Magnet18 Crack Build

[magnet18]

Step 1 - attempted to mix paint and match the hammertone green of my Stanley mug

 

[magnet18]

Gold leaf, varnish, and mount components

 

[magnet18]

Heaters and power indicator

 

[magnet18]

Glow test
I used a fender style jewel indicator and a neon (not incandescent) bulb

 

[magnet18]

Wiring progress.
So far I'm having a ton of fun.
It takes me back to days spent restoring old 5-tube radios as a kid.
I wish I could find some paper or orange drop caps to replace all the electrolytics with, but with the size and voltage in this circuit it's obviously not practical. Maybe someday I'll make a custom v2 without the LEDs and use only 1950s or earlier tech just for fun.
I will be fiddling with the output caps though.
As an electrical engineer I have a probably irrational distaste for the idea of listening *through* an electrolytic capacitor, as much as I understand why it's the correct choice for putting in the kit.

Oh, and the drop in replacement authentic Alps potentiometer is RK27112A0A16 on mouser.com

 

[magnet18]

I used to work for Raytheon, so I got a kick out of that

 

[Paul Birkeland]

That's looking great! Do be aware that soldering wires directly to the Alps Blue pot pins isn't a great idea. There are a wide variety of small PCBs you cand solder to the pot that give you proper solder eyelets for landing wires.

-PB

 

[magnet18]

That's looking great! Do be aware that soldering wires directly to the Alps Blue pot pins isn't a great idea. There are a wide variety of small PCBs you cand solder to the pot that give you proper solder eyelets for landing wires.

-PB

Thanks! And I appreciate the tip! I actually already have one of those in the mail I'm waiting on.