Drilling a 125B Guitar Effects Pedal Enclosure

[@gillespiewrga]

Thanks for this video. I'm now ready to try drilling my first pedal enclosure--just as soon as I pick up a step-drill bit.

[@kitvass666]

"Measure twice, cut once." Great advice!

[@iagobroxado]

That's really cool John, cos' sometimes we want a hole layout the DIY stores don't offer as pre-drilled option or we have to enlarge a pre-existing hole, as you demonstrated.

[@GiovanniBottaMuteWinter]

Thanks for the video! I have a couple questions: why not solder the pots, switches and plugs after they are installed in the enclosure? And I have had some bad experience with not drilling pilot holes and using the step bit directly: the holes ended up shifted compared to where I intended and I ruined my enclosure. I assume the pilot holes fix that? And do you use titanium bits for those?

[@johnplanetz]

Yes, you're right- the reason for the pilot holes is to avoid the step bit shifting. The 3/32" drill bit was titanium nitride coated - but nothing fancy (I bought a cheap 10 pack). These enclosures are often quite cramped, especially the very narrow ones - you could try soldering the parts after they're installed, but I know my fingers are certainly too big to work in that tiny space!

[@rellevartns9415]

Very nice video with some great tips. Thank you. Can you provide a vendor link to the component you referred to as the led barrel? Cheers.

[@johnplanetz]

I meant to say led bezel! just search for "pedal led bezel", and you'll find it at stewmac, and numerous other vendors.

[@The8TrackChap]

I recommend just buying pre-drilled enclosures from Pedal Parts Plus. They have all parts for pedals you would need and everything fits nicely in their pre-drilled enclosures. You can even custom order various hole configurations for various knobs and switches etc.

[@alex-fddz]

Hello, nice video, I just have a question... Potentiometers have like a little tab or protruding bit of metal on a side to prevent the pot from actually rotating on its mounting hole... my question is how do you work with that? That tab prevents the pot from going all the way through the hole and then it sits at an angle, but if i cut it won't it spin on its hole? Or are you using another kind of potentiometer?? Thanks

[@glugblub7524]

+13thehorror just clip that little part.

[@mr.nobody6203]

yeah...just cut it or you can drill it :)

[@alex-fddz]

Thanks I've already tried it on many projects just clipping off that tab.. they don't spin if i try to go 110% lol, just need to be careful to screw the nut tight enough

[@jonwarner1762]

what DC jack did you use that you could mount it to the pcb prewired? the Jacks I use always have to come in from the outside, which I find annoying.

[@lp1926.guitars]

Very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@The8TrackChap]

I've actually tried making my own ToneBender replica circuit, but the Germanium PNP transistors are extremely heat sensitive and I think I ruined them. The ones I used were 2N404 and they had gold leads and I believe gold is actually one of the most conductive metals for heat.

[@danmillane]

Great vid. Any experience with XLR's? I'm guessing pop rivets instead of screws? Trying to make a mic a/b

[@johnplanetz]

Check out the Switchcraft B3M panel mount connectors - round housing with a threaded collar. www.switchcraft.com/ProductSummary.aspx?Parent=466

[@danmillane]

+John Cooper. Oh wow! Good idea. Only issue is the real estate they take up at that size in a small foot pedal.

[@JetEarlewood]

What was that solder, 64 .....?? I can't catch it. TIA

[@MrUltraworld]

If you want cases and parts for next to nothing, scout pawn shops & music stores for busted pedals. I advertise for busted pedals in any condition. I rarely pay more than $10. I get an enclosure and spare parts to boot. Special switches, jacks, controls, 9v clips, caps, resistors for other projects. A lot of times I buy a pedal that is easily repaired. It saves a lot of time & money.

[@Gledii]

thanks for the video John! look, what about a square hole for a square DC input? :P any suggestions?

[@The8TrackChap]

What effect is it? The easiest types of effects to build are usually fuzzes and overdrives and distortions. But some overdrives can be complex if they have op-amp chips.

[@Dorbe87]

I was wondering about the part you vacuumed the shreds... Doesn't that kills the vacume?!?

[@johnplanetz]

My vacuum has a filter on the air intake which catches everything with no problem.

[@areyouavinalaff]

once you've punch marked where the holes go you may as well take the paper off, you don't need the paper on there to remind you how big they are when you can simply put the paper on the floor and look at it. when you drill through the paper you can't use it again to punch dots with lol.

[@sebastianwalker9156]

What are the covers called you used on your pots?

[@johnplanetz]

Sebastian Walker - pot condoms :) www.guitarpcb.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1409402

[@miguelnascimento8555]

What gear do you use? I take forever to drill a single hole... I have cheap HSS drill bits and a 500W with 3000rpm drill. Do I need to buy a better drill or drill bits?

[@johnplanetz]

It's just an old Skil 6225 drill, 2500rpm. Aluminum is quite soft, so it should not be difficult to drill. I guess your drill bit must be very dull - buy some new ones. Drilling a small pilot hole makes it easier to drill the bigger holes.

[@miguelnascimento8555]

***** Thanks! I'll try better drills next time!

[@dannysanchez7924]

what wattage is your drill rated at? would a cordless drill work?

[@johnplanetz]

Aluminum is soft- a cordless drill should be fine.

[@dannysanchez7924]

Cheers for the reply :)

[@michaeldriskell6431]

Great videos! What graphic program do you use for your designs?

[@johnplanetz]

I use GIMP. I demonstrated the whole process in my other video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWa8lqBtrq2ei6c

[@kingbeav8386]

Where do you buy the enclosure?

[@johnplanetz]

There are some links to parts sources, etc at my blog here: www.planetz.com/intro-to-diy-pedal-building/

[@shishKababGamers666]

Awsome video man random question but what soldering iron is that? I need an upgrade :)

[@johnplanetz]

That's a Weller WES51. Fantastic iron.

[@shishKababGamers666]

It looks really nice well alot better than mine!

[@GrimKriegor]

Thx for the videos good sire, this is good stuff, as always!

[@KleyDeJong]

Great video, thanks.

[@MrKingalow]

Thanks so much - you gave me the confidence to do this myself - why pay someone else? :)

[@divinodayacap3313]

why is mine so hard to drill?

[@TheEarthBlues2]

Fantastic!

[@JetEarlewood]

Nice wedding band and watch. Too bad they're not color coordinated. Just kidding. Thanks for this video.

[@andybetts1484]

It's aluminium..... There's 2 i's in it... not one. nice job though, and a good finish :-)

[@johnplanetz]

My family is Australian, so I can sympathize, but I live in the US, and here it is spelled aluminum.

[@Harmonic14]

Actually, the British chemist who discovered it originally called it alumium, and then aluminum, but publishers changed the ending from -um to -ium to coincide with the endings of other elements discovered at the time.

[@jorgepeterbarton]

there's only 1 'I' in it in US english.

[@Deathlycream]

aren't you scared for your fingers? :(

[@johnplanetz]

Not really. Wear safety goggles, understand how to use and respect the tool, and always know where the drill bit or blade is relative to your fingers, and you should be ok :)

[@nerolifong1824]

real helpful. thanks for sharing

[@bluegpu]

Great video! thanks!

[@Sixxiron]

Great vid. Thanks!