The Percolator - 2W Guitar & Harmonica Tube Amp

The Percolator is a single-tube, 2-watt guitar and harmonica amplifier kit from Zeppelin Design Labs. It's small size makes it ideal in a practice space, on a small stage, or for use as a recording amp in a home or project studio. The single volume knob allows for warm, clear tones at lower levels and aggressive overdriven tones at higher levels -- all at a moderate volume!

This amp was designed around a single tube developed by GE in the early 1960’s under the brand name “Compactron.” Compactron tubes have multiple amplifier sections in one bottle. The tube in the Percolator has two triodes and one sharp cut-off pentode. That’s the same topology as the Fender Champ, but in one bottle! This tube was never intended to be used in an audio circuit (it was originally designed for use in various parts of a TV circuit), but it works and sounds great in a guitar amplifier. Since this tube is rarely, if ever, seen in guitar amps, it offers a rather unique tone.

Compactrons were developed in a time of fast technological growth. In the early 1960’s transistors were becoming more stable and practical for use in more demanding circuits. They also were much smaller and didn't require as much power (via heating filaments). The tube market was being challenged and threatened by this new solid state competitor. The GE corporation (which was one of, if not the most prolific tube developers in the world at the time) was well invested in their miniature tube line and wasn't too interested in making the transition to transistor development. So to compete with transistors and give tubes a few more years in the market, the engineers at GE developed the Compactron that could take the place of several tubes with just one bottle. It was the tube equivalent to the integrated circuit. They were mostly designed for use in the color TV market, but some of them did find their way into radios and hifi amps. Ampeg even used a Compactron in some of their preamp circuits. GE made a big push to promote and use these tubes in their products, but eventually transistors did win the technology battle and tubes were altogether replaced in televisions, leaving large stockpiles of unused Compactrons in warehouses. The last Compactrons were made in the early 1990’s and are still readily available today as “new old stock” (NOS) items. The Percolator, with its single Compactron tube, gives us a chance to re-purpose a piece of tube history, while offering unique tonality in this modern market.

The information provided in this Instructable is also available in .pdf form from the Zeppelin Design Labs website.

Step 1: Warnings, Cautions, & Dangers!

Before you get started let's talk about safety. This is not a beginner’s electronics project! If you have not worked with line/high voltage electricity before do not attempt this project without qualified help. THIS THING CAN KILL YOU if you don’t know what you are doing. We expect that you know how to safely and properly solder electronics (check out this Instructable on soldering). If you have never soldered a circuit board before, you MUST practice on something simpler and safer! If you lack experience, build this kit with a qualified friend. Use common sense when soldering. Use safety glasses and don’t burn yourself or anything else. We also expect you to know how to use a digital multimeter (DMM). If you are not comfortable with using a DMM, either have an experienced friend help you, or learn how by reading this Instructable on using a multimeter.

The Percolator was designed for 115-120VAC line voltage at 60hz. If you live in a place that doesn't have this type of line voltage then you must use an appropriate conversion transformer with this amp. Amplifiers handle HIGH VOLTAGES, higher than what comes out of the wall outlet. If you do not know what you are doing or you screw up this project, you could expose yourself or others to DEADLY HIGH VOLTAGE! Amplifiers have devices in them called capacitors. Capacitors (or caps) store high-voltage electricity for a long time, hours after the unit is turned off. If you do not know what you are doing, and you handle the capacitors recklessly, YOU COULD KILL YOURSELF OR THE GUY NEXT TO YOU!

The author of this Instructable takes no responsibility for any harm that may come to anyone or anything through this product.

This Instructable is full of CAUTIONS, WARNINGS, and DANGERS. These are actually three distinct things:

CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury, like cutting or burning your finger.
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury, like shocking yourself at a wall receptacle.
DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This word is limited to use in the most extreme situations.

Once your amp is complete and safely installed in its cabinet, it is no more dangerous than a toaster. There is a warning label on the chassis reminding you and others of the hazards typical to any electric appliance; but while under construction, with the chassis open and the components exposed, this Instructable contains the warnings you need to stay safe!

Step 2: What You Will Need

To build the Percolator, you will need the following:

1. Tools

Digital Multimeter, able to measure DC voltage, AC voltage, and Resistance
Screw Drivers:
- #1 Phillips
- #2 Phillips
- #2 Phillips, with a short shaft
- Small Straight
Ruler, 6” or 12”, with markings at least to the 1/8”
A small awl, or metal poking probe
Soldering Iron (not a soldering gun, or a “cold heat” iron), good quality, 15-50 watt, with a good medium or small sized tip, conical or “screwdriver” shape. One with a temperature control and a stand is best.
Damp sponge or dry solder-cleaning pad
Wire stripper, to strip 18-gauge stranded and 20-gauge solid core wire
Flush cutters or small diagonal cutters
Needle-nose pliers
X-Acto knife, or razor blade
Solder sucker or solder braid – optional, but very handy if you have to remove / repair any components!
Drill: cordless, corded, or drill press
Drill bits: 1/16, 9/64, 3/16
Orbital Sander (optional) or sanding block
Small router and 3/16” radius roundover bit, or other small detail bit (optional)
Countersink (see also step 8)
Awl, or nail and small hammer
Staple gun. We prefer electric or pneumatic, but manual will work fine.
Sharp pencil
Bar clamp, minimum 10” opening
Scissors
Speed square or carpenter square
Heat gun, or very hot hair dryer
Channel locks or large pliers
Lighter or other source for a small flame

