Building your own guitar pedals can be a fulfilling and exciting experience for any guitarist. Not only does it allow you to customize your sound, but it also gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing you created something from scratch. However, building guitar pedals requires specific tools that are essential to the process. In this article, we’ll take a look at the essential tools for building guitar pedals, so you can get started on your next project.
This list comes from my own experience soldering guitar pedals for the last 17 years. Yeah, that’s right, I started when I was 17, and now I’m 34. My aim is also to stay under $100 for all the essential tools, since I see many other sites and so-called “experts” recommending soldering irons for $199. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create your first pedals. The quality of tools increased over all these years, and you can really find some great tools for an affordable price.
Soldering Iron
Soldering is probably one of the most important parts of building your own guitar pedals. A soldering iron is a tool used to heat up the solder, allowing it to flow and connect the components of the pedal together. A good soldering iron should have an adjustable temperature, a comfortable grip, interchangeable tips with good availability and enough power. Here is my personal favourite for a soldering Iron:
Can work over USB-C and old laptop power supplies (DC5525, 12V-20V C 3A) including batteries
OLED screen
Adjustable temperature
Auto-Standby and only 6 sec heatup time
Interchangeable tips
Now you ask what soldering Iron I currently use: Well it’s a Miniware TS100 that is really similar to the PINECIL but I paid more than $65 for it with a similar feature set so that’s why I won’t be recommending that one.
The only weird thing that you might think right now is where to get a power supply for that soldering iron since it’s not included. With many of use having already a 65W 20V Power supplies at home (laptops for example) it would be a waste of your money to get another one. But if you need one please read the wiki here:https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Pinecil_Power_Supplies
Are there any alternatives ? Sure there are, your usual Hakko and Weller soldering stations (you can google them), big as a tank and very inconvenient (in my honest opinion)….and way too expensive for the features they provide.
Solder
There is a lot of discussion going on for the right solder to use. Back in the days solder was only available with lead that was now banned and forbidden in the European Union (with the RoHS norm)
In my honest opinion and especially for beginners, I still recommend solder with lead. Why ? It’s simply easier to work with. It has a lower melting temperature and just flows better. It is still available in some shops and countries, but It’s just my recommendation.
The name for the solder is Sn63-Pb37 (stands for 67% tin and 37% lead) Lead free solder usually has these specifications: Sn99 Ag0.3 Cu0.7 – You have to experiment with it and try out different brands.
When it comes to solder thickness, it’s best to start with 1 mm, especially for through-hole components. However, for soldering surface mount device (SMD) parts like an FV-1 chip, a thickness of 0.6 mm is recommended. It’s worth noting that solder is available in different thicknesses, so you can experiment and find what works best for you.
When it comes to your health while soldering, it’s important to note that the temperature of your soldering iron typically ranges between 300-350 degrees Celsius, while the boiling point of lead is over 1740 degrees. This means that inhaling the flux inside the solder is more likely to cause health issues than the lead itself. To protect your health, it’s recommended to use an air filter with a carbon filter when soldering at home. This will help to filter out harmful fumes and particles, ensuring that the air you breathe is clean and safe. I will include a short section on air filters at the end of this article to provide more information.
Desoldering Tools:
Desoldering tools are essential for removing components and correcting mistakes when building guitar pedals. A desoldering pump, also known as a solder sucker, is a hand-held tool that can be used to remove excess solder from a joint. Another common tool is the desoldering braidor solder wick, which is a braided copper wire that can be placed over a joint to wick away excess solder.
In my experience, I would not suggest a manual desoldering pump. The cheap ones are pretty bad and a good one will cost you $23. I recently got myself a desoldering iron from amazon and really had a great experience desoldering over 40 switches on an old synthesizer. I’d rather recommend you that one for $39 than spending $23 on a manual pump.
You can find it here Solder wick can also be found on Amazon as well
A desoldering Iron is a valuable addition to any guitar pedal builder’s toolkit. It’s important to use the correct technique when using desoldering tools to avoid damaging the circuit board or components. With a bit of practice, anyone can master the art of desoldering and ensure that their guitar pedals are built to the highest standard.
