Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: johnb806 on July 25, 2015, 09:41:32 AM

Title: Crack just completed
Post by: johnb806 on July 25, 2015, 09:41:32 AM

I have built many Heathkits back in the day including the H8 computer. The Crack is my first project in a long time. Thanks to lurking in the forum I caught an error that would have been a pain to correct later and fixed it. Otherwise everything went smoothly. Resistance and voltage checks were right on. Fired it up and put on the HD600s and listened to "I Remember You" by Diane Schurr. It was awesome.

The only difficulty I had was due to my vision. I am 67 and my never great eyes are now definitely showing their age. I was having a lot of trouble with depth perception leading to putting a hot iron where I didn't want it. I bought an Amscope stereo microscope and used the 5 power lenses and it worked great. Required a little getting used to but made things much easier and was great for inspecting solder joints. I tried a headband magnifier which helped and would probably work for most people but I need slightly different strengths in each eye and I can do that with the scope. I will be building the Speedball in the future and I am sure it will help with that. And, after all the projects are complete, it will make a great gift for the grandson.

Just wanted to say thanks for a great amp. Got to get back to listening now!

john

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: Grainger49 on July 25, 2015, 11:17:18 AM

John, welcome to the community!  I've built Heathkits, Dynakits and an Eico amp.  The manuals from Bottlehead shames them all.

When you get your cataracts fixed you vision gets fixed too.  I'm 65 and mine are developing.  It happens to us all. 

I also use a lighted magnifying glass.  Like this but I paid $38:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/21-12580

If you subscribe to MCM newsletters you will see these on sale every 3 months or so.

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: adydula on July 25, 2015, 12:11:24 PM

Congratulations John!!

I am a 66 yr old guy that enjoyed building many Heathkits as well.... gosh the HW-101 Amateur Radio 21 tube transceiver, the SB 200 1KW linear amplifier, and many others...... the Bottlehead Crack is like a journey back in time!!

Enjoy your build and music!!

All the best
Alex

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: johnb806 on July 26, 2015, 02:01:46 AM

Thanks to both of you. I am actually 66, 67 was typo (can't see and can't type ;). I had cataract surgery on right but developed swelling in the retina and have to wait for that to get better before vision will be right.
john

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: Doc B. on July 26, 2015, 06:47:35 AM

Eileen had the same swelling issue after cataract surgery and the drops she was given initially didn't seem to help and were fairly painful to use. It was resolved by using sulfa drugs.

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: johnb806 on July 27, 2015, 06:56:56 AM

ThanksDoc.
Right now I'm getting a series  of shots into the eyeball (not painful despite what it sounds like) that seem to be helping.
john

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: johnb806 on August 09, 2015, 03:00:55 AM

Just wanted to say that I just completed the speedball upgrade. Once again everything went problem free and fired right up with amazing sound. Thanks for the excellent product.
john

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: adydula on August 09, 2015, 04:01:20 AM

Great John!!

Just gies to show that us older "geezers" still can solder a mean joint!!!

LOL!

enjoy the music..

Alex

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: Grainger49 on August 09, 2015, 04:45:36 AM

John,

Thanks for posting.  The majority of builds and upgrades are flawless.  But the forum might give a different impression.

This is what happens if you follow the directions.

Congratulations! ! !

Title: Re: Crack just completed
Post by: adydula on August 09, 2015, 04:48:20 AM

You mean your supposed to read the instructions????

Ha! LOL!

Alex