2. Supplies

Solder, 60/40 rosin core, the smaller diameter the better (we prefer .031” or .80mm diameter). Make sure it’s good quality; we prefer Kester brand, but the Radio Shack brand will work fine.
Isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, or rubbing alcohol
Good quality wood glue such as TiteBond II or III
Masking tape
Good quality wood filler such as DAP Plastic Wood (optional)
Sandpaper, either discs for your orbital, or sheets for your block: 60, 120, 220, 320
Very small can of MinWax Dark Walnut Wood Finish #2716 (oil base stain)
Small can of MinWax Wipe-On Poly clear satin
A tiny bit of flat black paint, spray or can, or if you’re in a pinch, permanent black marker (like a Sharpie)
Mineral spirits, for cleanup
Clean rags

3. Percolator Kit (available here, from the Zeppelin Design Labs website)

Step 3: What's in the Box

Tables 1, 2, and 3 contain a complete parts list of everything that should be present in your kit. Photos are also included of each part, labeled with it's part number. Carefully go through the kit, identifying every part. Note that some of the components are difficult to tell apart. Compare them carefully with the photos. Besides verifying that nothing is missing, this will acquaint you with the parts and their names. If anything is missing, contact us right away at support[at]zeppelindesignlabs.com. Include your serial number (given via a sticker on the chassis) in your email.

TIP: Empty the parts of the kit onto a cookie sheet or into a big fruit bowl, NOT onto the cluttered workbench, or onto the living room carpet! This will protect you from losing tiny parts.

Step 4: Populating the Circuit Board

Your workspace should be well-lit, well-ventilated, and disposable; that is, don’t work on the nice dining room table! Work on a utility surface that you can burn, drill and scratch. A piece of ¼” tempered Masonite, or a chunk of MDF, makes an excellent cover if you don’t have a utility work bench.

CAUTION: Solder fumes are not healthy for you. The fumes consist of vaporized flux, which can irritate your nose, lungs, and even your skin. You MUST work in a space where the air drifts away from you as you work, so fumes do not rise straight onto your face.

CAUTION: Solder residue usually contains lead, which is poisonous if you ingest it. Do not breathe the fumes, do not eat the supplies, wash your hands after you handle solder, and sweep and wipe up your work space after EVERY USE.

The printed circuit board (PCB) holds most of the components in this amp. Nearly all of the components will be installed on the “component side” of the board, which is the side that has the Zeppelin Design Labs logo on it. The other side of the board is called the “solder side”, which, as the name implies, is the side on which the legs of the components are soldered to the board. Proper technique for installing and soldering components to a circuit board is demonstrated in our assembly reference video, but there are several other great resources on YouTube or here on Instructables (check this one out). The general procedure consists of the following:

Install the part on the “component side” of the board, by threading the wire leads through the appropriate holes in the board. For your convenience, the board has silk screen outlines indicating where the components should be placed, along with text indicating the part number and often times the component value.
Hold the component in place with your finger and turn the board over.
Gently bend the leads out at about 45 degrees to keep the component from falling out of its holes.
Install all of one type of component, bending each of the leads as they are installed.
Flip the board over solder-side-up, and solder all of the components in one pass.
Clip the leads off (with small diagonal cutters) right at the solder joint.

Let’s begin!

Standoffs (Part # SP11): Use 6 standoffs, 6 M3 screws (Part # SC38), and 6 lock washers (Part # WA07). The plastic standoffs are installed on the solder side of the board, which means they are screwed in from the component side. The lock washer goes between the PCB and the standoff (not between the screw head and the PCB)(1). Place the 6 standoffs in the locations indicated below(2).
Resistors: The value of resistors are given by a series of colored stripes on their body. There are several tutorials on line describing how to decode these stripes, but we will identify each resistor for you by simply naming the stripe colors, and giving you the value and the part number. Figure 2: Component Values and Locations is a handy reference. If you are color blind or can’t see the stripes clearly, then you must use your digital multimeter to measure the resistance of each resistor.
The hole spacing of most of the resistors on the circuit board allows the leads to be (gently) bent 90 degrees at the body of the resistor(3). This allows most resistors to slip into their holes very easily. Resistors R13 & R17 are exceptions to the normal hole spacing, so for those two components you’ll have to estimate where to bend the leads.(3)
1. Start with the 22K resistors (R1, R6, R11), labeled RED, RED, ORANGE, GOLD. Compare to its picture in the BOM. Find their locations on the circuit board and install and bend the leads as described above(4,5). Don’t solder any of them until all 17 resistors are installed; just bend the leads to keep them in their place.
2. Continue with the 220K resistors (R5, R9, R10), labeled RED, RED, YELLOW, GOLD.
3. Continue with the 1.5K (or 1K5) resistors (R7, R14, R17), labeled BROWN, GREEN, RED, GOLD. R17 has a larger lead spacing than most of the other resistors so estimate where to bend the leads.
4. Continue with the 47K resistors (R3, R8), labeled YELLOW, VIOLET, ORANGE, GOLD.
5. Continue with the 120 ohm (or 120R) resistors (R12, R15), which are blue in color and are labeled BROWN, RED, BLACK, BLACK, BROWN.
6. Continue with the 2.2K (or 2K2) resistor (R13), which is also blue in color and is labeled RED, RED, BLACK, BROWN, BROWN. The lead spacing on R13 is also abnormal, so bend the leads the proper length to fit into their holes.(6)
7. Continue with the 1M resistor (R2), labeled BROWN, BLACK, GREEN, GOLD.
8. Continue with the 820 ohm (or 820R) resistor (R4), labeled GRAY, RED, BROWN, GOLD. Last, install the 4.7K (or 4K7) resistor (R16), labeled YELLOW, VIOLET, RED, GOLD.
9. You should have a whole forest of bent leads coming out the solder side of the board.(7) Now you can turn the board solder-side-up and solder each one to the board.(8)
10. Now clip each lead with your flush cutters at the solder joint.(9)
11. Before installing any more components on the circuit board, double check the resistance values of each of the installed resistors. Set your digital multimeter to the “ohms” or “resistance” setting, and measure across all of the resistors. Compare the measured value to the listed value in Figure 2.(10) Make sure they are all correct (within 5%) before moving on.
Capacitors: The Percolator uses 3 different types of capacitors: Film capacitors, tiny ceramic disc capacitors, and electrolytic capacitors. Film and ceramic caps can be installed in either direction on the circuit board (the legs can be reversed in their holes). But electrolytic caps are polarized, meaning they will only work when they are installed in the correct orientation.
1. Let’s start with the two tiny ceramic caps (C4 ,C7).(11) Install, solder and clip the leads.
2. Continue with the three film caps (C1 ,C3 ,C6)(12). Install (13), solder and clip the leads.
3. Now for the tricky electrolytic caps. Note all the electrolytic capacitors have one leg that is longer than the other.(14, 15) The longer leg is the positive side of the cap. The positive leg (the longer leg) goes in the square pad. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS WHEN YOU ARE INSTALLING THESE CAPS! It is very easy to install one or more electrolytic caps backwards! If you do, the amp won’t work correctly! Double check Figure 2 for reference. Figure 2 also has “+” signs where the positive (longer) lead goes. The negative side of the caps have white stripes pointing to the negative lead.
4. Install all of the smaller electrolytic caps (C2 ,C5 ,C8 ,C12). Solder and clip the leads.(16)
5. Now install the three big electrolytic caps (C9 ,C10 ,C11).17 Solder and clip the leads(18), but put one of these clipped leads aside for use later.
  
