Tips for cheap-ass builders

[xtian]

Tip #1: Axial vs. Radial caps

Shopping Mouser for caps recently. Axial lead e-caps are four times as expensive or more than equivalent radial lead caps. Not easy to integrate into a turret board layout, but cheap-assness is the Frank Zappa of invention. I mean, here is a totally acceptable set of Nichicon filter caps for your next TW for $8.50, plus shipping. (Heresy. Fine, 'evs.)

I build two kinds of amps. Those for paying clients who order something specific, I spare no expense and buy good+ components. I build maybe one of these a year, charge full price, and make decent money.

Then there are those I build for my own curiosity, and I like to save as much cash as possible by using scavenged, traded, found, reclaimed, or damn cheap parts. These builds usually come out sounding great, and I end up selling them for a profit. I can usually count on upwards of $2/hr for my labor! Sometimes nearly as much as minimum wage!

Anyway: RADIAL CAPS! As in, HEY, TURN OFF YOUR RADIAL CAPS LOCK KEY! Save some bux.

[Cygnus X1]

I sometimes wonder how long axials will be available.
What kind of demand is there except for us amp builders?

[sepulchre]

Well, tubes were on the endangered list and now they've made somewhat of a comeback, mostly due to us. So caps? Who knows?

[Reeltarded]

I sometimes wonder how long axials will be available.

OMG!!!!

omg.... no

[Structo]

Orange Drops are radial.....

I know what you mean though, just sorting through Mouser to find what will work on a tube amp is a chore unto itself.

[Reeltarded]

I have an unreasonable aversion to orange drops. They have come in every terrible piece of gear I ever owned!

Radio Shack has a great selection of caps if you don't mind buying in bulk and using all the wrong values. Watch the voltage.

[M Fowler]

There are still axial caps available and I recently loaded up on JJ brand axial 22uf/500 and 47uf/500.

I just avoid using those pretty gigantic blue Atom axial caps seen in TW or Komet amps.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

I just avoid using those pretty gigantic blue Atom axial caps seen in TW or Komet amps.

Come on Mark, if you don't start using Atoms, there'll be less demand. Which means they will disappear into the ether before the rest of us want to stop using them! Be a pal willya!

[chief mushroom cloud]

cheap assed axials
http://www.justradios.com/cart.html
I've used these for several years...they're good caps

[xtian]

Tip #2: Cheap-ass (but AWESOME) laser-cat engraved faceplates

Austin and Kyle at PanelCraftInc.com are WIN and want your job to be right. Their prices are cheap, and product is excellent.

[xtian]

Tip #3: Cheap-ass nuts and bolts

Zinc bolts suck. They break, they strip. This is no time to be a cheap-ass! Buy stainless steel.

[Cygnus X1]

I sometimes wonder how long axials will be available.

OMG!!!!

omg.... no

Well, other people worry about global warming and excessively large magazine clips.
I have more immediate and real concerns to lose sleep over!

[xtian]

Tip #4: IEC connectors

I love IEC connectors, because I like to be able to remove power cords from my heads, and replacement cables are cheap, especially at thrift stores. But I hate the plastic IEC connectors--I've skewed more than one prong by overheating during soldering, old ones wear out, and they just look like cheap crap. What's a cheap-ass to do when he doesn't actually want to LOOK cheap?

Currently US$1.25 each:

http://www.surplus-electronics-sales.co ... cts_id=430

I love these! All metal housing, including mounting holes! Soldering heat does not melt the pins! PLUS! EMI filtering (FWIW.)

[Cygnus X1]

Heh. Cool.
But found out the hard way through many years of experience.
Don't skimp on the soldering station.
Buying a new Rat Shack station every 2 years turns out to be false economy.
This little bastage is still on the original tip with many millions of hours of work.
(OK, a lot more work than the Radio Shack irons ever saw).
Doesn't overheat cheap IEC's either!

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX-888-Sold ... B004M3U0VU

[Cygnus X1]

Oh, wait...PLUS it looks like a perfect rectangular mount.
I hate cutting IEC's and hacking the shape with a dremel or file.

I'm in!