I’m working on a new custom PCB which is going to slot into a specific cast aluminum project enclosure (glorified guitar pedal style). This thing will have 1/4" and 1/8" audio jacks coming out of it, and I’m not sure how to actually take the populated PCB and stick it into the project enclosure, since the audio jacks will be sticking out past the edge of the PCB. They need to stick out so they can poke through the enclosure and have a nut threaded on. Only problem is, those jacks will collide with the enclosure when I’m trying to actually fit the thing in.
I have seen certain guitar pedal manufactures (such as Chase Bliss) solve this issue by having jacks that sit flush with the edge of the PCB so it can lower in smoothly, and the outside part sticks into the assembly from outside and threads in. Does anyone know where I can find those, and if there is a 1/8th inch version?
Thanks a milli for any guidance y’all can provide. LMNC discourse always has my back when I have nowhere else to turn XD
EDIT: Like this type of thing, but I need the whole jack:
I’m running a fairly experimental guitar rig that goes through regular changes. I have often found that a good circuit board can be butchered when I try to add 1/4" and DIN sockets, they can also add a strain on a board.
My favourite way around this is to use a single multicore cable to a separate box for all the midi, audio and occasionally power sockets.
Currently I’m re-wiring a section using RJ45 sockets and cat6 wire to an external socket patchbay.
Interesting stuff, would love to see it. You may be right about the strain - my hope was that the monolithic design would make things more sturdy, not less. We shall see. I think maybe the secret is to make the holes a little over-sized and snug the nuts down without overtightening. Might even hold off on soldering them down until they are bolted in place. In any case, all but the midi input on this box will remain permanently patched, so hopefully it will have a long life.
Female ended midi plugs can be added to a short length of cable and then pass through a smaller hole (use a grommet or hot glue) and a molex connector to your circuit board. That way there is no strain and your enclosure now has cool midi dreadlocks!
