Is there a name for this stuff?

[davewalker]

Hi,
I'm looking to get back into building tube amps, but I no longer have access to a drill press or the other tools needed to make turret boards. At home I have all the electronics tools I'll need, and a few basic mechanical tools like drills, saws etc. I don't really want to splash a load of cash right now on other tools, so I was wondering what other methods there are for making a decent circuit layout.

I found a few pictures of a method that looks suitable. It's just a thick board with a grid of holes drilled in it. Is there a trade name for it, and what are the things that the components are soldered to (instead of turrets)? It looks like the perfect solution, assuming no specialised tools are needed.

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Dave

[statorvane]

I believe that is called a tag board. The inserts are essentially eyelets.

FWIW, I have made my own eyelet boards from Formica brand surface laiminate, and use 1/8" ID eyelets from Jo Ann fabrics - in their scrapbook area. You can see a gutshot photo or two of my recent project that shows what I am talking about here http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/ ... 20Chassis/ . It is an AX84 P1 eXtreme w/trem and reverb.

The eyelet board is actually a lamination of two identical pieces of Formica. The resulting board is very stuff and holds the eyelets very well. The eyelets are flaired with a phillips screwdriver and light taps from a suitable hammer. I have completed three projects using this method; a 5F6-A Bassman, JCM800 clone, and the P1 eX. The board is bolted to the chassis using suitable standoffs and 6/32" nuts & bolts. No drill press required here, although a brad point bit it does speed the work IMHO.

[stoo]

I've heard it called "perf board" and those little attachment deallies that stick up.."fleas".
http://ampbuildersguild.com/buildnotes2007Q1.htm
Stew

[Funkalicousgroove]

Unfortunateley that stuff hasn't been made since the early 1980's. It's called vectorboard and was made by vector electronics.

I have contacted many companies about reproducing it, but the correct phenolic material isn't readily available.

The terminals are called flea clips, those are also inobtanium.

My suggestion is to contact Ken at www.turretboards.com, he can make you whatever you need until you have access to your tools again.

[skyboltone]

Unfortunateley that stuff hasn't been made since the early 1980's. It's called vectorboard and was made by vector electronics.

I have contacted many companies about reproducing it, but the correct phenolic material isn't readily available.

The terminals are called flea clips, those are also inobtanium.

My suggestion is to contact Ken at www.turretboards.com, he can make you whatever you need until you have access to your tools again.

Ditto the Ken at Turretboards suggestion. I bought a 24" X 36" sheet of Garolite from McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ Do a search for Garolite LE. It's cheap and can be cut with an ordinary skill saw with a decent blade. A regular battery drill will make holes in it. Mouser has silver plated brass eyelets for next to nothing. I use a home made setting tool with a hammer.

[Deric]

Never used flea clips before but have seen these over at Small Bear. Not sure if they are suitable for amps.

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=64

[dartanion]

I think you've got what you need for the boards (garloite, drill, hammer, center punch, and eyelets). Think outside the box and you'll find a way to build almost anything.

Another useful tool to have is a stepped drill bit for making chassis.

[UR12]

Hi,
I'm looking to get back into building tube amps, but I no longer have access to a drill press or the other tools needed to make turret boards. At home I have all the electronics tools I'll need, and a few basic mechanical tools like drills, saws etc. I don't really want to splash a load of cash right now on other tools, so I was wondering what other methods there are for making a decent circuit layout.

I found a few pictures of a method that looks suitable. It's just a thick board with a grid of holes drilled in it. Is there a trade name for it, and what are the things that the components are soldered to (instead of turrets)? It looks like the perfect solution, assuming no specialised tools are needed.

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Dave

I can supply you a set like the ones in the picture . Shoot me a PM or email.

[Funkalicousgroove]

Dana,

Did you ever find a supplier for that Board Material? The guy that makes my ODS chassis can punch it on his CNC machines, probably in-shape so they don't need to be cut. I have him punch my ODS boards, they come out fine.

[UR12]

Dana,

Did you ever find a supplier for that Board Material? The guy that makes my ODS chassis can punch it on his CNC machines, probably in-shape so they don't need to be cut. I have him punch my ODS boards, they come out fine.

No I didn't find a supplier. I'm still makin it the old fasion way by drilling the 1/8" stuff