Starting JTM45 kit from 2007

[JeffG.]

I never had the time to crack this thing open and do anything with it, but I have a couple of weeks while healing up from cataract surgery to get er done. I think I'll do a blog somewhwere.

[OnTheFritz]

You're going to tackle this *while* healing from cataract surgery?!
Don't overdo it, it can be a real eye strain even with a healthy pair.

[JeffG.]

Its been a week since the operation and everything seems good, I have magnifying gizmos galore. I am mostly concerned with infection and am hugely careful about anything near the eyes. But yeah, its certainly nothing to be too casual about.

I am through Step 1 and 2 and have the can cap from Step 3 installed.

[JeffG.]

Started a blog for this project at http://metrojtm45build.blogspot.com/

[JeffG.]

Just noticed the chassis bolt positioning is different on my mine versus the 2.1 version of the instructions. I have the old cd that came with the kit too, but it won't load on my Win 7 workstation. Older discs have been a royal PITA to open on this machine.

Is there anything I need to watch out for when using the newer instructions?

[Roe]

twist the OT primaries and secondaries and keep them away from each other

[shakti]

Old JTM45s had the output tube sockets mounted with the flanges underneath the chassis. Looks neater too.

Apart from that it looks good, and good healing to you!

[JeffG.]

Ah, thanks. I mounted the sockets per your suggestion and finished Step 3. I am getting ready to do Step 4 and noticed my transformer leads don't match the instructions. Mine shipped with Heyboer's. After I looked up an old post here on them I found something but I not sure exactly how to proceed. I believe I should twist the 2 reds on the lower right to wire the high voltage tap. Then the red/yellow strip to the fuse holder per the instructions.

"Color Code:

Primary: orange common/ red 120/ blue 220/ violet 240

Secondary: red/ red-yellow CT/ red- high voltage, green/ green-yellow CT/ green- 6.3 VAC heater voltage, yellow/ yellow- 5 VAC heater voltage."

http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=7236

[ledzep443]

Yea, the reds on either side of the red with yellow striped wire are your HT taps.

[JeffG.]

Done through Step 5. Was a pain in the ass getting the bias resistors in correctly without anything touching something it shouldn't.

[JeffG.]

Have a larger pic of the chassis through Step 6, linked via a thumbnail. Just wanted to see how the forum works with linking bigger image sizes.

[Stretchy]

Went to look at your blog. Nice idea, wrote a few comments there. I should have done this too for my 100W kit... a bit too late now I'm placing components on the board now... maybe on the next build!

Good luck with yours!

[JeffG.]

Finished Step 7 after filing out the faceplate holes. Should be done with Step 8 shortly, and that puts me at the halfway mark. Im excited, but I also know the harder stuff is coming up.

[JeffG.]

Redid bus wire and finished 8. I am starting the process of soldering the backs of the pots next. I'm trying to be careful and I'll Dremel the backs first with a abrasive tool of some kind.