Wire Cutters and Strippers
A good pair of wire cutters should have a sharp cutting edge and a comfortable grip. They should also be able to cut through different types of wire, including solid and stranded wires. I personally use relatively small wire cutters to cut the legs from resistors and other components when soldered to the PCB. For cutting wire I rather use the bigger Diagonal Cutters.
Wire strippers allow you to strip the insulation from the wire, exposing the bare copper. Look for wire strippers with adjustable gauges, so you can strip different sizes of wire.
Pliers and tweezers are essential tools for building guitar pedals. They allow you to grip and manipulate small components, making it easier to install them onto the circuit board. Here are some essential pliers and tweezers:
Long-Nose Pliers: Long-nose pliers have a long, pointed tip, making it easier to grip small components in tight spaces.
Diagonal Cutters: Diagonal cutters have a sharp cutting edge, making it easier to cut through small components and wires.
Tweezers: Tweezers allow you to pick up and place small components onto the circuit board. Look for tweezers with a pointed tip for precision.
Multimeter
A multimeter is an essential tool for building guitar pedals. It allows you to test the circuit board for continuity and voltage, ensuring that everything is connected correctly. Look for a multimeter with the following features:
Continuity tester and Diode tester: A continuity tester allows you to test the circuit board for continuity, ensuring that everything is connected correctly. It also helps you to test your diodes. Voltage Tester: A voltage tester allows you to test the voltage of different components, ensuring that they’re working correctly. Resistance: It will measure the resistance of your resistors, so you can check if you soldered the right resistor into your PCB Capacitor measuring: While I recommend another tool for measuring capacitors BEFORE soldering them into a board, it’s a great feature that should be included in your multimeter
You can find an affordable model here. When looking for alternatives, check out some YouTube reviews and make sure it has Auto Ranging, since it would be a pain to choose the range of your component before measuring it. You know, I’be been there 10 years ago, when auto-range multimeters weren’t that affordable. Of course you can buy yourself a Fluke which is like the Rolls Royce of the Multimeter world if you can afford it (picture) in yellow)
Multi Function Tester
This is a device that recently got a lot of new users in the DIY community. While it works like a usual multimeter, it can measure Transistors, can measure various parameters of capacitors that other multimeters can’t and provides an easy way to test all your components. Trust me there is nothing more frustrating than soldering in a defective capacitor and troubleshooting your circuit for hours and not finding the problem. There are similar devices on the market but they cost a fortune. For 20 bucks this is a clear recommendation from me.
Find it here (you can find it cheaper on AliExpress, but decide yourself if it’s worth the hassle)
Step drill & Center punch
I could tell you 100 stories when I failed with drilling a hole for the 3PDT guitar pedal footswitch because I simply didn’t have a large enough drill bit and how many effect enclosures I wasted by not using a center punch. While these tools onl cost you roughly $9 they save you a lot of nerves.
I won’t be including a battery powered drill here, since I think that nearly every household has one. If not, ask your dad/grandpa/uncle if you can borrow one for a day or two.
An adjustable wrench is a versatile tool that can be used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts of different sizes. In guitar pedal building, there are various sizes of nuts and bolts that need to be tightened, and having an adjustable wrench makes it easy to adjust the tool to fit the specific size needed.
Alternatively, you can always buy a wrench set or multitools, but it will be more expensive. If you’re on a budget, you could also tighten the nuts with the long nose pliers (been there – done that, be careful to not scratch the surface of your case though)
This might be very funny to you, but this improved my workflow when soldering components so much that I didn’t want to leave it out of this list.
Modeling Play Dough is a weird, but highly effective tool that can help when building guitar pedals. One of the challenges of soldering small components onto a printed circuit board (PCB) is holding them in place while you apply the solder. This is where Play-Doh comes in handy. It can be molded into any shape and provides a soft, pliable surface that can hold components in place while you work. Simply mold a small amount of Play-Doh around the component leads, and it will hold them securely in place, while also preventing them from moving during the soldering process. Play-Dough is also heat-resistant, so it won’t melt or deform during the soldering process. This is a low-cost and effective solution to an otherwise tricky problem, and is a great example of how everyday household items can be repurposed for a specific task. By using Play-Dough, you can ensure that your components are held securely in place during soldering, making for a more efficient and high-quality soldering process.
