Build Your Own Clone Message Board

i'm a brand newbie (never done any electronics projects) and have never thought of myself as being someone who could attempt this stuff but this forum is empowering me! i have a couple very basic questions. 1) how do you drill holes in an enclosure (ie what drill bit, tips on getting a clean hole), 2) how do the components stay in place? do they need to be affixed and if so, how?
(this is in reference to the point to point fuzz post.)

many thanks!
-j

You need to get a unibit to drill the holes. Unibit size 1 will work for byoc pedals.
The unibit drills in steps. My first drilling went pretty good. Just start drilling.. then I sized up the hole with the part. The hole for a pot is different than a hold for a footswitch and etc...
The parts have hex nuts on them that hold them in place. There is also tabs on the pots that you can drill holes for to keep them lined up. I usually just hold the part as tight as i can without damaging it while tightening it with my rachet set.

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thanks for the info. so the parts attach to the top part of the enclosure by the hex nuts? should i drill from the face of the enclosure or from inside? (probably a very stupid question.) one more question, what wire should i use (i REALLY am a true newbie).
many thanks
-j

Pots are held by a washer and nut... you'll know immediately once you see the pot itself.

I drill from the face... drilling from the inside could be done, but more challenging.

For PTP, I'd use 24 gauge solid wire. Stays in place much better for PTP stuff, IMO. For the kits, I use a combination of solid and stranded wire.

You should drill from the outside in.

If you are a newbie to pedals.. do you know how to solder??
I would not recomment the ptp fuzz to someone new to soldering.
I would start with a kit. You will not have to drill at all.. then you can see how they are put together.
The ptp fuzz also has a few bugs that need to be worked out. I am sure there will be a few changes to it.
I would recommend the ultimate fuzz.. then you can build the ptp after you learn more. If you already know how to solder though.. the ptp fuzz wouldn't be that bad. You are going to have to do a lot of drilling.

The wire that Keith sends out is stranded wire. I am not sure of the gauge.. I think it is 18.

I bought some rolls of it from small bear.. you can get it there.

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Just google Unibit and you will find lots of pictures and info on them. It's just a stepped drill bit. The further you drill with it the bigger the hole gets. Think of it like a pyramid shaped bit.

cool! i bought one of those learn to solder kits and will start there. when i feel comfortable i may try the ptp fuzz or just get the kit first. appreciate all the info and suggestions. big help!

-j

No problem. Soldering isn't hard. You will learn quick I am sure.
Also, in the tech forum, there are a lot of soldering tips.

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thanks. i'll check them out.
cheers,
-j