Tips And Troubleshooting

the software I use is known as DIY layout Editor they have updated releases available however for the sake of being lazy I just stuck with the one you see my layouts on here.

Tips.
0. Trust my layouts because I go to great lengths to build and test each layout before I even think about posting them on here, when a week goes by and I haven't posted a layout the reason is usually because the layout didn't work.
if it doesn't work it doesn't get posted.

1. Take things really slowly, always count the holes, on larger projects I even label the X Y axis of the board so I don't accidentally misplace a part - so many projects in the past have fallen to a misplaced part.

2. Once you have finished your soldering, run a scalpel/stanley knife down each track in-between to catch any little stray whiskers of solder that have found their way to arcing strips

3. Double check electrolytic polarities - it's never fun when one of those explodes in your face!

4. Make sure your track cuts are well and truly cut, sometimes I've found micro slithers of track left over after cutting.

5. Make it as neat as possible, not only does a nice looking board give greater satisfaction but it also aids troubleshooting should something go wrong.

6. If you want to add a volume pot to one of the audio projects - choose a pot for example a 100K pot (I usually use this value) use this diagram:

 7. Here is a key to basic aspects of my stripboard layouts.

E = Emitter
B = Base
C = Collector

8. If your project doesn't work - double check slowly and carefully every facet of your work - if you find nothing wrong - leave it for a day and come back to it and check it again - often this helps clear the mind enough to see the error. my most common errors were transistor placement because I would have one companies transistor which would be exactly the same except for the pinout which would stuff everything.
I bought a cheap transistor tester from china to remove this problem as they tell you which pin is what.



If you wish to ask me to help you troubleshoot a problem I am more than happy to help however I will need the following criteria to be met 
a. Don't tell me you've done everything right - it is superfluous information and also infers you think I've made a mistake which I know I haven't because I never publish unverified layouts.
b. Make sure you have followed all of the advice listed above
c. Tell me the symptoms of the problem - do parts get hot, does it do anything at all and so on
d. Send me a clear picture of both the front and back of the board plus all offboard wiring.
e. Tell me the test conditions - for example did you power it from a power supply, use a guitar,went into and amp etc.