I thought it would be good to try doing smaller, more frequent updates, so in that spirit, let’s begin…
I’m using Spongeface’s Belt Gizmo kit, as noted above. I’ve looked at some build threads and read the instructions a few times and I think I’m ready to give it a shot. Here is my workspace all setup and ready to go…
I’m going to see how much I can get done in the new couple of days here… maybe all of the BP stuff. Those capacitors are so small, though… we shall see 
Just some advice coming from somebody who actually has been to a soldering school - clean up the two metals to be bonded with isopropyl alcohol, then apply some soldering flux for even heat transfer… makes a perfect, shiny bond! Make sure to clean off any risidual flux (it can get sticky)… However, the Navy has always been my supplier, so I don’t know what stores to get the stuff to suggest to you… Don’t know how well this advice will work on Spongeface’s kit, but if it works for circuit cards used in military weapons systems, it should work this application!
Patrick is that a printed circuit board?
Uniform is looking great! Ready to see that Gizmo build!
Thanks, Phil. I’ve done some soldering projects over the years, but I’ve never tried cleaning up the two surfaces with isopropyl alcohol… it makes good sense and I’ll give it a shot.
Yes it is 
There is a link to the kit in my first post.
Thanks, Bishop Don! It will be my first piece of “real” GB equipment, so I’m pretty excited.
I use 40/60 solder on my electronic projects, since it’s a printed board it should work. For my build I’ve finished the daughter board and now working on the mother board. I got both boards from junked out calculators from thrift stores.
It’s been a little while since I soldered, but I checked and I’ve got 40/60 solder, so I should be all set there
You seem to have a knack for finding just the right old materials to make something new and interesting. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
I just think like egon and ray …and I have a lot a free time from work
I was able to make a little progress over the weekend. I got some of the resistors mixed up, but these are just cosmetic so it doesn’t really matter…
I’m not really looking forward to the next step. Bending lots of little wires just so and shrink wrapping them is in my future…
Dude, that’s the best part! I just ordered my kit. I’ll be going to school on this thread so keep those updates coming! 
LOL… I know what you mean… Just a little uncertain about the best way to get those things installed correctly. I’m going to try doing one or two tonight and then I’ll be in ‘the zone’ and won’t want to stop
I know how you feel. One thing I noticed is your protected helping hands. Good call. My unprotected helping hands did scratch it up a bit.
Inching my way forward…
Long needle nose pliers were a big help here.
Gonna try unbending and wrapping 'em up tonight. Looking forward… shrinking those tubes is fun.
Thanks for the props, Hoot. I used two layers of shrink tube on each side of the clip and it still provides a nice firm grip. It’s the first time I’ve used one of these things and I like it. Easy to move, flip, turn around and stand the board you are working with.
Shrinking those tubes was fun. I cut sections of tubing just over 1cm in length for these. The instructions recommended 1/2" sections, but that seemed too long.
Then I soldered them to the board and repeated everything for the 7 remaining standing resistors. Here is what I have so far…
I’m feeling more confident with this section complete and I’m looking forward to the transistors, while trying not to think about the IC leg pins that await me.
I’ve really enjoyed it so far… my favorite part is how solid the components feel after they are soldered to the board… very cool!
That Gizmo is looking great! I just got my kit from spongeface and wanted to track my build along with yours. But I got so involved in the assembling the awesomeness that I worked straight through until I mounted the black ICs. I screwed the mounting of those up so watch out there. My build thread is here.
Man that looks very clean. I’ve enjoyed seeing your awesome progress on this.
Thanks for the compliment and inspiration, shootforit. Wish I could dedicate more time to this build… darned responsibilities keep getting in the way!
You’re telling me dude. Being an adult sucks. I had to build my scratch pack in five minute spurts because of baby responsibilities. With having to take care of my boy who was less than a year old at the time, I didn’t have long stretches of time to work on anything! I think while making my pack, there was ONE time when I had TWO WHOLE HOURS of interrupted build time. it was amazing how much I got done in that time.
I’m definitely overdue for an update here, so let’s begin…
When I started looking at the transistors and trying to figure out the best way to mount them, I noticed there were two kinds of transistors in my kit…
I had…
8x - C45 GR331 - slightly larger
2x - C45 P331 - smalle with shorter leads
I was careful to use the two smaller C 45 P331 transistors as the two that aren’t grouped together. That way, the group of 8 are all the same size.
The board with added transistor goodness…
A few days later, and the capacitors and the white resistor were added…
Then, I took my time and got this over with…
When heating up the black plastic to loosen the wires, you want to stop before it starts melting (as the instructions state). If you carefully watch the black plastic strip as you are heating, you can see when it JUST starts to melt. If you see that, STOP right away and you should be fine. Just try to heat the next section a little less.
Looking forward to soldering those bastards on very soon.
