Homebuilding a pedal board, advice needed

7 Dying Trees · 09-26-2007, 12:00 PM

Never done any woodwork (which'd make this interesting) but also have an aversion to giving someone the best part of 100£ for something where I can't fit what I want on, hence I want to build one, hence:

-> Angles? Shoudl it be tilted?

-> Wood, what do I use, what type is adequate?

-> Anyone built one, I expect it isn't hard, but still...

-> Cases, any ideas for designs?

Currently I want to fit my FCB1010, two wahs and a whammy onto it, but possibly other crap as well. Just want to be able to slap it down, plug in an umbilical cord from the rack (with mains power, midi cable and cables running back and forth to the amp for the signal path)

So, help? I remember not being brilliant at woodwork, but was pretty good at lego!

Chris · 09-26-2007, 12:13 PM

Home use only? Make it out of MDF, and cover it with black carpet, or black stretchable vinyl.

metalfiend666 · 09-26-2007, 02:23 PM

Did you ever see my craptastic one when you came to see Promise No Lies? It was a plank of 10 or 15mm MDF with my Whammy and GNX4 attached with heavy duty sticky backed velcro. Worked fine, but over time the velcro unstuck from the MDF. Next time I'm playing live I'll use MDF and some cheap brackets from B & Q. If you ask nicely, I don't mind giving you a hand, plus I've got a good idea for making a removable lid too.

Lee · 09-26-2007, 02:35 PM

I don't have any pictures, but I made mine out of 1/2" MDF and covered it with grey outdoor carpet. I used a heavy duty staple gun to hold the carpet in place, and it works like a charm

darren · 09-26-2007, 03:17 PM

I made a little "power board" for a power strip and all my AC adapters out of a good-quality plywood scrap i had lying around.

I sprayed it with rattle-can pickup truck bed liner (spray on vinyl).

Truck Bed Coatings

I then mounted four large rubber feet to the back side (if i were designing it as a pedalboard, i would have used two to give it a slight tilt). These help prevent it from sliding around.

Then i used some aluminum drawer/cupboard handles around the perimeter as "kick guards" and handles for picking it up and transporting it.

These also give me convenient places to attach cable ties to keep the cables tidy and with a bit of strain relief.

7 Dying Trees · 09-27-2007, 09:24 AM

It's all giving me ideas

MDF sounds like a good (cheap) option.

What about ways of nicely routing cables under the board?

7 Dying Trees · 09-27-2007, 09:25 AM

...and yes, I will be gigging with this. It's to make life easier, slap board down, plug into rack, and all is good!

Leon · 09-27-2007, 10:48 AM

make me one too?

i've been meaning to put something together for my stuff (FCB1010 + wah + OD + envelope filter) as well, but haven't gotten around to it. probably posting too much

Lee · 09-27-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7 Dying Trees

What about ways of nicely routing cables under the board?

I used a daisy chain for my power source, but the concept should be the same. I attached the bottom and sides, and routed a hole for the power cable to exit the back. Then I set my pedals out how I wanted them on the top, and marked the areas that I needed to cut out for the individual power cables, cut them, ran the wires, and then attached the top. The carpet covered up most of the hole, and I just left a little notch for the cable to get through.

I hope that made at least some sense, I'm trying to describe it the best I can without having pictures

darren · 09-27-2007, 04:23 PM

I would caution you against using MDF, unless you're planning on sealing it up REALLY well, or you're not going to be playing bars or clubs where your pedalboard might be on a wet stage or near where drinks migh get sloshed on it. MDF soaks up water like a sponge and turns to mush. Plywood would be a better bet, in my opinion.

7 Dying Trees · 09-28-2007, 06:14 AM

See, i know nothing about woodwork... So Plywood is better? Need something sturdy, as my gear does have to withstand a fair amount of abuse...!

So an angled board, with holes in in it for cables and space for the power underneath sound like a plan?

Lee · 09-28-2007, 09:05 AM

I'm going home tonight, so I'd be happy to take some pictures to illustrate what the heck I'm talking about

7StringofAblicK · 09-28-2007, 09:22 AM

Yeah I need to create one as well. now if I could only find time...

