I've done my previous designs straight to PCB, but decided that I wanted to try prototyping on turret board this round. Before, I'd only repaired turret board construction or built the occasional, simple kit... never designed from scratch.

Does anyone actually like using it for prototyping? My design's fairly complex (2 channels, tube-driven reverb, some bells and whistles, 10 pots, 4 switches, two indicator lights, etc.), and I'm finding just designing the layout and installing all the turrets a major pain, not to mention the aggravation I'm expecting when I start populating it and debugging the design.

I'd thought TB would give me easier access for debugging, but... I dunno. Am I missing a key insight?

Well, for prototyping, I wouldn't be doing a lay-out.

I'd simply: Put a bunch of turrets in rows. Bus a few of them for grounds, power rails, and such. And, then, solder the components I needed into place.

Obviously the pots and switches will need a solid mount and some turrets nearby....

Tag boards might be easier for this kind of work.



-tINY