Micro Project: DC Lab Supply on the Cheap

Regulated DC power supplies for lab use (or just simple prototyping) are hideously over-priced.

One option is to build your own, using a transformer to step down the 120VAC from the wall, rectify and regulate using capacitors and voltage regulators (LM79XX and LM78XX are the typical garden variety). This will be fine and good, but certainly not a fantastic DC supply.

Option two: pimp out an ATX power supply. Everybody I know who knows anything about computers has at least one ATX supply sitting around doing nothing. Why not put it to use?

Check out these sites for details:
http://www.instructables.com/id/E6D9DB9RPPEP286BR9/
http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply
http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/POWERSUPPLY.HTM

It's very simple to do... check out mine:

DC Power Supply

Micro Project: Fender Bassman 50 gets new diggs

I like combo amps, despite their tendency to destroy tubes by vibrating them to death. I decided to take my 197x Silverface Fender Bassman 50 head and turn it into a combo amp.

I built the cab using 9-ply 5/8" plywood. I'm not sure what type of wood it is made from, but it looked pretty quality. Click the photo album below to check out what I made.

Fender Bassman 50 Project

JRFarmer Engineering is born

Like the title says, JRFarmer Engineering is born. I will do my best to keep this blog up to date with my projects.

All questions and comments can be posted here, or by emailing me at JRFarmer@JRFarmer.com