In this section, we will discuss some of the other optional tools that you can get for building guitar pedals. While they are not essential, they will definitely help you to make the building process easier and safe.
Soldering Fume Exctractors & Air Filters
Soldering involves heating a metal alloy to create a bond between two or more components. During this process, the flux in the solder produces fumes that can contain harmful substances. Inhaling these fumes can cause health problems, such as respiratory issues and neurological damage.
A soldering fume extractor is a tool that captures and removes these fumes from the air. It uses a fan to draw the fumes away from the work area and through a filter that traps the harmful substances. This ensures that the air in the work area remains clean and safe to breathe.
Throughout all the years I was always looking for a decent soldering fume extractor and was disappointed by the available devices on the market. A small extractor will cost you $40 and will only have a small carbon activated sponge. To be honest, I don’t think such a small sponge can filter out the soldering fumes effectively.
In the last few years there were a lot of hype for air filters for home use. You probably have head of the Xaiomi Air Purifyer lineup. I was thinking to myself why I couldn’t use an air filter that was intended for cleaning the air in your room as a fume extractor.
The benefits are clear:
The suction is way more powerful that with all the small fume extractors on the market
The filters are way bigger and more effective
The only important thing in such an air filter would be the activated carbon because some of the filters doesn’t have it.
The best thing about these air filters is that you can not only use them for soldering, but also for your home. But please buy a spare filter so you don’t run your dirty filter with soldering fumes 24/7.
Safety Glasses
When soldering guitar pedals, it is not a bad idea to wear eye protection such as glasses. Soldering involves heating a metal alloy to create a bond between components, and this process can create tiny droplets of molten metal that can fly through the air and potentially damage the eyes. In addition, when cutting wires or trimming components, tiny pieces can also fly off and potentially harm the eyes. Wearing glasses provides a barrier that protects the eyes from any flying debris, and ensures a safe and healthy work environment.
When soldering guitar pedals, a soldering mat can be a great addition to your workspace. A soldering mat is a heat-resistant, non-conductive surface that provides a safe and stable surface to work on. It protects your work area from heat damage, prevents slippage of components, and reduces the risk of accidental burns. In addition, a soldering mat often has helpful features such as printed circuit board layouts, measurement scales, and storage compartments for small parts. Using a soldering mat can make the soldering process more efficient and organized, and can also help to prolong the life of your work surface. By using a soldering mat, you can ensure that you have a safe and organized workspace.
When building guitar pedals, a printed circuit board (PCB) holder can be a useful tool to hold the board steady while soldering. A PCB holder is a device that clamps onto the edges of the board and holds it in place, freeing up your hands to focus on the soldering work. This helps to prevent the board from moving or shaking, which can cause mistakes and lower the quality of the final product. It also provides a comfortable and ergonomic work position, reducing the strain on your hands and improving your accuracy. Some PCB holders also have adjustable angles and height, which makes it easier to reach all areas of the board.
When I started to write this blog post I gave myself a limit of $100. As a beginner you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money so I wanted to only include the bare essentials (I’m leaving out the desoldering gun, diagonal cutters and multi function tester here, as well as all the other optional tools)
Soldering Iron: $26 Solder: $9 Solder Wick: $4 Wire Cutters: $8 Wire Strippers: $5 Long nose pliers: $7 Tweezers $7 Multimeter: $18 Step Drill & Center Punch: $9 Adjustable wrench: $8 Play Dough: $8 —————– $109
Conclusion
Building guitar pedals can be a fun and rewarding experience for any musician. However, it requires the right tools to make the process easier and more efficient. By using the essential tools for building guitar pedals, you can create a pedal that is customized to your sound and style without breaking the bank. Remember to follow safety guidelines, and have fun exploring the world of DIY pedal building.
Essential Tools For Building Guitar Pedals: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction:
Building your own guitar pedals can be a fulfilling and exciting experience for any guitarist. Not only does it allow you to customize your sound, but it also gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing you created something from scratch. However, building guitar pedals requires specific tools that are essential to the process. In this article, we’ll take a look at the essential tools for building guitar pedals, so you can get started on your next project.
