Tools
With a minimum of proper tools (and experience!), successful assembly should be relatively easy. Without these tools, assembly is bound to be frustrating, and may result in damaged components and/or a non-functioning preamp.
Surely, your hands are your most important and skillful tool, but in this tutorial we are also using the following, as shown in Fig. 1 below:
- A Digital Multi-Meter (DMM) [optional] – for measuring voltage and resistance/continuity, to check for mistakes
- B thin diameter (e.g. 0.031″) rosin-core solder (e.g. 63/37 with %2 flux) – for soldering small electronic components to Printed Circuit Boards
- C wire strippers – for removing (stripping) a portion of the plastic jacket covering hookup wire
- D solder sucker (plunger type removal tool) [optional] – for removing solder, to remove/replace a component or clean up a mistake
- E temperature-controlled soldering iron (e.g. 700˚ F 20W) – regulated soldering iron (not soldering gun!), with cleaning sponge, for delicate electronics
- F adjustable wrench – for tightening hex nuts
- G component lead clippers – for close and accurate trimming of excess component leads once they’ve been soldered to the PCB
- H #1 phillips screwdriver – for tightening screws used to affix the DIY500 module enclosure
- I 1/16″ hex wrench (aka “allen key”) – for affixing the gain pot control knob
- J needle-nose pliers [optional] – for handling and bending component leads
- K component lead forming tool (e.g. Mouser part # 5166-801) [optional] – bends component leads to accurate 0.1″ spacing for ease of assembly
Fig. 1 Typical tools.
Components
Next to your tools, unpack the contents of your DIY500 mkII minimal kit and the additional required components which you’ve gathered to complete the kit. Make sure you have everything you need before beginning assembly. Ease of assembly relies on all components being installed sequentially, in order of size. It will be more difficult to go back and add/replace a component later if you don’t have it now.
- Fig. 2 Minimal Kit contents and additional required components.
Work Area
When working with tiny components which are easy to loose and hard to see, you want a well-lit and uncluttered work surface. To avoid components rolling off the edge of your surface, we recommend keeping everything in the middle, and employing some sort of slip mat if the work surface is smooth. Also, beware that solder drip, sharp tools, and component leads may damage your work surface finish. Make sure to put down some sort of (non-flammable) protective cover if this is a concern.
Fig. 3 Our work area with assembly materials spread across.
