# SMD Benjolin… technical help **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY STUFF\ **Created:** [February 19, 2020, 12:39pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283 "2020-02-19T12:39:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![plingboot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@plingboot](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/plingboot)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 12:39pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/1 "2020-02-19T12:39:18Z")
Having seen sam’s vid on the benjolin I thought I’d have a go at building one. I downloaded the SMT version of the eagle files from a Github linked on Muffwiggler, exported Gerber files and ordered some boards from JLCPCB. There’s a BOM which is basically an export from the Eagle file so, for an electronics newbie, it’s not super helpful when trying to navigate the maze of options on Mouser. I’ve created a first draft order list of mfr and mouser product codes, but could use some advice on specifics. When shopping for SMD resistors - for synths - should I be buying thick or thin film and what % value should I be looking at? A similar question for ceramic capacitors - what voltage and % values should I be specifying? Sorry if this is a bit basic, but I need to start somewhere… ---
**Author:** ![d42kn355](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/d42kn355/32/273_2.png) [@d42kn355](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/d42kn355)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 1:37pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/2 "2020-02-19T13:37:11Z")
oh definitely following. SMD is hopefully my next step. I need to get into making PCB’s but have no idea how lol. ---
**Author:** ![ChristianBloch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/christianbloch/32/56_2.png) [@ChristianBloch](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/ChristianBloch)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/3 "2020-02-19T15:32:15Z")
Just make sure you get the right package. I’d get 1% resistors and minimum 25V capacitors. ---
**Author:** ![Bitnik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/bitnik/32/274_2.png) [@Bitnik](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Bitnik)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 4:29pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/4 "2020-02-19T16:29:38Z")
I’ve heard that some people get good results from a toaster oven and a good thermometer and a timer. One guy I have spoken to online swears by his microscope and a fine tipped thermostatic soldering iron. I have to say that the toaster oven method sounds more reliable for those of us whose soldering skills are limited. ---
**Author:** ![popflier](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/popflier/32/80_2.png) [@popflier](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/popflier)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 1:39am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/5 "2020-02-20T01:39:41Z")
Mouser, I feel, is extremely challenging when you are new to electronics. There’s SO MANY OPTIONS and when you think you have the right thing you second guess yourself. Once I was introduced to Tayda my life changed. It was so much easier to find the parts I needed. I also found Tayda to be significantly cheaper than Mouser. [https://www.taydaelectronics.com](https://www.taydaelectronics.com) ---
**Author:** ![plingboot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@plingboot](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/plingboot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 9:18am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/6 "2020-02-20T09:18:14Z")
I had a look at Tayda and their site is significantly better to use than mouser, but they don’t have all the SMD parts I need for the build. I’ll do a wish list of the bits I need/they have later and see how much cheaper they are. ---
**Author:** ![JUXTAPOZ74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/juxtapoz74/32/523_2.png) [@JUXTAPOZ74](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/JUXTAPOZ74)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 11:58am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/7 "2020-02-20T11:58:06Z")
Share picts and info as you go, very interested in this build. ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/8 "2020-02-20T14:19:56Z")
If you want, you can ask if they will consider stocking what you want. I asked and got my way at least twice now. ---
**Author:** ![Farabide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecc23a/32.png) [@Farabide](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Farabide)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/9 "2020-02-20T14:41:21Z")
Just as an aside, I’m too clumsy and impatient for smd projects but I’m looking into how JLBPCB will populate the smd components for you. Anyone else tried? ---
**Author:** ![JUXTAPOZ74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/juxtapoz74/32/523_2.png) [@JUXTAPOZ74](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/JUXTAPOZ74)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/10 "2020-02-20T14:46:11Z")
Same here, please share links and picts as you go, the more info the better. ---