  WARNING: The big electrolytic caps (C9 ,C10 ,C11) are likely to explode if they are installed backwards, which could result in personal injury. Install in STRICT CONFORMANCE with these instructions! Before moving on, double check the orientation of each of the electrolytic caps. Make sure the stripe on each electrolytic cap is in the same direction as each cap in the picture.(19)
Jumper wire: Use one of the leads that you just clipped off of the big electrolytic capacitors (C9, C10, or C11) as this jumper. Use your needle nose pliers to bend the lead in the shape of a staple.(20) Install the jumper in the holes and solder the leads.(21)
Bridge rectifiers (Part # BR1, BR2): Bridge rectifiers have 4 leads and it is very important to make sure each lead goes in the correct hole. The only indication on the circuit board of how the rectifiers should be oriented is a square pad. The positive lead (the longest lead(22), labeled with a “+”) goes in the square hole(23). The other leads should line up properly with the other holes.
1. Install both BR1 and BR2 with this orientation. Solder and clip the leads.
2. Before moving on, double check the orientation of the bridge rectifiers. Make sure the “+” and “-” printed on the component are in the same orientation as the “+” and “-” on the circuit board.(24)
Input jack (Part # J1): Remove the plastic nut from the input jack and put it aside until the next section. Snap the input jack into its holes on the circuit board.(25) Make sure you solder the leads well.(26) The leads are too short to cut on this component so don’t bother.
Potentiometer (Part # VR1): Remove the nut and washer from the shaft of the pot and put them aside until later. Install the potentiometer (“pot” for short) with the shaft facing away from the board. The leads are too short to bend out, so you just have to hold the pot while you solder at least one lead.(27) It is very important to make sure all the leads are completely seated in their holes before soldering, otherwise the board won’t fit into the chassis properly. The leads are too short to cut on this component too.
Power switch (Part # S1): Carefully install the power switch on the PCB.(28) If all the leads don’t line up right away, very gently guide them into the holes with your needle-nose pliers.(29) When you solder the switch, it is very important to make sure all the leads are making good connections with the board because this component is switching high voltage. The front two pins just act as anchors for the switch and are connected to the large piece of metal on the front of the component. Extra heat may be needed to secure these pins properly because the large piece of metal tends to act as a heat sink. Once you have soldered all the leads, check the rigidity of the solder joints by flipping the switch several times. Make sure it feels secure.
LED (Part # D1): The LED (light emitting diode) is a polarized component, meaning that it matters which way it goes into the holes. Following the standard of all the polarized components on this board, the long lead goes into the square hole.(30, 31) If you do not install the LED in the correct orientation the “on light” will not work. Install the LED in the holes so that the top of the LED stands about 7/8” (23mm) off the surface of the board.(32) Solder the LED on the component side of the board (it will be easier to switch later if you get it backwards).(33) Clip the leads on the solder side of the board.
Feedback loop wire (Part # CB10.1): Strip about 1/4” (6mm) of insulation from each end of the 10.5cm single stranded hookup wire.(34) Solder one end of this wire to the FBL hole so the wire is emerging from the component side of the board.(35, 36) The other end of the wire will be used in the next section.
6cm Hookup wire (Part # CB10.4): Strip about 1/8” (3-4mm) of insulation from each end of the 6cm hookup wire. With your pliers bend both ends at a right angle.(37) This wire goes on the solder side of the board, so flip the board over and install the wire where it goes (note the picture)(38). Solder it on the component side of the board.(39) Now bend the wire along the surface of the board to make it follow the line printed on the board.
10.5cm Twisted pair hookup wire (Part # CB10.2): This wire is used to transmit the 6.3V heating filament
voltage to the tube. Untwist about 1/4” (6-7mm) of each end of the twisted pair and straighten the ends out with your pliers.(40) Strip off about 1/8” (3-4mm) insulation from each end of the two wires.(41) On the solder side of the board, install the four stripped ends in the holes marked “HEATERS”.(42) It doesn't matter which wire goes into which of the two holes. Solder each of the four ends on the component side of the board.(43, 44)
Tube socket (Part # SK10):Before installing the tube socket, we need to help prepare it to easily seat the tube. These sockets come a little tight from the factory, so it is helpful to loosen up the place where the tube pins fit in.(45) Very gently use your awl to slightly widen each of the 12 pin sockets.(46)
The tube socket is installed on the solder side of the board. The leads may need to be pressed in slightly for it to fit in the holes.(47) Make sure all the leads are seated firmly and that the socket is pushed in as close to the board as possible.(48) Double check to make sure that the top of the socket is parallel to the surface of the board.
Solder the leads of tube socket on the component side of the board.(49, 50)

The circuit board is now complete!