This list comes from my own experience soldering guitar pedals for the last 17 years. Yeah, that’s right, I started when I was 17, and now I’m 34. My aim is also to stay under $100 for all the essential tools, since I see many other sites and so-called “experts” recommending soldering irons for $199. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create your first pedals. The quality of tools increased over all these years, and you can really find some great tools for an affordable price.
Soldering Iron
Soldering is probably one of the most important parts of building your own guitar pedals. A soldering iron is a tool used to heat up the solder, allowing it to flow and connect the components of the pedal together. A good soldering iron should have an adjustable temperature, a comfortable grip, interchangeable tips with good availability and enough power. Here is my personal favourite for a soldering Iron:
I recommend the PINECIL – Smart Mini Portable Soldering Iron. The reasons are simple:
Now you ask what soldering Iron I currently use: Well it’s a Miniware TS100 that is really similar to the PINECIL but I paid more than $65 for it with a similar feature set so that’s why I won’t be recommending that one.
The only weird thing that you might think right now is where to get a power supply for that soldering iron since it’s not included. With many of use having already a 65W 20V Power supplies at home (laptops for example) it would be a waste of your money to get another one. But if you need one please read the wiki here: https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Pinecil_Power_Supplies
Are there any alternatives ? Sure there are, your usual Hakko and Weller soldering stations (you can google them), big as a tank and very inconvenient (in my honest opinion)….and way too expensive for the features they provide.
Solder
There is a lot of discussion going on for the right solder to use. Back in the days solder was only available with lead that was now banned and forbidden in the European Union (with the RoHS norm)
In my honest opinion and especially for beginners, I still recommend solder with lead. Why ? It’s simply easier to work with. It has a lower melting temperature and just flows better. It is still available in some shops and countries, but It’s just my recommendation.
The name for the solder is Sn63-Pb37 (stands for 67% tin and 37% lead)
Lead free solder usually has these specifications: Sn99 Ag0.3 Cu0.7 – You have to experiment with it and try out different brands.
When it comes to solder thickness, it’s best to start with 1 mm, especially for through-hole components. However, for soldering surface mount device (SMD) parts like an FV-1 chip, a thickness of 0.6 mm is recommended. It’s worth noting that solder is available in different thicknesses, so you can experiment and find what works best for you.
Example solder
When it comes to your health while soldering, it’s important to note that the temperature of your soldering iron typically ranges between 300-350 degrees Celsius, while the boiling point of lead is over 1740 degrees. This means that inhaling the flux inside the solder is more likely to cause health issues than the lead itself. To protect your health, it’s recommended to use an air filter with a carbon filter when soldering at home. This will help to filter out harmful fumes and particles, ensuring that the air you breathe is clean and safe. I will include a short section on air filters at the end of this article to provide more information.
Desoldering Tools:
Desoldering tools are essential for removing components and correcting mistakes when building guitar pedals. A desoldering pump, also known as a solder sucker, is a hand-held tool that can be used to remove excess solder from a joint. Another common tool is the desoldering braidor solder wick, which is a braided copper wire that can be placed over a joint to wick away excess solder.
In my experience, I would not suggest a manual desoldering pump. The cheap ones are pretty bad and a good one will cost you $23. I recently got myself a desoldering iron from amazon and really had a great experience desoldering over 40 switches on an old synthesizer. I’d rather recommend you that one for $39 than spending $23 on a manual pump.
You can find it here
Solder wick can also be found on Amazon as well
A desoldering Iron is a valuable addition to any guitar pedal builder’s toolkit. It’s important to use the correct technique when using desoldering tools to avoid damaging the circuit board or components. With a bit of practice, anyone can master the art of desoldering and ensure that their guitar pedals are built to the highest standard.
Wire Cutters and Strippers
A good pair of wire cutters should have a sharp cutting edge and a comfortable grip. They should also be able to cut through different types of wire, including solid and stranded wires. I personally use relatively small wire cutters to cut the legs from resistors and other components when soldered to the PCB. For cutting wire I rather use the bigger Diagonal Cutters.