**Author:** ![plingboot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@plingboot](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/plingboot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/11 "2020-02-20T14:57:31Z")
I will play around with the ordering system to see what it might cost - but to be honest I’ve been drawn into this rabbit hole because I really like making things - [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/plingbootleatherwork/) - when it comes to actually attempting to make music, that’s when I’ll be hitting a brick wall. I did think about ordering a solder stencil - that might make SMD assembly a little quicker - or a complete mess. ---
**Author:** ![JUXTAPOZ74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/juxtapoz74/32/523_2.png) [@JUXTAPOZ74](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/JUXTAPOZ74)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/12 "2020-02-20T15:02:02Z")
Looks awesome, I need a travel case for a Dreadbox V3. ---
**Author:** ![ChristianBloch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/christianbloch/32/56_2.png) [@ChristianBloch](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/ChristianBloch)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2020, 5:52pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/13 "2020-02-20T17:52:48Z")
> [@plingboot](#): > > I’ve been drawn into this rabbit hole because I really like making things - [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/plingbootleatherwork/) Wow, those are absolutely gorgeous! 😍 ---
**Author:** ![antoine.pasde2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/antoine.pasde2/32/326_2.png) [@antoine.pasde2](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/antoine.pasde2)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/14 "2020-02-26T22:41:43Z")
I haven’t tried but I am also tempted. Which EDA software do you plan on using? Someone I know said he had trouble doing it from an Eagle project. Let us know how it turns out, if you try. ---
**Author:** ![plingboot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@plingboot](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/plingboot)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/15 "2020-02-28T10:56:18Z")
I’ve had a message to say that the PCBs are on their way from the factory. I’ve been wrestling mouser to create a BOM for this (and a bunch of other projects). The main problem was finding current/available parts for those that are discontinued. I think I’ve sorted it though. After doing a similar task for the other projects on the workbench my Mouser basket came to £180!! so I’ve had a word with myself and limited it to just the Benjolin parts for now. I’ll post pics of the boards when they arrive. As an aside, I had an idea that I’d attempt to convert the readily available schematic pdf into a through hole pcb - as they’re not commercially available. My thinking being that through hole components might be less expensive. This however, is going to be a longer task as I need to get to grips with Eagle… I also need a clear idea of what sounds I can produce from the modules I’ve bought and what additional modules I might need to make a coherent set-up. So far I have [Ripples](https://www.amazingsynth.com/ripples-pcb/), [Plancks2](https://pushermanproductions.com/product/jak-plugg-open-source-plancks-mk2-8hp-frames-pcb-black-anodized-aluminium-panel-set/), [Peaks](https://www.amazingsynth.com/peaks-pcb/), [Ornament and Crime](https://pushermanproductions.com/product/mini-ornament-crime-pcb/), Benjolin, [motivation radio](https://pushermanproductions.com/product/motivation-radio-esp32-based-eurorack-breakout-module-pcb-fr4-panel/), [XIIO](https://pushermanproductions.com/product/doboz-xiio-touchplate-keyboard/) and a eurorack [oscilloscope conversion kit](https://pushermanproductions.com/product/dso150-mk2-oscilloscope-eurorack-conversion-kit-14hp-pcb-panel/). ---
**Author:** ![plingboot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@plingboot](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/plingboot)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 4:01pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/16 "2020-03-10T16:01:42Z")
Benjolin boards arrived today… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/1X/d4f8363a32bce62ff94f30d68b12410a42824065.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![X23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c37758/32.png) [@X23](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/X23)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 7:58am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/17 "2023-11-30T07:58:49Z")
Hey, saw you Double Benjolin…any chance u’d share the schematics for it, i’d love to build one SMDed for my eurorack… ---
**Author:** ![d42kn355](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/d42kn355/32/273_2.png) [@d42kn355](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/d42kn355)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/smd-benjolin-technical-help/283/18 "2023-12-01T15:55:20Z")
mine is not SMD. it is simply Rob’s with caspers and jolin labs modifications. If you want one that is open source, smd, and for eurorack, look up the forestcarver benjolin on github. The Gerber files are openly available. If you are deadset on doing your own layout, start here: [https://electro-music.com/forum/post-281728.html](https://electro-music.com/forum/post-281728.html) and then here: [https://web.archive.org/web/20161126222357/http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/benjolin/modular-benjolin/](https://web.archive.org/web/20161126222357/http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/benjolin/modular-benjolin/)