[Uncle Erik]

Build a few for yourself before trying to sell any. The time it takes to correctly case a project should be a good lesson. But build for yourself, first.

 

[TSi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qspeedss /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any suggestions on some cheap cable to work with? By the way, the first couple DIY cables I will make will be for my use; therefore I want to use the best components as possible. I might decide to sell cables though. In that case, can you guys recommend practice cables and cheap cables to sell, if they are not the same. Where do you guys get your stuff?

just own them with cat5e cables =P... teflex them... and ur done!

 

[fortney]

New guy,

Do you know how to solder well? If not don't start with surface mount soldering or you will go thru a lot of op amps that mysteriously don't work.

The CMoy is a good amp-within its class as a portable battery driven device-don't let anyone tell you it is not. Of course there are better ones too. It is excellent construction practice.

My suggestions for your CMoy--Use 470 uF electrolytic capacitors, a .47uF coupling capacitor (before the op amp input), definitely you will want a volume control and knob, be attentive to your wiring and don't forget the ground wiring, lower the gain from 11 unless your headphones are high impedance, low efficiency types,and put a piece of thick plastic in the tin under your circuit board. Include a LED, of course.

This site and Headwize have a ton of construction info--make use of it for your learning DIY.

Some of the above is a list of my early mistakes.

Inexpensive stereo connector wires with 1/8 inch stereo plugs on the ends work excellently. You can get them in various lengths from most electronics suppliers. I would try this before spending large amounts of money on cables.

And, of course, have fun, it's a hobby, and good luck.

F

 

[qspeedss]

Quote:

Use 470 uF electrolytic capacitors, a .47uF coupling capacitor (before the op amp input),

I have no idea what this mean buddy. Are those parts that will substitute for something on tangent's list or something i should add to the list?

Im thinking of abandoning my interest in DIY amps. It seems a little too complicated, and maybe a little too costly. However, i will not completly abandon the idea. Just for now. I should be studying for 2 exams but im here typing this. thats one reason. the other reason is that its a little costly. $30+ for each amp is too much for me right now.

However, i will still pursue my interest in DIY cables. I think this will come in handy as my family spends a fortune on cables i know i can make. Gonna follow the stickied guide on making interconnect cables.

Im looking for a new soldering cable/station. Preferably cheap. any suggestions? Locals stores around me are fry's and radioshack. I can do online. $50 budget probably. thanks guys, you have been a huge help.

 

[DrizzitT]

Don't buy the generic ratshack iron. Sucks big time.

If anything I use my EE lab's Weller WLC100 which works really well. Might consider getting one myself to replace my ratshack one.

And practice soldering your interconnects with really cheap hook up wire/stranded/leftover wire first. My first interconnect was patchy as hell because of my newbishness...

Oh yeah, go buy yourself a multimeter too. A Ratshack one should do fine. Don't need anything too complicated if your just doing interconnects (probably just the "short"/"open" notifier...). If you think you're going to build amps and a like, a decent investment in a multimeter ain't too bad of an idea.

 

[el_matt0]

yes. i cannot stress enough, if you think you will have ANY moderate long term interest in DIYing, amp making, cable making - ANYTHING, invest in at least an OK iron. I made the mistake of cheaping out on my first iron, got one of those 30 dollar radioshack irons (basically a nail as the tip). not only are they crappy in terms of build-quality, your work will suffer as a result. its not even something youd really realize without trying a nicer soldering iron too. i went from that ratshack iron to a hakko 936 (while im not suggesting to necessarily spend THAT much, something inbetween would be in order id say). the immediately noticeable differene surprisingly isnt just the fact that you can have many interchangable much higher quality tips, but the big thing for me was that the hakko just heated up SO much faster, to MUCH MUCH hotter temperatures. to a new DIY'er it may seem contradictory (ie a hotter iron would be worse / more potential for screw-ups etc), but in reality, the MAJORITY of your screw ups and accidents will be as a result of a radioshack iron simply just not being able to heat up and flow your solder quickly enough. this isnt such a major issue with cable making as it is when you are working with heat-sensitive ICs, etc, where you wouldnt want to spend more than a couple seconds with the iron in contact. you will find it is a PITA with making cables too though for that matter, especially since the soldering when making cables involves generally larger volumes (or thicker gauge) solder, its no fun having to sit there for 10 seconds every time to get the solder to flow....

 

[fortney]

A company called Circuit Specialists in Mesa, AZ has good soldering irons. Get one with temperature control-need not be digital-and a couple extra spade tips for it.

As spoken above, a good iron makes a lot of difference in your soldering. If you hate DIY you can sell it.

View and review the Audiologica website movies on soldering. They are very good.

DIY is less of a matter of device fabrication and more of a learning experience. You do both and come to some level of understanding of electronics and technical skill in construction.

The best of both understanding and construction can be found on these forums.

Start in small bits and don't become overwhelmed by the breadth of the subject. Learning the jargon is always a good start.

If you don't have time, money, or inclination now, remember that the idea of DIY has been planted in your mind and you can come to it later.

Good luck!!

F