This is more of a journey into the less fun bits. This time, component ordering (again).
So, last time, when I built the sloclone, I ended up ordering from way too many places, and had resolved not to do that again. However, it looks like this'll be happening again.
So, I was doing my order with Mouser, when I realised the relays I needed were like out of stock until late may/august, which was a bit of a showstopper. Damn it. Seems like the global silicon/parts shortage thing that is stopping gamers and bitcoin miners from indulging in over the top cards just hit home with respect to ancient technology. It also completely annhialated the "lets order things from one place only"
Add to that, that the rather nice impedance selector switch I wanted is now no longer made (the one I used in the sloclone) and add to that that the screw stash I thought I had, I actually didn't, and you've got another recipe for "order things from way too many places" again.
This is not the fun part. I'd forgotten. Kind of like getting a tattoo, you forget what it was like last time, and then when it starts, you remember.
Anyway, after 3 (yes 3) aborted/refused orders (RS components won't sell me stuff here unless i have a Belgian BTW number) I finally found one site via a friends recommendation called Reichelt in Germany. With a site in german. But I managed to find my precious relays, and at way less than mouser/RS was flogging them for, so that was a result. Probably ended up the same amount due to postage though, as nowhere seems to offer free postage...cheap skates (or maybe it is I who am the miser)
Anyway, my advice is to have a screw stash. Get a load of philips pan head m3 and m2.5 screws (16-20mm is what I am going for, as I think 16mm is enough to attach valve sockets without leaving a load of exposed screw, for neatness) a whole load of nuts for them, and some washers (and serated type ones as well, get a selection box). Also get a load of contersunk ones, as they're nice for mounting standoffs, 10mm/16mm probably good, maybe longer if you're using longer standoffs (depends what will fit in chassis though height wise, taking component height into account). Anyway, find a load, order a load. Get some m4 and m5 sets as well for your transformers and chokes, and m6 for mounting chassis.
So, basically, it's turning out like last time, where I am going to have to order from various places, and also reorder from places I have already ordered from, like, for instance, i forgot to order amp feet... I still need to do the component order, but I feel like I can probably entertain myself with mounting transformers, drilling holes to mount PCB and doing the heater wiring and other basic stuff and that that should keep me busy for a while.
Other non picture worthy progress is that I finally got hold of a V2 board layout so I can now see where everything is supposed to go, which is nice. I'm also going to have to start thinking of whether to see if I want to attempt to etch a board for the rear amp controls ( a few mini toggles) or wire them up as neatly as possible without with the switches in place... choices choices
Oh, and remember how I had hoped that the evil Bpost would actually ring my doorbell and deliver? They didn't. And I am stuck with no ID at the moment (screw you UK passport office for dragging your feet with my application) so I cannot pick it up. Which is utterly shit. Maybe I'll try tomorrow with a piece of paper and whinge at the old guy in the spar. Failing that, maybe I should break in after dark to retrieve my own parcel (not stealing if it belongs to you now is it)
In any case, it just means that it's taking a bit longer to get to the good stuff...
The moral of the story? Be a nerd. Love spreadsheets, do all your ordering at the same time and go and hit the big ones first, then slowly work your way down to more expensive specialist places. So, in this case, what I should have done:
- Order everything possible from Mouser
- Order from other electroonics specialists
- Order from niche places like Tubetown, Tube Amp Doctor etc
- Order from really obscure places that sell just those bits that you just cannot seem to find anywhere else.
I didn't, so I am back in this weird ordering hell where I am going to lose time having to wait for orders to show up, then figure out what I don't have, and then order that.
They say a donkey doesn't trip over the same stone twice over here in Belgium. So I am basically a sub donkey, whatever that animal happens to be...
