Help: Want to build a flexible breadboard set up.

[The Mad Titan]

I want to be able to add/subtract pots/switches/toggles as I go depending on the circuit's complexity.

Any recommendations for plans, kits?

I thought about possibly just mounting the breadboard on something sturdy, like a piece of wood or thick plastic/plexi. Then mounting the pots/switches/jacks on whatever enclosure I plan on using, I mean that's where they're going in the end anyways, and securing that to the board via some means, maybe velcro straps or something. I'd run the leads to the breadboard from there.

Does that sound like a solid idea? Not worried about it being pedal size/like with a folded chassis and shit. Just functional, durable, sturdy, and flexible.

[morange]

What I have going on is an enclosure with pots, jacks, and switch mounted, colored wires soldered and coming out holes in the enclosure, so I can just plug them into the breadboard. This and the breadboard are mounted onto a cheap walmart bamboo cutting board with velcro. Also have a key reminding me of what colored wire goes to what.

[The Mad Titan]

What I have going on is an enclosure with pots, jacks, and switch mounted, colored wires soldered and coming out holes in the enclosure, so I can just plug them into the breadboard. This and the breadboard are mounted onto a cheap walmart bamboo cutting board with velcro. Also have a key reminding me of what colored wire goes to what.

Would this be sufficient?

http://comingsoon.radioshack.com/radios ... 60002.html

[morange]

Yep, that's actually the exact one I'm using in the picture. It's good. Lasts a long time as long as you don't put wires too thick in the sockets. Use 22 gauge or smaller. I also have a box of jumper wires of all different lengths, like they sell at radioshack, too - they're pretty handy, and make for a cleaner breadboard layout, with the jumpers laying flat against the board. Of course you can make your own jumpers out of 22 gague solid core or bus wire.

[morange]

There's also a battery inside, disconnected by the typical kobiconn jack when the external supply is plugged in. Nice because I can see whether a cheap wall wart will add noise, vs battery power, and since my battery is now half dead, how the circuit handles lower supply voltage.

[ChannelingHemingway]

Check out this thread over on the Madbean forums: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=3725.0. The TL;DR version is that he has an oscillator and a headphone amp installed in the box so he doesn't need to hook up a guitar or amp. In that sense it's better for testing a finished circuit rather than prototyping, but it's a smart idea nonetheless.

If I were to build one, I'd use an enclosure large enough to mount a breadboard and terminal block, in and out jacks, 3pdt and momentary stomps, led, battery connector, and indicator LED. That way the entire test rig would be pretty much self-contained. But I'm anal-retentive like that.

[Jero]

If I were to build one, I'd use an enclosure large enough to mount a breadboard and terminal block, in and out jacks, 3pdt and momentary stomps, led, battery connector, and indicator LED. That way the entire test rig would be pretty much self-contained. But I'm anal-retentive like that.

I've built several of these. Things can get cluttered quickly, so make one bigger than you'd think you want.

[ChannelingHemingway]

Thanks for the tip. Is a DD sized enclosure a good place to start, or would you prefer something with more elbow room?

[D-Day]

Aluminum laptop briefcase! The laptop that fit the thing croaked years ago and this briefcase had been gathering dust. I wanted a fully solderless rig that would allow for all sorts of switching, jacking and potting. So there are three DPDT footswitches (instead of 3PDT because the solder lugs on these are much more conducive to clip-lead connection), three TRS jacks, two on-off-on DPDT toggle switches, one on-on 4PDT toggle, eight 'permanently' mounted pots from 1K to 1M and four empty holes for up to four more pots, a standard power jack and a good sized breadboard donated to my cause by the mighty and magnanimous Dunwich Nick. This thing is a dream!

briefcase-small.jpg (104.32 KiB) Viewed 3432 times

briefcase-guts-small.jpg (150.73 KiB) Viewed 3432 times

briefcase-circuit-small.jpg (148.92 KiB) Viewed 3432 times

[morange]

Oh man, nice one.

[KaosCill8r]

Keep this thread going. I'm thinking of building up a versatile breadboard setup and will definitely use some of these ideas. Then I just have to learn how to actually use a breadboard
That briefcase breadboard idea is so awesome D-Day.

[D-Day]

Thanks! In a briefcase like that it's just a giant pedal. I haven't yet gigged with it but I let somebody else use it on stage one night and it lasted through the set. It's all sturdy 'n stuff and it's 100% solderless. This thing may well represent the best idear I've ever had in the span of my life

[KaosCill8r]

Thanks! In a briefcase like that it's just a giant pedal. I haven't yet gigged with it but I let somebody else use it on stage one night and it lasted through the set. It's all sturdy 'n stuff and it's 100% solderless. This thing may well represent the best idear I've ever had in the span of my life

Another tasty fuzz like the Ape Blaster? If so how long before I can buy one?

[ChannelingHemingway]

Yowza.

[D-Day]

Thanks! In a briefcase like that it's just a giant pedal. I haven't yet gigged with it but I let somebody else use it on stage one night and it lasted through the set. It's all sturdy 'n stuff and it's 100% solderless. This thing may well represent the best idear I've ever had in the span of my life

Another tasty fuzz like the Ape Blaster? If so how long before I can buy one?

I was referring to the idea for the briefcase itself. It's really been great. The circuit in there right now will certainly become a product but it's too early to tell about. I do have a new one coming soon. I will tell you the name, it's the Power-Action Go! Unit. The spam will begin soon and you won't be able to avoid it so I'll not clutter this fine thread with any