desolder the attached leads or use it as-is, but it's not a big deal. http://www.apexjr.com/images/IECSPDT.jpg

[Cygnus X1]

Ah well.
Screw them (Surplus Electronics Supply that is).
The shipping costs inside the US of A are far too much.
Half the total cost was shipping!
On a 1 lb box...$8.85.

I'll move to Nigeria, maybe it will be cheaper.

Apex Jr. is a secret.
Just...shuddup about it!

[xtian]

Cygnus! Thanks for my next tip...

Tip #5: Soldering Station

I agree, a good soldering station with adjustable temp is an important tool. I have been very happy with my Blackjack:

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bk200 ... ation.html

And at $45, it's about half the cost of the Hakko. Like the other brands, it has all replaceable parts: handle, heating element, body, tips, etc.

[briane]

$2/hr for my labor!

man thats great! I'm luck if I break 1$ an hour!

[steveneddy]

$2/hr for my labor!

man thats great! I'm luck if I break 1$ an hour!

We generally make average $40-$50/hr for sold amps. 10 - 12 hrs build time per amp - we have the cabs made for us - already covered - and we install the speakers and build the amp section by hand.

Now if we had to build the cabs ourselves we would make much less of course. But I can order 10 cabs for various amps - build all amp sections before they even arrive - and have 10 amps ready to go almost immediately.

Sometimes the "experiments" go for parts cost only - just to recoup the cost for the next project.

But we do our best to make money at this amp building thing. Everything hand wired on turret boards - good quality components - already done the homework for the tone of the amp - sales are good right now.