Build Notes

GET READY

Before you begin, inspect the boards carefully to make sure there are no manufacturing defects that affect the traces or through-holes. It's a complicated design and occasional manufacturing glitches can happen. If you overlook something, or make a mistake soldering, keep in mind that the stribe's a fairly simple circuit - the complexity is in the high quanity of parts and their density on the board. Most glitches can be wired-around by hand if needed.

Tools you'll probably need: An adjustable temperature soldering station, I like to use a small soldering tip. You'll need a small assortment of decent snips, pliers and tweezers, solder, a solder-sucker, some solid core hobby wire just in case, and the occasional needle or dental tool will come in handy. In general when buying this stuff quality beats quantity every time. You'll use a really nice pair of snips all the time, while the cheap set will break immediately or languish in the closet.

You'll also need a file or sandpaper to whittle down the female headers for the LED board assembly. I use an old metal file from the shed - I think any file will do, like even a nail file should work, or sand paper and a block.



Most of all, be relaxed and don't try to do too much of the kit at once. Play some nice music and settle in. Too much caffeine leads to shaky hands, as does being tired. I know I get impatient and sloppy when I'm tired or stressed-out. Do a bit at a time and enjoy the process. There are a lot of rather expensive parts in this kit, so it would be a waste for it not to work right because you rushed it.

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Feel free to contact me with questions or post here before you do something rash.