DIYstompboxes.com

DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: thelonious on May 16, 2013, 05:59:20 PM

Title: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: thelonious on May 16, 2013, 05:59:20 PM
Just built a madbean Cherrybomb (Colorsound Overdriver) with switchable input caps. It was my first time powdercoating, and I might never go back to painting. Fast, easy, durable, beautiful... what more could I ask for? I used powerbuythepound's Black Starlight, and the pics just don't do it justice. My only frustration is that I couldn't get the PCB mounted pots to sit straight - after I messed with them enough, I got close, but they still ended up looking a bit cattywampus. Anyone have sneaky tricks for getting them perfectly straight?
(http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=49101&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=49103&g2_serialNumber=1)
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: Keppy on May 16, 2013, 06:27:41 PM
I mount the pots on the board unsoldered, then maneuver the whole thing into the enclosure. I put the nuts on just enough to hold the pots in place and then solder the pins to the board. That way the pots always match the enclosure, no matter what irregularities I may have introduced in the drilling process.
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: deadastronaut on May 16, 2013, 08:21:30 PM
ive never used mounted pots..

but if i did, i think i would have to knock up a template of the box+pcb in inkscape, print off, tape to the box, centre punch,  ,and get it bang on..

or use digital calipers....
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: thelonious on May 16, 2013, 11:41:00 PM
Thanks, guys!

Keppy, what do you prefer to use to cover the back of the pots? The covers I had on hand didn't fit quite right and prevented the pots from sitting as flush against the board as I wanted.
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: Keppy on May 17, 2013, 05:43:40 PM
Quote from: thelonious on May 16, 2013, 11:41:00 PM
Keppy, what do you prefer to use to cover the back of the pots? The covers I had on hand didn't fit quite right and prevented the pots from sitting as flush against the board as I wanted.
Nothing. I use the long pin pots, so the back of them is nowhere near the PCB.

(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd480/KepFX/file-6.jpg)
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: thelonious on May 17, 2013, 05:52:16 PM
Ah, I am totally buying those next time. Thanks man!
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: CodeMonk on May 17, 2013, 06:12:15 PM
Quote from: deadastronaut on May 16, 2013, 08:21:30 PM
ive never used mounted pots..

but if i did, i think i would have to knock up a template of the box+pcb in inkscape, print off, tape to the box, centre punch,  ,and get it bang on..

or use digital calipers....
Both of the above.
Works well for me.

I will generally use a piece of cardboard as my first template.
I measure things multiple times before I drill the enclosure.
Still, I have ruined a few enclosures.
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: davent on May 17, 2013, 07:34:58 PM
Quote from: thelonious on May 16, 2013, 11:41:00 PM
Thanks, guys!

Keppy, what do you prefer to use to cover the back of the pots? The covers I had on hand didn't fit quite right and prevented the pots from sitting as flush against the board as I wanted.

I've used recycled plastic packaging, slightly heavier then transparency film, to insulate between the pot backs and PCB.

I've used recycled plastic packaging to insulate between the pot's backs and PCB's, it's slightly heavier then transparency film.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/ROG%20Omega/IMG_5146_zpsad505c78.jpg) (http://s216.photobucket.com/user/davent/media/ROG%20Omega/IMG_5146_zpsad505c78.jpg.html)

edit; blah, blah, blah, mumble, mumble...
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: CodeMonk on May 17, 2013, 08:04:50 PM
Quote from: davent on May 17, 2013, 07:34:58 PM
Quote from: thelonious on May 16, 2013, 11:41:00 PM
Thanks, guys!

Keppy, what do you prefer to use to cover the back of the pots? The covers I had on hand didn't fit quite right and prevented the pots from sitting as flush against the board as I wanted.

I've used recycled plastic packaging, slightly heavier then transparency film, to insulate between the pot backs and PCB.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/ROG%20Omega/IMG_5146_zpsad505c78.jpg) (http://s216.photobucket.com/user/davent/media/ROG%20Omega/IMG_5146_zpsad505c78.jpg.html)

I love you :)
I've been trying to think of something for insulation.
Thats a great idea.
Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: Keppy on May 17, 2013, 11:26:51 PM
I just want to say I'm honored to have thelonious and CodeMonk in the same thread. 8)

Title: Re: PCB-mounted pots - tricks to keep them straight?
Post by: deadastronaut on May 18, 2013, 08:16:21 AM
@dave, cool, ive been using CD/DVD cases,  8)