Double check all your solder joints and make sure everything is well soldered and making good connections. If anything looks at all sketchy, touch-up each solder joint. It’s much easier to fix a problem with the board now than once it is installed in the chassis. Once you are satisfied with the PCB, put it aside in a safe spot until the next step when it is installed it in the chassis.

Step 5: Loading the Chassis

Note the chassis face with the big square hole is the BACK of the amp! Generally, hold the chassis with the back AWAY from you unless told otherwise! This will help avoid building the thing backwards.

Grommets: Pop the 4 rubber grommets (Part # GR02) into the holes on top of the chassis as shown.(51)
Power Transformer (Part # T1):
1. Cut the black wires coming from the power transformer to 4-5/16” (11cm).(52) Put the black wires that you just cut aside because you will use them later. Cut the brown and red wires to 2-3/4” (7cm).(53) Strip off about 3/16” (4-5mm) of insulation from each of the 6 wires.(54) Twist together the tiny strands of wire on each of the stripped ends. Then “tin” the stripped part of each wire.(55, 56) “Tinning” is the process of coating or filling a wire or connector contact with solder to make it easier to attach. It also helps to keep the tiny strands of wire from fraying out while you try to solder them. When you tin the transformer wires, make sure you do not use too much solder; otherwise the wire will be too thick to fit into the PCB holes later.
2. The power transformer goes on the RIGHT side of the chassis (with the back of the chassis AWAY from you). Pass the red and brown wires through the rear-right grommet, and the black wires through the front-right grommet.(57) Align the transformer mounting holes with the holes in the chassis. Use two M3x6 machine screws (Part # SC38) and two M3 keps lock nuts (Part # NU10) to mount the transformer.(58) Screw down tight.(59)
3. Now you need to twist the wires. Twist the black wires together somewhat tightly, but do not over twist the wires near where they emerge from the transformer. You do not want to stress the wires near the transformer coil, because they can easily break on the inside of the transformer, and that would be very bad. Also twist the red wires together and the brown wires together in the same way (not too tight near the coil).(60)
Output Transformer (Part # T2):
1. Cut all of the wires coming from the output transformer to 4” (10cm).(61, 62) Strip off about 3/16” (4-5mm) of insulation from each of the four wires. Twist together the tiny strands of wire on each of the stripped ends and tin the stripped part of each wire.(63) Don’t make the tinned wire too fat.
2. The output transformer goes on the LEFT side of the chassis. Pass the green and black wires through the left-rear grommet, and the blue and red wires through the front-left grommet.(64) Screw the transformer down to the chassis, just like the power transformer, with two M3x6 machine screws (Part # SC38) and two M3 keps lock nuts (Part # NU10).(65)
3. Twist the green and black wires together, and twist the red and blue wires together, in the same way as the power transformer wires.(66) Once again, be mindful not to over twist the wires close to the coil.
Fins (Part # CH05) (2 pcs): These flank the tube socket and shield the tube from the magnetic fields from the transformers. Place them as shown, careful that they face the right way. If you put them in backwards, the tube won’t fit later. If the fins look like the letter L, then the base of the L points towards the tube opening. Use four #10x3/8” sheet metal screws (Part # SC68) to attach the fins.(67) DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THESE SCREWS! Just drive them in snug. If you over-tighten, they will strip out the chassis. TIP: If the label is slightly misaligned over one of the edges or holes use a razor blade or xacto knife to trim off the excess.
Label (Part # PL11): Clean the front of the chassis with a clean rag moistened with isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, or rubbing alcohol.(68) Clean it thoroughly, and allow any liquid to dry completely. Be careful NOT TO TOUCH the face AT ALL after cleaning. The oil on your fingertips will leave prints that will interfere with the bond of the label. Test fit the label, then peel off the back and carefully set it in place.(69) GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME! YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RE-POSITION THIS LABEL! Line up the bottom edge of the label with the bottom edge of the chassis; then align some of the chassis holes, drop it in place, and rub it down firmly over the entire surface.
LED bezel (Part # SK05): Install the plastic LED bezel into its hole on the front of the chassis (through the label).70 It goes in the hole to the right of the ZDL logo. It should easily snap into place. (70)
Install the PCB (Part # PC23):
1. Flip the chassis over so the fins and transformers are resting on the table top, and the front of the chassis is facing you. Bend all the transformer wires to the outside of the chassis so that they don’t get in the way of the placement of the PCB.(71)
2. Carefully place the circuit board in the chassis with the standoffs down (the standoffs resting on the top of the chassis) and the component side of the board up. The input jack side of the board should be closest to you. Slide the PCB forward as the input jack, pot, and switch fit through the holes on the front of the chassis and the tube socket is seated in its chassis hole.(72) You may have to hold the board at an angle while sliding it forward to get everything to fit properly. Make sure all the transformer wires are between the front and back standoffs. The standoffs should line up with the screw holes on top of the chassis.
3. Affix the PCB to the chassis with six machine screws (Part # SC38) placed through the chassis holes into the standoffs.(73) Don’t over tighten or cross-thread these screws.
4. Place the washer and nut back on the pot, and snug down with your pliers.(74) Place the plastic nut back on the input jack,(75) and snug it down with your pliers. Do not over-tighten this nut or the label could start warping.
5. Use your needle nose pliers to bend the LED over to fit inside of the LED bezel on the front of the chassis.(76) Be sure not to twist the LED or the leads might touch and short out against each other. Push the LED through the bezel until it snaps into place.
Knob (Part # KN05): Turn the pot all the way counter clockwise. Place the knob on the pot and align the white line on the knob to the position where you want the volume to be off (usually between 1:00 & 2:00, when the amp is upside down). Use a small flat screwdriver to tighten the set screw until the knob is tight.(77) Now turn the knob all the way right and left through its travel. The line should be between 10:00 & 11:00 at the maximum clockwise position. The goal in setting the knob is to make the 6:00 position of the knob (when the amp is upside down) be the half way point of the pot turn, in other words, the turning distance either side of middle should be equal. If it’s not right, loosen the screw, adjust the knob, and re-tighten. It may take a few times of re-adjustment to get the knob/pot position where you want it.
Wiring the PCB: Once the PCB is affixed to the chassis you can attach the transformer wires. All of the wires will pass around the side of the PCB, and you will solder them on the component side of the board.
1. Output transformer: Place the red wire into the square hole of P1, and then the blue wire to the round hole of P1. Solder both connections.(78)
2. Power transformer: Place the black wires into the holes of P4; it doesn’t matter which wire goes in which hole.(79) Place the red wires into the holes of P2 (80), and then place the brown wires into the holes of P3.(81) In each pair, it does not matter which wire goes in which hole, but MAKE SURE YOU MATCH THE COLOR TO THE CORRECT NUMBER! Solder all the wires in their respective holes.
Grounding Wire (Part # CB10.3): Strip about 1/4” (6mm) of insulation off both ends of one of the 4cm hookup wires. Using your needle nose pliers, bend a small hook in one stripped end of the wire.(82) Thread the hook through the small hole on the grounding lug (Part # CB20) and crimp it tight with your pliers.(83) Solder that connection.(84) Put this assembly aside until the next sub-step.
IEC Power Receptacle (Part # J3):
1. Strip about 1/4” (6mm) of insulation off the ends of the other 4cm hookup wire (Part # CB10.3).(85) Attach the wire to the power receptacle lug as shown, with the wire pointing to the left away from the power receptacle (study the picture carefully). Use the same hook and crimp technique that you used in the previous sub-step, but don’t solder it yet. MAKE SURE YOU ATTACH THE WIRE TO THE CORRECT POWER RECEPTACLE LUG.
2. Now attach the other 4cm wire (the end opposite the ground lug) to the same power receptacle lug . Attach it so the ground lug is pointing to the right, away from the power receptacle (study the picture carefully).(86)
3. Now solder the wires to the lug. Be careful not to use too much heat or the lug could start melting out of the plastic.(87)
4. Bend both wires slightly forward and push the power receptacle through the chassis. BE SURE TO INSTALL IT WITH THE CORRECT SIDE UP (look at the picture).(88) It may be a tight fit; it could take some wrenching to get it to seat. Once it is seated properly, you can very gently bend the four retaining tabs of the power receptacle up if you want to ensure a tighter fit.(89)
5. Place the wire coming from the right side of the power receptacle (the wire without the ground lug on it) in one of the 3 square ground pads on the PCB next to the power receptacle. Solder this wire in place on the component side of the board.(90)
6. Use your flat screwdriver to pry the fuse holder from the power receptacle.91 Pace the fuse (Part # F1) in the holder(92) and slide it back into the power receptacle.(93)
Grounding Wire Revisited: Use a M3x6 machine screw (Part # SC38) and one M3 Lock Nut, (Part # NU10) to attach the grounding lug to the back of the chassis as shown.(94) Screw it down tight!
Wiring the IEC power receptacle:

