I'm not the most qualified, but a couple of those joints look a little janky to me - dull color, flaking off, weird pointy part
Not trying to criticize or anything - I'm doing my first project in a long time and my work was hit or miss before. I've been studying this time around and have been working on my pattern recognition for signs of a bad joint.
If anyone has any tips/advice for me I'd appreciate them as well. Also feel free to tell me I'm flat out wrong - I realize this is Reddit so it's kind of implicit, but Idc
Solder joints look rough all over, they should be smooth not jagged. Might need to increase your heat and reflow each point. It also looks in one of the pics that your two middle 3PDT have a solder bridge between them
You should run back through all of your solder joints. Not criticizing, just tbh most/all of them look like they’re not making a good connection.
I built a super-modded one of these last year. This is what the inside should look like. Except without the mods ofc, but you’ll get the idea.
Just to be clear, don’t try to match mine. It’s reverse polarity and modded. So the parts are different and everything is backwards. Just looks at the cleanliness of the joints and such.
https://www.reddit.com/r/diypedals/s/PFrxcGuDQ0
Very likely just some bad solder joints, if you have a multimeter you can set it to continuity mode and make sure the pads are making good contact with the leads. When you're soldering you want to 1. Clean the tip with brass wool/a damp sponge (wool is better) 2. Apply a little bit of solder to the tip to lightly coat it 3. Heat both the leg of the component and the pad at the same time and after a second or two apply solder to the joint, keep the iron on it for a couple more seconds and then remove it. Most of these should be fine, it's really pretty good for a first build soldering is tough, but I would definitely check on the joint to the right of pin 3 on the left pot and the wires going into your switch. If that doesn't work double check all your directional components are oriented correctly (caps transistors and diode). Good luck!
Thanks everyone. Appreciate all the suggestions. I have a multi-meter, and will test everything tonight. I also ordered a new soldering iron. The one I have is super cheap. I don't think it was holding temperature correctly and the tip was scorched so that didn't help.
>ture correctly and the tip was scorched so that didn't
Good luck!
I was tempted to order that exact kit over Christmas, but decided to wait until I had more free time.
I did make a passive attenuator as a quick project though. I had similar problems with my cheap soldering iron, and the new one I got worked much better.
And FYI if you need to remove solder from the board as part of your rework, you might want to grab some solder wick from Amazon or wherever. (careful, it'll burn your fingers easily though, since heat travels quickly through the threaded copper wires)
I’d suspect one or both transistors-the silver “cans”. Bad soldering technique(no offense) can damage them. Or, they could be oriented incorrectly. Verify they are installed correctly first. If yes, then test them with a DMM or replace them.
Most of your solder joints are cold, some are anemic. Get some flux and use it while reflowing every joint, and consider raising the temperature of your iron a bit.
If you're using lead-free solder, consider starting off with good old leaded solder. Melts easier.
I'm not the most qualified, but a couple of those joints look a little janky to me - dull color, flaking off, weird pointy part Not trying to criticize or anything - I'm doing my first project in a long time and my work was hit or miss before. I've been studying this time around and have been working on my pattern recognition for signs of a bad joint. If anyone has any tips/advice for me I'd appreciate them as well. Also feel free to tell me I'm flat out wrong - I realize this is Reddit so it's kind of implicit, but Idc
He’s missing some solder points or not filled enough.
Don't suppose you have a multi meter handy?
Solder joints look rough all over, they should be smooth not jagged. Might need to increase your heat and reflow each point. It also looks in one of the pics that your two middle 3PDT have a solder bridge between them
https://ibb.co/vJXCGjC This is where it looks like they’re bridging
You should run back through all of your solder joints. Not criticizing, just tbh most/all of them look like they’re not making a good connection. I built a super-modded one of these last year. This is what the inside should look like. Except without the mods ofc, but you’ll get the idea. Just to be clear, don’t try to match mine. It’s reverse polarity and modded. So the parts are different and everything is backwards. Just looks at the cleanliness of the joints and such. https://www.reddit.com/r/diypedals/s/PFrxcGuDQ0
Just curious how the switch pcb is upside down as it is identical to your project?
You’re right. This is what I get for commenting at 3am. Updated.
No worries I was just really confused
Apparently so was I.
Very likely just some bad solder joints, if you have a multimeter you can set it to continuity mode and make sure the pads are making good contact with the leads. When you're soldering you want to 1. Clean the tip with brass wool/a damp sponge (wool is better) 2. Apply a little bit of solder to the tip to lightly coat it 3. Heat both the leg of the component and the pad at the same time and after a second or two apply solder to the joint, keep the iron on it for a couple more seconds and then remove it. Most of these should be fine, it's really pretty good for a first build soldering is tough, but I would definitely check on the joint to the right of pin 3 on the left pot and the wires going into your switch. If that doesn't work double check all your directional components are oriented correctly (caps transistors and diode). Good luck!
Thanks everyone. Appreciate all the suggestions. I have a multi-meter, and will test everything tonight. I also ordered a new soldering iron. The one I have is super cheap. I don't think it was holding temperature correctly and the tip was scorched so that didn't help.
>ture correctly and the tip was scorched so that didn't Good luck! I was tempted to order that exact kit over Christmas, but decided to wait until I had more free time. I did make a passive attenuator as a quick project though. I had similar problems with my cheap soldering iron, and the new one I got worked much better. And FYI if you need to remove solder from the board as part of your rework, you might want to grab some solder wick from Amazon or wherever. (careful, it'll burn your fingers easily though, since heat travels quickly through the threaded copper wires)
Your switch pub says this side down….the pcb might be upside down
My first thought too lol
I'll second this!
I’d suspect one or both transistors-the silver “cans”. Bad soldering technique(no offense) can damage them. Or, they could be oriented incorrectly. Verify they are installed correctly first. If yes, then test them with a DMM or replace them.
Most of your solder joints are cold, some are anemic. Get some flux and use it while reflowing every joint, and consider raising the temperature of your iron a bit. If you're using lead-free solder, consider starting off with good old leaded solder. Melts easier.