PLAN B analog blog

Vector rails are available through most of the US part distributors
such as Digikey, Allied, Mouser, blah.  Once on their sites, do a
search for 'Vector T struts'.  

Although you can find generic 4-40 nuts small enough to fit in their
rails (we just did and saved a bundle over the Vector type), their
part number for the special square nuts which were designed to fit
into those rails is:  NT4-7PA.  Do another search on those sites once
you've found the T struts.  They run on the high side  - 25 for (ouch) $5.

Plan B is quite fortunate to have two specialty hardware (as in nut
and bolts, not hammers and brooms) stores in our general area. It was
actually only one originally - which was huge - but the owner of that store retired and sold his inventory to two different stores. We picked up from one of them some small brass 4-40 hex nuts that work just fine - meaning their outer diameter is small enough to fit in the Vector rails) for only a buck a pound.  Do you have any idea how many are needed for a pound?   A hell of a lot more than 25, I can tell ya
that!  Something along the lines of 300.  

You need to find 4-40 nuts with an outer diameter less than the
standard 3/16".  They're out there...we've got some!


- P



--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "jeswa" <j@...> wrote:
>
> Peter,
> Nice to get a little insight...
> I have been watching your Eclectic Music Box with lust for some time 
> now.  After closer inspection, I don't see any multiples. Do my eyes 
> decieve me or do you just patch dot-to-dot?
> Also, maybe you're not the guy to ask, but since you mentioned it, 
> where does one find vector rails?
> Toodeloo,
> Josh from Schematic
>  
> 
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure 
> that out)" <peter@> wrote:
> >
> > For reasons of sanity, unless there's a particularily hectic work 
> week and I need to catch 
> > up, or unless I've got a new circuit I'm wrapped up in, outside of 
> my weekly programming 
> > session with Phil Gallo on Sunday evenings, I have again begun to 
> reserve the weekends 
> > for composing.
> > 
> > Why am I telling you this?
> > 
> > Because this Saturday morning I sat down to begin putting some 
> ideas I"ve been kicking 
> > around on disk, and noticed a pesky hum coming from my analog rig 
> and decided to 
> > temporaily abandon my writing and instread give the behmouth a long 
> overdue overall.  
> > Something I suggest we all do in the next few weeks, especially 
> those of you who may be 
> > using Model 15's that are up to or over a year old.  Trim pots are 
> for adjusting - the otrher 
> > side of the same coin is they go out of adjustment.   Spring 
> cleaning takes care of this.
> > 
> > I spent the whole weekend - you need not take this much time.  
> Along with rewiring some 
> > of the power lines, I removed the last of the steal boats I 
> originally used to secure my 
> > modules out of the main cainet and replaced them with the last two 
> Vector moutning rails.  
> > Been meaning to do this for six months.  ThiIngs fit together much 
> nicer now and the 
> > cabinet, which originally weighted over 75 pounds EMPTY, is now a 
> stealth 45 pounds fully 
> > stuffed.  That's how much the four 16 gage steal boats weighed!
> > 
> > In the next few days I will be putting up a Model 15 tuning and 
> calibration procedure on 
> > EAR site.  It'll outline the proper method for 1V/oct adjustment, 
> as well as waveshape 
> > adjustment if you so happen to own an oscilloscope (highly 
> recommended - you can get 
> > them on the 'bay for under 100 bucks).
> > 
> > Back to the weekend:  Along with calibration, I converted the 
> system to a single voltage.  I 
> > have some beloved Blacet modules I still use constantly which were 
> running off their own 
> > 15 volt supply since forever.  I've now changed this so the entire 
> system runs off of two 3 
> > amp 12 volt supplies and in so doing, my hum disappeared.  I've got 
> Jensen transformers 
> > in my audio path so I'm quieter than most - but even with these 
> (highly recommended) 
> > devices, I had enough system noise that I didn't feel comfortable 
> recording quiet passages.  
> > 
> > If any of you are using a dual VCC standard, you may consider doing 
> this.
> > 
> > Look for an anouncement once the cal procedure goes live.
> > 
> > - P
> >
>