In Beijing

Unfortunately I had to leave for China before I could finish the amp.  I will return in the summer of 2011 and finish this up.  I can't wait to play this amp and its one of the things I am really looking forward to when I get back.  In the mean time, my main blog is Tin Turtle Design.  I may move the JTM45 project over there, but for now I plan on continuing here when the build is restarted.

Redid 18g bus wire and finished Step 8

I accidentally used the 22g bus wire on the output jacks, so I pulled that and replaced with 18g.  Step 8 is done, I did notice the lamp wire was shorter in my kit then the pic in the instructions.  And there was no orange wire off the PT in their pic.  No biggy, I think I have it wired correctly.  Next step is soldering the back of the pots and I don't look foward to that.  I'm breaking out my little Dremel wannabe and going after the backs with a wire brush first.

7 is done... almost halfway there

I filed the holes in the faceplates out with a couple of files, and then blew out the chassis with a compressed air line.  Step 7 was quick, and I am moving on to Step 8.  We are getting freezing rain tomorrow and then snow, followed by temps below zero... sounds like a good chance to stay inside and stay warm by the soldering iron.

Step 6 - Done

Now that step 6 is done I uploaded a much larger image of the chassis and also a macro shot of one of the output tube sockets.



I started Step 7, and the first thing is to apply the adhesive panels to the front and back of the chassis.  Its specific in the instructions to make certain the panels are flush with the bottom.  The front panel went on perfectly.  But I did the back panel next, and made certain again that the bottom edges were flush, but after it was in place it was obvious the holes didn't line up.  I am really hoping this is not going to be an issue.  But for the moment I am tired and headed to bed.



Step 5 - Done

Bias resistors are finally in place.  What a pain getting the lead from pin 1 to the grounding lug while keeping the resistor from touching something it shouldn't.

Step 4 - Done

We had a large snowstorm and I was out shoveling snow yesterday.  Didn't feel great on the eyes, so I took a break.  Got back into the build today and finished some steps.  First up - Step 4.  I was not that happy with how the heater wiring looked compared to the guide.  I really think that by the time a person built at least 2, maybe 3 of these you could really make it look much more professional.  Its just a question of knowing the theory and the steps.

Corrected the sockets

Undid last night's work and remounted the output and rectifier tube sockets so that the flange is on the inside.  Moving on to Step 4 but I've noticed my Heyboer transformer doesnt match the newer instructions.  I think I know what to do and I'll go ahead and finish the next step.