madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: das234 on March 03, 2014, 08:22:31 PM

Title: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: das234 on March 03, 2014, 08:22:31 PM
I finished my 5 O'Clock Fuzz (fuzz face) using the Sino transistor set from SmallBear.  At first I wanted to make the enclosure fuzzy like a wookie, but I like to label my controls so I decided to go with a water slide label and try my hand at Envirotex.  The picture came from a google search for 5 O'Clock.  Apparently there's a DJ club in Belgium that used this slogan in its advertising.  While the DJ club isn't really my thing, I dug the poster graphic so I added "FUZZ" to it and used it.

I dove headfirst into the Envirotex pool, coating the whole enclosure.  I used blue tape to try to control the runoff but I still wound up with some rough edges along the bottom.  I cleverly disguised them with a smashing green stripe so all is good.  I will improve my technique and use ET again as it looks great and highly durable.  Here are some pictures:
(http://imageshack.com/a/img838/7460/bj6o.jpg)
box - pre ET

(http://imageshack.com/a/img802/3130/bm6f.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img856/2962/nn39.jpg)
ET slathered on.

(http://imageshack.com/a/img839/4832/ze9l.jpg)
My dust cover

(http://imageshack.com/a/img542/3919/hvqx.jpg)
(http://imageshack.com/a/img24/4251/88uj.jpg)
boxed up
(http://imageshack.com/a/img850/5088/1kb6.jpg)
with knobs

AND OF COURSE... GUTS:
(http://imageshack.com/a/img819/4694/tnh3.jpg)
Title: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: billstein on March 03, 2014, 08:33:35 PM
Nice build and you enviro'd the sides. You are my new hero. I tried that once and messed it up bad. Any hints on how you did it. Is there a reason you have the painters tape extended from the bottom?
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: das234 on March 03, 2014, 09:43:49 PM
Thanks Bill.  I don't know if I have any tricks yet.  I read Juan and Cleggy's tutorial and some other tips on the forum and then jumped in. 

I taped over the holes, then mixed and poured carefully and worked it around with a plastic knife to get it even.  To coat the sides, I poured around the top edge and let it run down the sides.  Breathed on it to pop the bubbles and covered it up.  After an hour or so, I came back and worked it a bit more in the spots that needed touch up.  Then I realized that there was an awful lot of runoff and I might have glued it to the table.  So I very carefully used a couple sticks to lift up the enclosure and move it out of the puddle.  While I was doing that, I tried to think happy thoughts and prepared to swear a lot when I dropped it.  I didn't drop it though.  I breathed on it again to get rid of bubbles (Juansolo is right, that is pretty cool).  After that, I left it alone. 

I put the painters tape on there for two reasons.  First, I wanted to protect the bottom of the enclosure so it didn't get ET in the screw holes and second, I wanted a bit of a 'ramp' for the ET to flow down leaving a nice even coating behind.  It mostly worked.  The bottom stayed clean but I did have a little lip at the bottom that I was trying to avoid.  Next time I will keep the tape more vertical and hopefully it gives me a nice, even coating.  Or I won't do the sides.  I had decals on the sides of this pedal so I wanted to coat over them.  If I didn't have decals on the side I might just ET the top.  Hope that helps.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: midwayfair on March 03, 2014, 10:10:12 PM
Awesome graphic, made me giggle.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: bcalla on March 03, 2014, 11:15:58 PM
Great all around.  I am also impressed with the ET on the sides.  I've used ET on 3 enclosures, did the sides on all 3.  They look pretty good.  Yours looks great.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: gtr2 on March 03, 2014, 11:27:34 PM
THATS GREAT!

Josh
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: rullywowr on March 04, 2014, 03:42:14 AM
Bitchin!  I like everything about it. That enviro technique is a great idea and a happy accident.  I suppose you could always run a razor down the bottom lip and have a perfect side pour with this technique.  Sweet.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: alanp on March 04, 2014, 04:09:32 AM
The epoxy makes the graphics pop nicely :)
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: jimilee on March 04, 2014, 04:16:03 AM
That's cool all the way around! When I enviroed the sides of one of mine, I Squish the top of an aluminum can and slide it over the top, that way, no lip at the bottom and it's relatively level too.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: lincolnic on March 04, 2014, 05:29:10 AM
Looks rad! Are those the PIF transistors? If so I'm glad they've been put to such a good use!
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: Bret608 on March 04, 2014, 04:26:10 PM
Really nice job on the enclosure! How do you like the fuzz? I've still got some PNP germaniums burning a hole in my parts stash, so this one could be the way to go.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: das234 on March 05, 2014, 02:30:44 AM
Quote from: lincolnic on March 04, 2014, 05:29:10 AM
Looks rad! Are those the PIF transistors? If so I'm glad they've been put to such a good use!

Those are them, brother.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: 1776 Five O'Clock Fuzz (first Envirotex build)
Post by: das234 on March 05, 2014, 02:35:50 AM
Thanks for the compliments.  For the first time out I was pleased with how the ET job came out.  And it seemed like the perfect graphic to do it over.

Quote from: Bret608 on March 04, 2014, 04:26:10 PM
Really nice job on the enclosure! How do you like the fuzz? I've still got some PNP germaniums burning a hole in my parts stash, so this one could be the way to go.

I like it but I'm still in honeymoon mode, playing with the different knobs to see how they interact.  I may even switch out some trannies to see what different sounds I get.  I like the circuit because it's got the built in convertor so I can use my regular pedal board power supply.  I had to add a Road Rage in my Fozzaround to do that.