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09-26-2007, 12:00 PM	#1
7 Dying Trees Sarcy English Twat Join Date: May 2004 Location: 7th Ethereal Plane of interstellar hell, Innit Bruv, Safe, London, UK Posts: 8,869 Thanked: 139 Feedback Score: 41 reviews	Homebuilding a pedal board, advice needed Never done any woodwork (which'd make this interesting) but also have an aversion to giving someone the best part of 100£ for something where I can't fit what I want on, hence I want to build one, hence: -> Angles? Shoudl it be tilted? -> Wood, what do I use, what type is adequate? -> Anyone built one, I expect it isn't hard, but still... -> Cases, any ideas for designs? Currently I want to fit my FCB1010, two wahs and a whammy onto it, but possibly other crap as well. Just want to be able to slap it down, plug in an umbilical cord from the rack (with mains power, midi cable and cables running back and forth to the amp for the signal path) So, help? I remember not being brilliant at woodwork, but was pretty good at lego! The Chaos has come: www.chaosanct.com

09-26-2007, 12:13 PM	#2
Chris metalguitarist.org Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boston, Mass Posts: 16,696 Thanked: 571 Feedback Score: 8 reviews	Home use only? Make it out of MDF, and cover it with black carpet, or black stretchable vinyl. Amp: 6505+ / Recto 4x12s Rack: Axe-Fx II / HD1221s

09-26-2007, 02:23 PM	#3
metalfiend666 - Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Basildon, England Posts: 9,688 Thanked: 47 Feedback Score: 16 reviews	Did you ever see my craptastic one when you came to see Promise No Lies? It was a plank of 10 or 15mm MDF with my Whammy and GNX4 attached with heavy duty sticky backed velcro. Worked fine, but over time the velcro unstuck from the MDF. Next time I'm playing live I'll use MDF and some cheap brackets from B & Q. If you ask nicely, I don't mind giving you a hand, plus I've got a good idea for making a removable lid too. www.metalguitarist.org

09-26-2007, 03:17 PM	#5
darren Decibel Guitars Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 11,474 Thanked: 75 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	I made a little "power board" for a power strip and all my AC adapters out of a good-quality plywood scrap i had lying around. I sprayed it with rattle-can pickup truck bed liner (spray on vinyl). Truck Bed Coatings I then mounted four large rubber feet to the back side (if i were designing it as a pedalboard, i would have used two to give it a slight tilt). These help prevent it from sliding around. Then i used some aluminum drawer/cupboard handles around the perimeter as "kick guards" and handles for picking it up and transporting it. These also give me convenient places to attach cable ties to keep the cables tidy and with a bit of strain relief. web \| facebook \| twitter

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09-26-2007, 02:35 PM	#4
Lee Above Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 1,367 Thanked: 25 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't have any pictures, but I made mine out of 1/2" MDF and covered it with grey outdoor carpet. I used a heavy duty staple gun to hold the carpet in place, and it works like a charm

09-27-2007, 09:24 AM	#6
7 Dying Trees Sarcy English Twat Join Date: May 2004 Location: 7th Ethereal Plane of interstellar hell, Innit Bruv, Safe, London, UK Posts: 8,869 Thanked: 139 Feedback Score: 41 reviews	It's all giving me ideas MDF sounds like a good (cheap) option. What about ways of nicely routing cables under the board? The Chaos has come: www.chaosanct.com

09-27-2007, 09:25 AM	#7
7 Dying Trees Sarcy English Twat Join Date: May 2004 Location: 7th Ethereal Plane of interstellar hell, Innit Bruv, Safe, London, UK Posts: 8,869 Thanked: 139 Feedback Score: 41 reviews	...and yes, I will be gigging with this. It's to make life easier, slap board down, plug into rack, and all is good! The Chaos has come: www.chaosanct.com

09-27-2007, 10:48 AM	#8
Leon {##[====:::. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nebula, Ohio Posts: 12,586 Thanked: 91 Feedback Score: 20 reviews	make me one too? i've been meaning to put something together for my stuff (FCB1010 + wah + OD + envelope filter) as well, but haven't gotten around to it. probably posting too much

09-27-2007, 04:23 PM	#10
darren Decibel Guitars Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 11,474 Thanked: 75 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	I would caution you against using MDF, unless you're planning on sealing it up REALLY well, or you're not going to be playing bars or clubs where your pedalboard might be on a wet stage or near where drinks migh get sloshed on it. MDF soaks up water like a sponge and turns to mush. Plywood would be a better bet, in my opinion. web \| facebook \| twitter

09-28-2007, 06:14 AM	#11
7 Dying Trees Sarcy English Twat Join Date: May 2004 Location: 7th Ethereal Plane of interstellar hell, Innit Bruv, Safe, London, UK Posts: 8,869 Thanked: 139 Feedback Score: 41 reviews	See, i know nothing about woodwork... So Plywood is better? Need something sturdy, as my gear does have to withstand a fair amount of abuse...! So an angled board, with holes in in it for cables and space for the power underneath sound like a plan? The Chaos has come: www.chaosanct.com

09-28-2007, 09:05 AM	#12
Lee Above Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 1,367 Thanked: 25 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm going home tonight, so I'd be happy to take some pictures to illustrate what the heck I'm talking about

09-28-2007, 09:22 AM	#13
7StringofAblicK SS Contributor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,930 Thanked: 25 $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $7StringofAblicK is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 19 reviews	Yeah I need to create one as well. now if I could only find time...

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