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Thread: OK People, lets do this! (Total Newbie!)

  1. #1
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Staffordshire, UK

    Posts: 131
    I'm Rob.

    Default OK People, lets do this! (Total Newbie!)

    After my visit to Bigman80’s gaff the other day, the Audio DIY bug has bit! I’m a total newbie and the closest I’ve come to anything electronic is changing a light bulb. I’d like to start building things with the aim to building my own Bigbottle phono stage in the future.

    So where do I start, what to read, what gear do I need and where to buy it?
    If you could give me some pointers on what I need and which kits are (very) easy to start off with. Please bear in mind I know nothing. Ideally I’d like to start soldering and populating PCB’s.

    Oliver (Bigman80) has offered to help me along the way but I don’t want to keep hassling too much straight away. I would like him to still be talking to me by the time I start building one of his Phono Stages. Laffin!

    Cheers
    Rob
    Well Tempered Versalex, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Trilogy 906, MCRU LDA Linear PSU, Naim ND5 XS 2 , Exposure 3010S2D, Roksan TR-5 speakers, Spotfire Interconnects/Spotfire Reference speaker cable

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Deleted

    Posts: 6,585
    I'm Deleted.

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    The first thing you will need to know is how to solder and identify components. To learn to solder you will need a soldering iron (Antex 25W with silicone mains lead), some 60/40 solder (not high silver content solder), a stand for your soldering iron, a solder sucker (or desoldering braid) and a pair of component leg clippers. You can get all this from Amazon. There is lots on YouTube on how to solder.

    http://Antex K982470 Soldering Kit- ..._epP7CbATP15N7

    http://Electrical Solder Wire 100g 6..._esP7CbHN0SMBW

    http://Silverline 633609 Metal Solde..._CtP7Cb2CXKPEM

    http://Boenfu Electrical Wire Cable ..._DvP7CbHH6EJHH
    Last edited by YNWaN; 29-05-2019 at 14:22.
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  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: london se6

    Posts: 823
    I'm AndyElectroNumpty.

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    When I started my DCB1 I had never soldered etc before either. I bought some (50 odd) extremely cheap resisters and a blank PCB board of the bay cost £5 max overall and practised my soldering on those before trying anything of importance on the DCB1 board. It really helped with setting things like temperature and getting used to how the solder , iron and parts behave. You Tube is great for tutorials.

    Also get a vice/ third hand to help and a good led lamp with magnifying glass insert , it really helps.

    Have fun!!
    At the cutting edge of Numptyness!

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Deleted

    Posts: 6,585
    I'm Deleted.

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    This is actually my preferred solder:

    https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/produ...SABEgLAHPD_BwE

    A temperature controlled soldering iron isn’t necessary and cheap ones aren’t much good IMO. I agree a third hand of some type is a good idea. You definitely need good light - perhaps a magnifier, depending on your eyes.
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  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Staffordshire, UK

    Posts: 131
    I'm Rob.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by YNWaN View Post
    The first thing you will need to know is how to solder and identify components. To learn to solder you will need a soldering iron (Antex 25W with silicone mains lead), some 60/40 solder (not high silver content solder), a stand for your soldering iron, a solder sucker (or desoldering braid) and a pair of component leg clippers. You can get all this from Amazon. There is lots on YouTube on how to solder.

    http://Antex K982470 Soldering Kit- ..._epP7CbATP15N7

    http://Electrical Solder Wire 100g 6..._esP7CbHN0SMBW

    http://Silverline 633609 Metal Solde..._CtP7Cb2CXKPEM

    http://Boenfu Electrical Wire Cable ..._DvP7CbHH6EJHH
    Thanks Mark the info, much appreciated. The links don't seem to be working for me though?
    Well Tempered Versalex, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Trilogy 906, MCRU LDA Linear PSU, Naim ND5 XS 2 , Exposure 3010S2D, Roksan TR-5 speakers, Spotfire Interconnects/Spotfire Reference speaker cable

  6. #6
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Staffordshire, UK

    Posts: 131
    I'm Rob.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by smangus View Post
    When I started my DCB1 I had never soldered etc before either. I bought some (50 odd) extremely cheap resisters and a blank PCB board of the bay cost £5 max overall and practised my soldering on those before trying anything of importance on the DCB1 board. It really helped with setting things like temperature and getting used to how the solder , iron and parts behave. You Tube is great for tutorials.

    Also get a vice/ third hand to help and a good led lamp with magnifying glass insert , it really helps.

    Have fun!!
    Cheers Andy. Thanks for the tips.
    Well Tempered Versalex, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Trilogy 906, MCRU LDA Linear PSU, Naim ND5 XS 2 , Exposure 3010S2D, Roksan TR-5 speakers, Spotfire Interconnects/Spotfire Reference speaker cable

  7. #7
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: cheltenham

    Posts: 746
    I'm matt.

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    It's well worth getting in the habbit of measuring components before fitting them too. It's a hell of a lot harder to find a faulty or incorrectly labeled component after it's been fitted.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Deleted

    Posts: 6,585
    I'm Deleted.

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    Oh. Sorry, none of the links work for me either - I blame Amazon!
    Last edited by YNWaN; 29-05-2019 at 20:02.
    Account Deleted

  9. #9
    Join Date: Sep 2013

    Location: North Island New Zealand

    Posts: 1,757
    I'm Chris.

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    Much better would be for the kit to be provided with pre-assembled and tested boards,

  10. #10
    Join Date: May 2017

    Location: West Sussex, UK

    Posts: 775
    I'm Steve.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Light Dependant Resistor View Post
    Much better would be for the kit to be provided with pre-assembled and tested boards,
    Not sure that would qualify as a build Chris
    More like assembly.
    I think this guy wants to build from scratch.

    So where do I start, what to read, what gear do I need and where to buy it?
    If you could give me some pointers on what I need and which kits are (very) easy to start off with. Please bear in mind I know nothing. Ideally I’d like to start soldering and populating PCB’s.


    Steve
    Turntable; Rega p8
    Cartridge; Alpheta mc
    Phono Stage; Rega Aria, Bigbottle 3 mm/mc
    Amplifier; Rega Elicit
    Speakers; Rega Rx3

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