Wire strippers allow you to strip the insulation from the wire, exposing the bare copper. Look for wire strippers with adjustable gauges, so you can strip different sizes of wire.
Example: Wire Cutters
Example: Wire Strippers
Pliers and Tweezers
Pliers and tweezers are essential tools for building guitar pedals. They allow you to grip and manipulate small components, making it easier to install them onto the circuit board. Here are some essential pliers and tweezers:
Long-Nose Pliers: Long-nose pliers have a long, pointed tip, making it easier to grip small components in tight spaces.
Diagonal Cutters: Diagonal cutters have a sharp cutting edge, making it easier to cut through small components and wires.
Tweezers: Tweezers allow you to pick up and place small components onto the circuit board. Look for tweezers with a pointed tip for precision.
Multimeter
A multimeter is an essential tool for building guitar pedals. It allows you to test the circuit board for continuity and voltage, ensuring that everything is connected correctly. Look for a multimeter with the following features:
Continuity tester and Diode tester: A continuity tester allows you to test the circuit board for continuity, ensuring that everything is connected correctly. It also helps you to test your diodes.
Voltage Tester: A voltage tester allows you to test the voltage of different components, ensuring that they’re working correctly.
Resistance: It will measure the resistance of your resistors, so you can check if you soldered the right resistor into your PCB
Capacitor measuring: While I recommend another tool for measuring capacitors BEFORE soldering them into a board, it’s a great feature that should be included in your multimeter
You can find an affordable model here. When looking for alternatives, check out some YouTube reviews and make sure it has Auto Ranging, since it would be a pain to choose the range of your component before measuring it. You know, I’be been there 10 years ago, when auto-range multimeters weren’t that affordable. Of course you can buy yourself a Fluke which is like the Rolls Royce of the Multimeter world if you can afford it (picture) in yellow)
Multi Function Tester
This is a device that recently got a lot of new users in the DIY community. While it works like a usual multimeter, it can measure Transistors, can measure various parameters of capacitors that other multimeters can’t and provides an easy way to test all your components. Trust me there is nothing more frustrating than soldering in a defective capacitor and troubleshooting your circuit for hours and not finding the problem. There are similar devices on the market but they cost a fortune. For 20 bucks this is a clear recommendation from me.
Find it here (you can find it cheaper on AliExpress, but decide yourself if it’s worth the hassle)
Step drill & Center punch
I could tell you 100 stories when I failed with drilling a hole for the 3PDT guitar pedal footswitch because I simply didn’t have a large enough drill bit and how many effect enclosures I wasted by not using a center punch. While these tools onl cost you roughly $9 they save you a lot of nerves.
I won’t be including a battery powered drill here, since I think that nearly every household has one. If not, ask your dad/grandpa/uncle if you can borrow one for a day or two.
Here’s a great set of a Step Drill & Center Punch
Adjustable Wrench
An adjustable wrench is a versatile tool that can be used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts of different sizes. In guitar pedal building, there are various sizes of nuts and bolts that need to be tightened, and having an adjustable wrench makes it easy to adjust the tool to fit the specific size needed.
Alternatively, you can always buy a wrench set or multitools, but it will be more expensive. If you’re on a budget, you could also tighten the nuts with the long nose pliers (been there – done that, be careful to not scratch the surface of your case though)
Here’s an example of an adjustable wrench
Modeling Play Dough
This might be very funny to you, but this improved my workflow when soldering components so much that I didn’t want to leave it out of this list.
Modeling Play Dough is a weird, but highly effective tool that can help when building guitar pedals. One of the challenges of soldering small components onto a printed circuit board (PCB) is holding them in place while you apply the solder. This is where Play-Doh comes in handy. It can be molded into any shape and provides a soft, pliable surface that can hold components in place while you work. Simply mold a small amount of Play-Doh around the component leads, and it will hold them securely in place, while also preventing them from moving during the soldering process. Play-Dough is also heat-resistant, so it won’t melt or deform during the soldering process. This is a low-cost and effective solution to an otherwise tricky problem, and is a great example of how everyday household items can be repurposed for a specific task. By using Play-Dough, you can ensure that your components are held securely in place during soldering, making for a more efficient and high-quality soldering process.
