madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Build Reports => Topic started by: Govmnt_Lacky on April 08, 2015, 05:28:38 PM

Title: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on April 08, 2015, 05:28:38 PM
This is my first attempt at SMD building. Go BIG or go Home right?!

The idea for the finish on this came from those cheezy (pun intended) Velveeta commercials that always ended with "EAT... like that guy you know!" I thought it was catchy so sue me.  ::)

Assembling the PCB went rather well. Although I initially wanted to do the solder paste method, I chickened out and did it by hand. Although not as good as some of the other showings on here (sorry but I will never have an SMD build as neat as chuckbuick or wgc) I think it turned out pretty good. The pedal actually fired right up BUT... the calibration has been an uphill battle. I got the clocks set pretty well and that is about it. Still trying to get out some minor distortions and LFO noise. I am pretty sure that it is due to needing more patience and time adjusting the trimmers OR possibly some issues with the BBDs themselves but it will get there.

Special shout out to Chuckbuick for the opportunity to build his creation. Awesome layout and very well executed design. Another goes to flanagan0708 for trading with me for the BBDs. And finally, a shout to midwayfair who came though in a last second potentiometer crisis when I missed one on an order.

Labeling is on etched PCB faceplate. Wanted to do some tinning but.. since the theme was gold... I definitely didn't want any silver on there so I had to deal with the copper being close enough. Enclosure is painted with Rustoleum hammer tone. Took forever to dry but I think it is all done  8)

BTW... the specks you see on the photos is actually just dust that I was too lazy to wipe off before taking the pics. Compared to some of the pros on here they probably look like Polaroids  ;D

(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n541/redmangreg/A_DA%20Flanger%20Side_zps5i3xjabb.jpg)
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n541/redmangreg/A_DA%20Flanger%20Face_zpsb4nwnyvk.jpg)
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n541/redmangreg/A_DA%20Flanger%20guts_1_zpsgd5dgirs.jpg)
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: brejna on April 08, 2015, 05:40:44 PM
That is Bruuuutal!!  8) I want one pcb  :)
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: culturejam on April 08, 2015, 05:41:25 PM
Beautiful build inside and out. And I love the theme. Those commercials are pretty funny.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Luke51411 on April 08, 2015, 05:53:11 PM
Epic! Love the faceplate. First SMD build... You went big but you didn't go home! Great work.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: jubal81 on April 08, 2015, 06:07:03 PM
Now that is damn impressive.  :o


Did you do the layout yourself?
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: billstein on April 08, 2015, 06:15:49 PM
Awesome. What a great build.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: icecycle66 on April 08, 2015, 06:19:05 PM
Oh man, you're killin me.

It's been a while since I've done SMD. I would really like to put this together.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: copachino on April 08, 2015, 06:29:46 PM
Me wants one pcb now jajaja
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on April 08, 2015, 06:50:59 PM
Quote from: jubal81 on April 08, 2015, 06:07:03 PM
Did you do the layout yourself?

All the credit goes to Mark (chuckbuick) He was kind enough to grant me one of his fantastic PCBs with which I was able to pull my hair out one follicle at a time until completion (or almost completion)  ::)
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Leevibe on April 08, 2015, 07:03:40 PM
Wow. That is SO well done. Really nice in and out. Points for getting your switch hardware lined up straight! I love those knobs. Are they aluminum with o-ring grippers?

After all that apologizing, I was expecting the board to be a mess. Go easier on yourself. That looks really good! That would have taken me forever to do by hand. This is making me want to try and SMD build.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Matt on April 08, 2015, 07:09:37 PM
First smd? Damn nice work!
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: midwayfair on April 08, 2015, 07:27:39 PM
That was ... ambitious for a first SMD build to say the least. :o
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Jebus on April 08, 2015, 07:34:14 PM
Really cool! I remember when in late 1990s and early 2000s people kept telling me that you can't do SMD -stuff in home. How wrong they were..  :D
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: LJangel on April 08, 2015, 07:54:11 PM
sooooo nice, inside and out
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: TGP39 on April 08, 2015, 08:41:19 PM
Oh my god!  This is so beautiful. I thought the exterior design rocked, but the job you did on the pcb is outrageous.  I cannot believe this is your first try at smd. It's just too professional. I'm super impressed.

Steve.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: cooder on April 08, 2015, 08:50:40 PM
That is super amazin' friggin' awesome....!  :o
Congrats, what a build and what an smd achievement! Super looks to boot!
Any other smd will be a piece of cake after this, right on....
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: m-Kresol on April 08, 2015, 08:51:43 PM
love it. I was expecting a liquid mercury phaser deluxe from the title. even if it's not, I wasn't dissapointed :) Great job on the SMD soldering
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: bcalla on April 08, 2015, 09:09:39 PM
Fantastic!  And extra points for sizing the hole in the "o" to fit your LED.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: lincolnic on April 09, 2015, 03:35:03 AM
Man, just looking at that PCB makes me sweat. Amazing job, especially for your first SMD pedal!
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: alanp on April 09, 2015, 03:42:15 AM
Bloody sweet build there! How much desoldering braid did you go through? (It works a treat for cleaning up SMD soldering.)
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Stomptown on April 09, 2015, 04:02:53 AM
This is straight up nuts!  Nicely done Greg!
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Coda-effects on April 09, 2015, 10:31:04 AM
First SMD? Really?  :o
I quit.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Govmnt_Lacky on April 09, 2015, 11:44:50 AM
Quote from: alanp on April 09, 2015, 03:42:15 AM
How much desoldering braid did you go through?

Didn't use any   8)

Just kinda followed chuckbuick's advice. Solder one pad for each component. heat-n-slide into place. Solder the rest of the contact points.

I will admit that I had to go back over quite a few of the IC legs and touch them up because they didn't make good contact with their pads but all of the resistors, caps, trimmers, diodes, and transistors soldered up just fine  ;)
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: chuckbuick on April 09, 2015, 01:15:03 PM
Looks great, Greg.  I really dig the faceplate a lot, too.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: jimilee on April 09, 2015, 02:00:00 PM
Dammit man, have you gone mad???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: Mich P on April 09, 2015, 05:56:47 PM
Really Class,
Bravo,
Mich P.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: LaceSensor on April 09, 2015, 11:05:55 PM
Mother of god
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: raulduke on April 10, 2015, 12:19:31 AM
Now that's a way to dip your toe in SMD.


Awesome work dude!
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: selfdestroyer on April 10, 2015, 01:17:36 AM
That faceplate looks slyck Greg.

Cody
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: pickdropper on April 10, 2015, 03:26:56 AM
Nice build, Greg.  That's a fairly daring and solid entry into the world of SMT.  Good job.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: MarcFive on April 10, 2015, 06:36:21 PM
Quote from: Coda-effects on April 09, 2015, 10:31:04 AM
First SMD? Really?  :o
I quit.

I'm out. Sheeesh.
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: czapa tranzystor 2 on April 10, 2015, 08:54:36 PM
How sound SMD vs THT ?
That looks how  behringer.
And wery big metal enclosure.




Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: peAk on April 10, 2015, 09:23:08 PM
That looks super sweet !!!!!!!
Title: Re: Liquid Gold...
Post by: wgc on April 11, 2015, 01:49:25 AM
I thought I heard someone ringing the smd bell...

Nice job!

They don't get much nicer than one of mark's layouts. I'm wishing I had one of these.

Box looks great too

Addicted yet? 

Hoping some of you other guys try smd too.