WARNING: If you make a mistake here, you could expose yourself or others to electric shock. Double check all your connections.
1. Retrieve the lengths of wire that you cut off the power transformer earlier. Cut each of the two black wires to 4-1/4” (10.5cm) long.(95) Strip about 3/16” (4-5mm) of insulation from each end of both wires.(96) Tin each end (don’t use too much solder).
2. Now twist the two wires together, to within about 3/8” of each end.(97) Solder one end of the pair to the holes labled P5, IEC jack.(98)
3. Solder the end of the wires to the IEC power receptacle, to the two lugs shown in the picture.(99) It doesn’t matter which wire goes to which lug, JUST MAKE SURE YOU SOLDER THEM TO THE CORRECT TWO LUGS! Mind the picture.(100)
Output jack (Part # J2):
1. Remove the nut and washer from the output jack and install it on the back of the chassis.(101) Orient the jack so the lugs are facing up, as in the picture. The washer goes on the outside of the jack, between the nut and the chassis.
2. With your needle nose pliers make a small hook in the stripped section of the feedback loop wire (the long wire attached to the middle of the circuit board, in the FBL hole). Hook the FBL wire on the “tip” lug of the output jack (note the picture below(102), if you are not sure which is the correct lug).
3. Next attach the green wire from the output transformer to the same lug (the “tip” lug) as the FBL wire.(102) Solder both wires to the lug.
4. Next, attach the black wire from the output transformer to the ground lug (note the picture if you are not sure which lug is the ground).(103) Solder the black wire to the lug.
Tube (Part # V1):

TIP: You can tell if the vacuum is bad in your tube because the “getter flash” (the shiny metallic section on the inside of the glass) will turn white or clear.(105)
1. Take the tube out of its box and closely look at the pins. Sometimes a few of the pins get bent in the handling or shipping process from the factory. If any of the pins are bent, very gently use your needle nose pliers to straighten them out.(104) Do this step very carefully and do not put too much torque on the pin at the point where it comes out of the glass. If you do, the glass could easily crack and allow the vacuum in the tube to be compromised, which would mean we’d have to sell you a new tube.
2. Now flip the amp right-side-up again and install the tube in its socket. It can only go in one way. Line up the pins and then gently rock the tube,(106) pressing gently but firmly down on the top, until it is completely seated in the socket.(107) If it has a hard time fitting into the socket make sure all the tube pins line up with the socket pins properly. If you still have trouble, you might need to use your awl again to loosen the tube socket pins.

