One of the most common questions i get asked is 'what do i need to get started doing circuitbending' so this thread is so people can give general advice to beginners. If you want advice on specific machines start another thread but any general tips can go here.
For a first bending attempt you really can't go far wrong with a speak&spell, theres loads of information out there, you can't fail to get some good results and they are difficult to kill, unless you mess with the power supply so don't. Theres nothing for you there. What you're going to need to get started: Soldering Iron Solder A selcetion of Poteniometers - around 1K, 47K, 100K, 470K to get started Some kind of output jacks, 1/4 inch mono for preference wire - i seem to use 10/0.1mm or 7/0.1mm Switches - SPST usually but having others handy is a good idea Push to break buttons Push to make buttons As many screwdrivers & socket sets and you can find A drill
What you may need in the future A multimeter Solder sucker Solder mop / wick Patchbay sockets - whatever type you like best LED's A guitar practise amp Epoxy resin glue Even more screwdrivers & socket sets Trimmer Pots
« Last Edit: November 26, 2007, 10:32:17 PM by Circuitbenders »
hmm, i don't know the english word for it, but these little wires with a crocodile mouth on both sides are handy too, when trying out the right value pot, try a new connection etc...
btw, i always start with some wet fingers... works great !
I think this article makes it sounds too complicated..
All you really need (without wiring anything up) is a screwdriver to open it up. Then just use your wet fingers or the screwdriver to mess with the circuitry. Then to wire stuff up you need a soldering iron (one with a _SMALL TIP_), solder, wire, and a switch or whatever.. If you don't have a drill you need a well ventilated area, and something metal the size of the hole you want to make.. You can heat the metal up with the soldering iron to burn through the plastic and make a very crude hole. That's how I do it anyway.. Make sure you DON'T breathe in the fumes. The hotter the metal is the more plastic you will burn, so keep it at a minimal temp.
I would add 555 ICs for clock bending as the simplest "advanced" bending necessity.
And if you're going to suggest LEDs you need to mention having some 1k resistors handy. Also when I do initial probing with wires I always put a 1k or lower resistor on an alligator clip to try and prevent accidental frying.
Also replace drill with dremel/rotary tool and you'll be set. I just put drill bits on my rotary tool when i need to make holes. Plus, the rotary tool makes cutting proto boards mad easy.
I suspect anything that coats your soldering iron tip with crap is going to destroy the tip and cause cold spots etc. I'd imagine on cheaper irons that puts the heating element under some pressure which isn't going to do it much good.
Soldering with a damaged tip isn't really advisable anyway. Its a lot more difficult and you could be looking at all kinds of problems with the resulting joints.
If you have a soldering iron stand, which i'd recommend, there will probably be a solder cleaning sponge in it which you just dampen with a bit of water and wipw the soldering iron on it. You can buy the sponges from most places you can buy irons.
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