Still waiting. And waiting. And...

...waiting. Enclosure and some other bits are still in transit, so I have held off on further assembly until they get here. What's left, you ask?

Wiring the stomp switch.
Offboard wiring for power.
Wiring control pots.
Wiring input/output jacks.

I can finish the stomp switch bypass board, but I've held off on doing any of the other wiring until the enclosure arrives, so I don't have a ton of extra/wasted wire. Also, since it's my first build, I want to make sure that there's enough support for the circuit board in the case, or that I can mount it without any wire length issues.

Once I get the enclosure in my hands, I can roughly measure wire lengths, test fit/position things - and then I will wire the circuit for testing. Until then, it's more waiting...

Thank you, US Post Office....

Parts is parts....

The cost of a build. And waiting...

...for parts. According to USPS, I have two packages set for delivery today and tomorrow. Lots of goodies for this (and upcoming) builds. I also found a drilled Red 1590B enclosure on eBay that will be a perfect match, but that won't be here until next week.

Tony (the guitarist I am building this for) - asked if I could get graphics onto the enclosure - like a decal or lettering. I've worked with waterslide decals before, so I need to order some inkjet decal paper and get to Photoshopping. I also pestered him for his choice in knobs so I can get those ordered (hopefully from the same place...), but those are the last bits I need for the build.

So, until everything I need arrives (AND I have time to solder and assemble...) - no build progress yesterday. However - I did add up the running cost of parts and stuff for this build so far.

Taking into effect bulk parts pricing, average shipping costs (including multiple shipments from multiple retailers)  - the total cost in components SO FAR comes to...(drum roll please)...$25.70!!! Tack on another 3-5 bucks for knobs and the waterslide decal paper, and we'll bump it to an even $30.

Compare that to the cost of what a used Lovepedal Fuzzmaster is going for on Reverb...

Unfortunately, mine won't come with the awesome cardboard box....

Soldering!

Took the kids to Ax-man today - I had promised Sophia and Ben a trip, and Sam decided to tag along...along with Ben's friend Tyler....and there was much 'ooh'-ing and 'aah'-ing. Things were purchased that did get the raised eyebrow upon arrival home - but they had fun. I scored a bunch of transistors I need for upcoming builds, along with a bunch of random fill-in values of other parts - and another storage case.

When we arrived home, I found that Mr. Postman had left me TWO packages...and after some sifting and sorting, I realized I had all the on-board components for the Fuzz build! So - after supper and the cleanup, the soldering station was brought forth, and...Ta-da!

Okay, THIS isn't pretty. But it's not bad for being out of practice on a pcb for over 30 years. I may go over it just to reflow some of the solder joints - most of them "look" solid, but I don't want a cold joint messing up my first attempt. Besides - I still have to hook up the power  and pot wires.

Sorting Parts is FUN....

...said in all seriousness. Yes, I *am* a nerd.

After dinner, I tore into my packages (don't even get me started) from Tayda and Mammoth, and started sorting and testing all the components. Even though I sprung for parts with high tolerances, I did find a couple that didn't quite make the cut. Not sure if they were from Ax-man or not (I'm guessing they were - since I pretty much dumped everything on the table like a kid at Christmas).

And - since my over-developed sense of OCD took over (thanks, Dad!) - I decided to list and sort EVERYTHING I have...which ended up being a good thing, actually.

In comparing and listing the parts, I found that a couple of the radial capacitors I purchased were only rated for 6.3 volts. Since I decided to undertake this hobby, I've had a crash-refresher-course in electronics - and I re-learned something about capacitors.

ALWAYS use a capacitor that is at least double the voltage the circuit will put through it. If you don't the capacitor goes 'pop'. Like the Weasel. Or like this:

Bored Kid Explodes Capacitors

I also found that I shorted myself on a few components, so before I put in yet another Tayda order, it's back to the Ax-man for more capacitors...

Really, USPS, you're hardly even trying.

A voicemail at 9:32 AM today:

"Craig this is ((REDACTED)) at the Eagan Post Office. Say, I talked to your carrier, and he said he found the packages and redelivered them yesterday afternoon. Blah blah blah..."

Funny, I checked my front steps before and AFTER I shoveled, and there was nothing. And the mailbox was empty last night.

BIG FAT LYING LIAR FACES.

Gr.

EDIT: Just received a text from the wife - the packages have arrived. Funny. Well, since I re-ordered everything, looks like I have enough parts for 2 sets of builds.

The mystery of the missing packages...

Well, that's two, now:

So, either someone's a Big Fat Liar Face, or my packages are getting stolen. And since First-class mail isn't insured, even IF I show proof of the value of the contents, I still get NOTHING. GOOD DAY, SIR.