Step 6: Testing the Amp

The testing process is done with the Percolator upside down. The transformers and fins should be resting on the bench top. Make sure none of the weight of the amp is resting on the glass bottle of the tube. If it is, put some blocks of wood (like the cabinet pieces that came with the kit) under the transformers to jack the amp up a little bit.

A schematic of the amplifier is printed on the template sheet that came with the kit. This schematic is for reference in troubleshooting, should you have problems with the amp. DC test voltages are labeled in red on “Figure 3: Voltage Reference”. The test procedure will consist of systematically measuring these voltages to ensure that your amp is within spec. Print this diagram and write your measurements directly on it. You don’t have to know how to read a schematic to test these voltages, but you do need to know how to use your digital multimeter.

WITH THE AMP UNPLUGGED, double check all your wiring. Look closely at the pictures and make sure the wires on your amp are correctly positioned.(108,109)
WITH THE AMP UNPLUGGED from the wall, double check your solder joints. Closely examine every visible joint on the PCB and make sure they are good, solid connections.
Using a 1/4” speaker cable, plug the Percolator’s output jack into an 8 ohm speaker cabinet. ONLY USE AN 8 OHM CABINET WITH THIS AMPLIFIER. WHENEVER YOU APPLY POWER TO THIS AMP, MAKE SURE IT IS FIRST PLUGGED IN TO AN 8 OHM LOAD.
Make sure the Percolator’s power switch is in the off position (when the amp is upside down, the switch should be up).(110) Plug the IEC power cable into the IEC power receptacle on the amp. Make sure NOTHING is touching any part of the amplifier that shouldn't be, and then plug the power cable into the wall outlet.WARNING! As soon as you plug in the Percolator, there is LINE VOLTAGE across some parts of the exposed circuit board. Touching the board could shock, injure, or kill you! NEVER TOUCH ANY PART OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHEN THE AMP IS PLUGGED INTO THE WALL!
Before you turn the power switch on, set your multimeter to test AC voltage. Measure the AC voltage across the IEC power receptacle as shown.(111) Depending on several (mostly uncontrollable) factors, you should measure between 115VAC and 120VAC. The amplifier was designed to use 118VAC from the wall outlet, so the voltages listed in the test procedure are based on that. If your AC voltage reading is different than 118VAC, then the voltage readings in the next few steps will be off proportionally. Theoretically, if the input voltage from the wall outlet is off by a certain percentage then all of the rest of the voltages in the amp will be off by the same percentage. The tolerances of the tube and the rest of the components can easily vary by 5%, so that could cause a bit of voltage fluctuation as well.
Set your digital multimeter to read DC voltage. In this amp, all DC voltages are measured with respect to ground, so the black probe of your multimeter should be held at ground potential. This amp has several places at ground potential that are good to put your black probe. Any of the vias (the tiny holes throughout the PCB) should work.(112) Any one of the 3 square pads on the PCB under the IEC power receptacle will work.(113) You could also use any place on the chassis, assuming the ground lug is making good contact with the chassis.(114) Keep the black probe on any of those places while making DC voltage measurements.

TIP: Use a test lead (a wire with small alligator clips on both ends) to clip the negative (black) lead of your multimeter to the grounded chassis. That will free up one hand.
Turn on the power switch.

WARNING! As soon as you turn on the Percolator, there is HIGH VOLTAGE across several parts of the exposed circuit board. Touching the board could shock, injure or kill you! NEVER TOUCH ANY PART OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHEN THE AMP IS PLUGGED INTO THE WALL!

The red LED should immediately turn on (115) (if it does, skip to the next sub-step). If it doesn't turn on, then measure the junction of C12 and R17 (TP2 in “Figure 3: Voltage Reference”). It should read around 6.5VDC. If it does, it means you either installed the LED backwards, or you installed the wrong resistor in R17. Switch off the amp, unplug the power cable and fix the problem. If TP2 does not read around 6.5VDC (by a large percentage) double check C12 and/or BR2 to make sure they are in the proper orientation.

WARNING: Capacitors contain high-voltage electricity hours after the amp is unplugged! Handling the capacitor could shock or burn you! If you must remove or re-solder a capacitor, either let it sit unplugged overnight, or safely discharge it as described in the tip below.

Tip: To safely discharge a capacitor: Get a 1k-10k ohm, 2w resistor and solder or clip test leads to the resistor legs. Clip one of the leads to the chassis, and clip the other lead to the positive side of the high-voltage cap. The cap will discharge in a few seconds.
Figure 3 has 11 DC test voltages (in red) with arrows pointing to the place on the circuit board where these voltages should be found. The points are numbered TP1 through TP11 (“TP” stands for “test point”). Remember, you are measuring from ground (with the black probe) to the red point (with the red probe).(116) Start on the left side of the board and work your way from point to point, making note of each voltage as you measure it. All the voltages should be relatively close to the printed value, but if the line voltage (from the wall outlet) is above or below 118 VAC, then these voltages will be off by the same percentage. If any of these voltages are significantly off beyond this line voltage percentage, then it is very likely that one or more of the components are installed in the wrong place. Triple check the resistors, capacitors, and bridge rectifiers by visually inspecting each one. If they are all correct, then triple check each solder joint. If you make any changes, use your multimeter to re-test the voltages that were incorrect. If you have to get to the solder side of the board, you’ll have to unsolder all the transformer wires from the board, and remove the IEC receptacle, as well as unscrew the front panel components and stand off screws from the chassis.

TIP: If it turns out that you need to re-solder any of the resistors, don’t bother removing the board from the chassis to get to the solder side, just solder them on the component side of the board.
Once the voltages are all within spec, carefully plug your guitar (or harp mic) into the input jack, taking care not to touch the exposed circuit board. Make some noise.(117) Turn up the volume. It should sound great!

