Base assembly

[jbraveman]

This is my first DIY electronics project so I apologize if this has been covered before.  I searched the forum without any results.  I'm wondering what is the best method for assembling the base.  Are nails needed to keep it together?  If so, what tricks are useful for keeping things lined up?  I would also welcome some tips on finishing the wood.  I'm planning to stain the wood and then use a polyurethane finish.

Thanks.

[Caucasian Blackplate]

There is a sheet of paper with instructions generally provided with the wood bases.  You need blue painters' tape and wood glue, and you'll be golden.

Finishing the wood is another story...

[booangler]

Doc,

If you are following this can you post the file. That way Grainger does not have to take a photo of his. I am going to make a base of Box Elder, the instructions would be a great help to me.

Thanks,

Alan

[Mike F1]

This is what I do:

-   Rough cut your stock to approx length (1-2” longer) (4 pieces) 3/4" thick X +/-3" high.
-   45deg cut one end only… must be a perfect 45! Not 44.8. (set your saw up with scrap piece of wood first)
-   Cut a +/- 1/8” rabbit cut for the top plate to recess in. I normally just use the thickness of my table saw blade. Just lower it to 3/8” high.
-   Test fit with top plate.
-   Cut the other side to 45deg (use top plate to measure the exact cut) I like to cut a little big then “nibble down” test fitting in between cuts just to make sure. Make sure you allow room for the thickness in the paint or top coat.
-   Once all the cuts are done, install painters tape, glue up and clamp it all together in a Box/band clamp. This will enable you to get the corners tight. I place the top plate on just to make sure the base is square.

After the glue has cured, and if there is room, I like to install small 45deg wedges to the inside for extra strength.

I hope that helps?

Mike

[jbraveman]

I got the precut alder wood base with my quickie.  I didn't get the instructions about assembly however.  It would be great if all the instructions could be availble on line.  Thanks for the tips.

[Wardsweb]

I use some tie-downs to hold it all very tight while it dries. A good flat surface helps to keep things level.

[Len]

The base instructions could be put on line.  Though you do understand why the schematics and parts list wouldn't be on line?  Thinking about it the instructions would be dangerous on line too.

Looking to protect the Bottlehead intellectual property here.

Agreed. But with some sophistication and a lot of extra work on Bottlehead's part, maybe permissions could be set for users based on their purchases.

Personally, I wouldn't want such a headache. Thinking about it now, I wouldn't even want it as a user.

[Doc B.]

http://www.bottlehead.com/docs/woodbase.pdf

[booangler]

Thanks Doc!!

[Doc B.]

Agreed. But with some sophistication and a lot of extra work on Bottlehead's part, maybe permissions could be set for users based on their purchases.

It's already in the shopping cart software, and we have been wrestling a bit with making the a PDF of a manual available for download to a qualified purchaser. There are some permission issues on our server that are not working with the path definitions, and we haven't yet figured out a workaround that would properly protect the document files.

[jbraveman]

The base instructions could be put on line.  Though you do understand why the schematics and parts list wouldn't be on line?  Thinking about it the instructions would be dangerous on line too.

Looking to protect the Bottlehead intellectual property here.

Agreed. But with some sophistication and a lot of extra work on Bottlehead's part, maybe permissions could be set for users based on their purchases.

Personally, I wouldn't want such a headache. Thinking about it now, I wouldn't even want it as a user.

It would have been nice to see some of the introductory stuff about needed equipment before getting the package.  I think its also reasonable to see if the project is too hard before making a purchase.   I can understand the concerns about protecting the information.

[Grainger49]

Doc has just started this site and not everything has been included yet.

I researched a thread a few days ago at the Old Site (that is a hot link to the old site) and here is the thread I found there:

Old Thread From Search

With it I started a thread here with suggested tools.  Sorry it was not there for you when you started I hadn't thought of it yet.  I'm not a Bottlehead employee just part of the community.

My Thread

I have added hot links to sources in the second post in that thread.  I also have some bookmarks to inexpensive tools from Harbor Freight and much better tools from Sears that I will share if you want them and PM me.  These are just suggestions, you can purchase anywhere.  I have taken the time to search for them at stores that I have used myself.