You can find it here
Optional Tools
In this section, we will discuss some of the other optional tools that you can get for building guitar pedals. While they are not essential, they will definitely help you to make the building process easier and safe.
Soldering Fume Exctractors & Air Filters
Soldering involves heating a metal alloy to create a bond between two or more components. During this process, the flux in the solder produces fumes that can contain harmful substances. Inhaling these fumes can cause health problems, such as respiratory issues and neurological damage.
A soldering fume extractor is a tool that captures and removes these fumes from the air. It uses a fan to draw the fumes away from the work area and through a filter that traps the harmful substances. This ensures that the air in the work area remains clean and safe to breathe.
Throughout all the years I was always looking for a decent soldering fume extractor and was disappointed by the available devices on the market. A small extractor will cost you $40 and will only have a small carbon activated sponge. To be honest, I don’t think such a small sponge can filter out the soldering fumes effectively.
In the last few years there were a lot of hype for air filters for home use. You probably have head of the Xaiomi Air Purifyer lineup. I was thinking to myself why I couldn’t use an air filter that was intended for cleaning the air in your room as a fume extractor.
The benefits are clear:
The only important thing in such an air filter would be the activated carbon because some of the filters doesn’t have it.
As of right now, I can recommend 2 devices:
The Xiaomi Smart Air Purifyer 4 Compact (Has an activated carbon filter)
The Ikea Förnunftig (You need the optional carbon filter set)
The best thing about these air filters is that you can not only use them for soldering, but also for your home. But please buy a spare filter so you don’t run your dirty filter with soldering fumes 24/7.
Safety Glasses
When soldering guitar pedals, it is not a bad idea to wear eye protection such as glasses. Soldering involves heating a metal alloy to create a bond between components, and this process can create tiny droplets of molten metal that can fly through the air and potentially damage the eyes. In addition, when cutting wires or trimming components, tiny pieces can also fly off and potentially harm the eyes. Wearing glasses provides a barrier that protects the eyes from any flying debris, and ensures a safe and healthy work environment.
You can find some safety glasses here
Soldering Mat
When soldering guitar pedals, a soldering mat can be a great addition to your workspace. A soldering mat is a heat-resistant, non-conductive surface that provides a safe and stable surface to work on. It protects your work area from heat damage, prevents slippage of components, and reduces the risk of accidental burns. In addition, a soldering mat often has helpful features such as printed circuit board layouts, measurement scales, and storage compartments for small parts. Using a soldering mat can make the soldering process more efficient and organized, and can also help to prolong the life of your work surface. By using a soldering mat, you can ensure that you have a safe and organized workspace.
You can find a soldering mat here
PCB Circuit Board Holder
When building guitar pedals, a printed circuit board (PCB) holder can be a useful tool to hold the board steady while soldering. A PCB holder is a device that clamps onto the edges of the board and holds it in place, freeing up your hands to focus on the soldering work. This helps to prevent the board from moving or shaking, which can cause mistakes and lower the quality of the final product. It also provides a comfortable and ergonomic work position, reducing the strain on your hands and improving your accuracy. Some PCB holders also have adjustable angles and height, which makes it easier to reach all areas of the board.
You can find a PCB Holder here
What about the costs?
When I started to write this blog post I gave myself a limit of $100. As a beginner you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money so I wanted to only include the bare essentials (I’m leaving out the desoldering gun, diagonal cutters and multi function tester here, as well as all the other optional tools)
Solder: $9
Solder Wick: $4
Wire Cutters: $8
Wire Strippers: $5
Long nose pliers: $7
Tweezers $7
Multimeter: $18
Step Drill & Center Punch: $9
Adjustable wrench: $8
Play Dough: $8
—————–
$109
Conclusion
Building guitar pedals can be a fun and rewarding experience for any musician. However, it requires the right tools to make the process easier and more efficient. By using the essential tools for building guitar pedals, you can create a pedal that is customized to your sound and style without breaking the bank. Remember to follow safety guidelines, and have fun exploring the world of DIY pedal building.