Step 7: Assembling the Chassis

Turn the power switch off. Unplug any cables that are plugged in to the amp (power, speaker, instrument). Carefully seat the chassis base plate (Part # CH03.2) onto the inverted chassis.(118) It is a snug fit.
Use four sheet metal screws, pan head Philips #8x1/2 (Part # SC63), two in front (119), two in back (120), to secure the chassis to the base plate. Use a #2 Philips screw driver (not a screw gun) and turn just until seated. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN or you could warp the label, or even worse, strip out the screw hole

That’s it!

The electronics part of your amp is done. Good job. If you plan on installing the amp into the cabinet (a simple task), keep reading. If you are not planning on using the cabinet provided in the kit, you are free to go rock out. See “USING YOUR NEW HEAD” - step 15.

Step 8: Building the Cabinet - Intro

While the amp is an intermediate to advanced electronics project, the cabinet is a beginner’s woodworking project. On the other hand, while the amp can be built in an hour, it takes several hours over several days to complete the cabinet! Take your time, be careful, and you should produce a lovely solid wood cabinet to be proud of.

We are going to show you how we make the pre-finished Percolator here in our lab. There are as many carpentry and finishing techniques as there are carpenters and finishers. If you prefer to do something differently, go for it. If you have an experienced friend to work on this with you, take his or her advice over ours.

A Word On Countersinks

The overall success of this project depends somewhat on your ability to accurately countersink the wood screws, so that the heads lie just below the surface of the wood, but no deeper. There are several ways to do this:

buy a #6 pilot bit (9/64) with matching fluted countersink and stop collar, or an all-in-one #6 pilot / counterbore / countersink tool (A)
buy a countersink bit (B)
Use a ¼” drill bit in a drill press

The first (A) is our favorite: very accurate and easy to use. The second, a countersink bit (B), is next best. If you don’t do a lot of wood working, you may not want to invest in these tools. This leaves using a ¼ drill bit in a press. To do this, first drill through with the 9/64 bit, then countersink with the ¼ bit, carefully and gradually adjusting the depth of plunge until the full diameter of the bit just barely cuts into the wood. The screw should then pull the head down into the wood and just below the surrounding surface. Practice setting the depth on a scrap of pine until you like the results.

ALWAYS provide a 1/16” pilot in the holding piece of wood, and keep the clutch on your screw gun set low when driving, or the screws provided are likely to spin out or break.

Step 9: Assembling the Box

Fitting the Wood Parts (Part # CA05). Note that the longer wood parts are the top and bottom (Part # CA05.1) and the shorter pieces (Part # CA05.2) are the sides. Arrange the four pieces of wood as shown in the diagram. If you have a preference for the appearance of grain, color, knots, etc, flip the parts around this way and that until you like the way they look.(121) Sometime, the wood exhibits blemishes on one side from the milling process. Face these toward the inside. They will be completely invisible and will have no effect on the quality of the cabinet.
With the pencil, label the parts where it won’t show, so you can easily fit them together again later. Put the labels towards the front of each piece.(122)
With scissors or blade, cut out the templates provided with your kit.(123) If you ruin them, you can just print them out again with the "Percolator Cabinet Templates" pdf. Tape the templates to the top, the bottom and the right-hand side (as you face the front).(124, 125) If the templates do not match the wood size PERFECTLY (it happens), line up the FRONT EDGE of the template to the FRONT EDGE of the wood, and center it along the length of the wood. Don’t worry about the REAR edge.
With the awl, or nail and a small hammer, carefully poke a hole into the wood at the center of each cross hairs.(126) Remove the template from the right side,(127, 128) flip it over and tape it face-down to the LEFT side and mark that piece as well.(129) Take care when you do this that you create a PAIR of parts, not two IDENTICAL parts.(130)

NOTE: You don’t have to use the handle provided with your kit. You can use any handle you like, but in that case, check the hole spacing before you poke your marks in the cabinet top!
Stand up all four pieces of wood on their FRONT edges on your clean, smooth, flat work surface.(131) Dry-fit them together. Use the bar clamp to snug the pieces together as shown.(132) If your clamp has no plastic pads, DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN or you’ll mar the wood. It just needs to be snug. Pick one corner and line up the pieces of wood as carefully and accurately as you can.(133) Be sure the faces (the sides touching the table) are flush to each other at the joint.(134) If the parts are not precisely the same width (it happens), they will be a tiny bit uneven on the back face (that is, the sides facing up). That’s okay; don’t worry about it – it’s the back. You can fix it later when finishing the cabinet.
When you are satisfied with the alignment of one corner, tighten the clamp to secure the parts for drilling.
Take your time with this step. The overall neatness of your cabinet depends on getting this step right.
Fit your drill with the 1/16” bit, sticking out about 1-1/8”. These break easily; you may want to pick up a spare. At the corner you lined up, drill two holes at your marks, through the side and into the mated wood piece.(135)
Continue to the other three corners, loosening the clamp and lining up the corners one by one. Drill a total of 8 holes.(136)
Disassemble the four pieces and lay them flat on your worktable with the outsides facing up. Still with the 1/6” bit, drill four pilot holes about ½” deep in the bottom as indicated on the template, for the screws that will hold on the feet.(137) Note these are the four OUTER holes, nearest the corners.
With the 9/64 bit, or the combo drill / countersink bit, re-drill the eight small holes you made in the sides, plus 7 other holes as indicated on the templates: one more on each side, one on the top, and four on the bottom.

NOTE: These four holes on the bottom are the four INNER holes, further away from the corners. They are for mounting the chassis and need to be as accurate as possible. A drill press is great for this if you have one. Otherwise, be careful to hold the drill perpendicular to the wood surface. Drill and countersink a total of 15 holes.(138, 139)

TIP: You will get cleaner holes on the inside of the parts if you can drill straight through the cabinet parts into a piece of plywood.

