[MisterX]

That does suck cause they are nice when you have the space for them.

Maybe someone can zerox one of the boards and create a template so we can etch our "little boards"?

 

[Porksoda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterX That does suck cause they are nice when you have the space for them. Maybe someone can zerox one of the boards and create a template so we can etch our "little boards"?

PLEASE DO!!!

For the love of God, the lab I am going to school at has all the stuff you need to make toner transfer boards!!

SOMEONE around here has to have one of those boards unused or in a state where they could xerox it. I mean heck, we could even make up a BETTER board and do a group buy.

 

[MisterX]

lol.... good call, cause there is a few things on those little boards that can be done better.
If I had not busted my scanner it would be a done deal.

 

[z2trillion]

yeah, the board they send you have some issues. They will work, but theyre made a bit too small. I dunno if its legal to scan it in though; I know its a really simple design, but my conscience would be happier if it was just designed. I can post a picture of the switch with dimensions tomorrow.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterX That does suck cause they are nice when you have the space for them. Maybe someone can zerox one of the boards and create a template so we can etch our "little boards"?

I could scan mine since I haven't finished them... lol, ok I didn't even start. I haven't gotten to ordering resistors yet, let alone figuring out which ones I need.

-Ed

 

[z2trillion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood lol, ok I didn't even start. I haven't gotten to ordering resistors yet, let alone figuring out which ones I need. -Ed

lol, me too. I'm thinking about using the 3 cent koa speer resistors mouser offers.

 

[Syzygies]

I'd be happy to draw and redraw etching templates in Illustrator, which we can feverishly debate the layout for until we're happy. Though their suggestion to solder directly to the lugs is reasonable, various attenuators are made this way.

Someone would need to measure the pin spacing.

 

[Porksoda]

I had considered just soldering to the lugs as they suggested, especially since this would shorten the lead paths. Of the people that have the switch, does this look like it would be possible/practical?

EDIT: Also if we wanted we could make the boards up in Eagle and have them sent off and printed commercially. They are small enough that they could be cheap, and the quality would be considerably better.

 

[MisterX]

It would be a Major PITA to build one one without the boards.
It wouldn't be so bad if the fiber board sections (or decks if you will) were not so big but they are right right in the way if you want to jumper across the solder rings.

Pin spacing is:
.203" for the bottom board (7 pins)
.093" on the top board (17 pins)
Spacing between the decks is .640" .859" .640"
I should note that pin spacing on the boards I have is all over the place so the accuracy of those measurements is marginal at best.
It would be a very good idea if someone rechecked the measurements.

A small (75k) picture of the "old" boards is here

I sent Ned @ triode an Email and asked for his input and also inquired about the history of the little boards....I think it is a good idea to make sure we can progress with this idea without stepping on someones toes (a simple board layout for personal use is one thing but a batch of "professionally manufactured boards" puts the whole idea in another category).
I will let you know what he has to say... unless of course he pops in and adds his 2 cents.

Next question that comes to mind is what you like to "fix" on the old boards?

I think they need a jumper so the two grounds can be tied together and the hole size for the resistors and the pins on the switches could be a little bigger.
Through hole plating is also a good idea but that is a luxury I can live without if I have to.

 

[z2trillion]

I believe the board has its holes spaced on multiples of .1 inches while the spacing on the switch is slightly less. If we were to make boards for this, it would be nice if the boards and switch pins lined up exactly. As it is right now, you have to force it in a bit.

 

[MisterX]

Ned said:
Quote:

Feel free to copy the existing boards.

He also indicated that they have about 100 of the switches left and because they are clearance items they cannot guarantee future availability.

 

[Edwood]

If the boards cost too much to have made, then it will make this "bargain" stepped attenuator not so much anymore. Considering that resistors are extra (and unless you are building several, you are buying more than you need to match them) also, it really erodes the cost savings.

Hopefully that DACT group buy works out, it really does suck (funny though) that this Alps is so friggin huge.

-Ed

 

[Porksoda]

Well I decided to just buy one in the hopes that we can work something out.

For me, personally, I have everything i need to etch my own boards so if you wanna make up the templates, Syzygies, I would be in full favor of that. However, if there IS enough interest I would happily throw in a few dollars to get printed circuit boards.

Who WOULD be interested in printing boards?

 

[Syzygies]

I'm in, but I still haven't seen a flat scan of the old boards. Can anyone find a datasheet?

 

[Porksoda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterX A small (75k) picture of the "old" boards is here

Just go up a few posts