When you countersink, practice on the four bottom holes, where the depth is less critical. Go easy, test-fit a screw, and deepen the countersink a little as necessary. The head should sit below the surface of the surrounding wood, but only just.(140)
With the 3/16 bit, drill the two holes in the cabinet top for the handle screws.(141)

NOTE: If you use a handle other than the one provided, check the screw size before drilling these two holes in the cabinet top!
Inspect the inside faces of the wood pieces for splinters or “blowout”: bits of wood standing above the surrounding surface. Clean these off with a bit of 120-grit sandpaper.(142)
Re-assemble and dry fit the parts,(143) with the front edges facing DOWN.(144) Apply some wood glue to one end of the TOP. Smooth the glue with a stick until it uniformly coats the end.(145) You don’t need much!
Fit two wood screws into the appropriate two holes of the mating SIDE piece.(146) Guide the tips into the little pilot holes in the top piece.(147) Line up the joint accurately as you did earlier,(148,132) and place the bar clamp tightly across the parts to hold them secure. Use a #2 Philips screwdriver or cordless screw gun to drive the screws barely snug.(149) Do not overtighten! If your drill has an adjustable clutch, set it very low, like 2 or 3. Leave the joint a little loose for now.
Now attach the BOTTOM to the same SIDE, driving the screws barely snug.(150)
Now apply glue to the remaining exposed ends of both the TOP and BOTTOM.(151) Fit four screws into the remaining SIDE and maneuver them into all four little pilot holes.(152) Align one joint (153) and tighten the bar clamp (not shown; very foolish of us to attempt this without the clamp). Carefully drive the two screws barely snug, then align the last joint, and set the last two screws, barely snug.(154) See also our online video for proper placement of the bar clamp.
Check the box for overall squareness: press the face flat to the table; measure diagonally across the cabinet to see if it measures the same in both directions.(155, 156) If necessary, install the bar clamp across the longer diagonal and gently tighten it to bring the box closer to square.(157) Now tighten all eight screws.(158) If any glue appears on the outside of the box, wipe it off with a rag dipped in warm water.
Let the cabinet sit for at least 4 hours for the glue to cure.(159)
If any joints are poorly mated, grind them flush with 60 or 80 grit sandpaper.(160, 161)
Edge Detail: If you want to apply a router detail, now’s the time. There’s only room for a small chamfer or roundover. (If you don’t want to use a router, you can achieve a similar look just with vigorous hand-sanding.) We use a 3/16” roundover bit with a bearing at the bottom.(162) As you route each edge, be careful to orient the router so that you do not run the bearing across the screw heads.(163) This will result in blemishes that could ruin your cabinet! Round over all the outside edges except the four back edges.

DANGER! Routers are dangerous, tricky machines that can do you a serious harm if misused. If you are unfamiliar with routers, get a friend to help you!
If there are chips, or gaps in your joints that you cannot live with, fill them with wood dough. LET THE WOOD DOUGH HARDEN THOROUGHLY BEFORE SANDING!! (164)

That’s it! Congratulations.

Take a break, and when you are ready (maybe tomorrow), we’ll sand and finish the box.

Percolator Cabinet Templates.pdf
Download

Step 10: Finishing the Box

There are lots of ways to apply a beautiful, durable finish to a solid wood box. Following is how we finish our cabinets here at the Lab. You may finish your Percolator any way you like.

Your cabinet is made of top-grade solid poplar. This is a dense, very finely grained softwood. It is harder, more stable and more durable than pine. It is the wood of choice for all fine millwork that is destined to be painted, but properly prepared it stains nicely too.

Do not sand the interior of the cabinet at all. Sand the whole exterior twice, using 120 and 220 grit sandpapers.
1. If you routed a detail, carefully sand out any burn marks, and be careful you do not obliterate your detail with the orbital sander.(165)
2. “Ease” the square edges; that is, strike off the sharp square edge the mill applied to the wood. Your finish ingredients cannot accumulate on a sharp edge. Don’t use the orbital for this, at least not for the inside edges; sand the square edges by hand only.(166)
  Be thorough! The better job you do here will strongly influence how nicely your stain turns out.(167)
Remove the dust: blast it with compressed air, draw it off with a vacuum, or wipe with a clean rag.
Apply a liberal coat of MinWax Dark Walnut Wood Finish #2716 with a rag.(168) This is an oil-based stain, one of the easiest to use. Coat the entire cabinet inside and out,(169, 170) then wipe it off again with a clean rag.(171, 172) Rub it out thoroughly and carefully, leaving no fingerprints or streaks.(173) Set the cabinet down on its back, propped up on a few pencils, or chopsticks, or triangular strips of wood. Let it dry for at least 4 hours!(174)
Use a clean rag to apply a coat of MinWax Wipe-On Poly Clear Satin.(175) This is a remarkable product that is thick enough to provide a decent finish, but thin enough to soak straight into the wood without running or dripping. Pour a little product into a disposable metal or plastic cup, like the bottom inch cut from a soda can. Dip your rag and apply a generous coat to the whole cabinet, inside and out.(176-178) Set it back down on its back to dry thoroughly, like, overnight.(179)
Very lightly hand sand the exterior of the cabinet with 320 grit sandpaper.(180) Ignore the interior; it’s done. The finish is thin, so be careful you do not remove the poly and damage the stained wood underneath. You are trying to strike off the fuzzy grain raised in the finishing process so far. This sanding should produce a fine white powder that feels soft as velvet to the touch.(181) Wipe it off with a clean cloth.(182)
Clean up your work space as best you can. Remove all the dust from the cabinet and the work table. Sweep or vacuum the floor. It is dust in the air that affects the final finish.
Apply a second coat of Wipe-On Poly to the exterior. Allow to dry thoroughly.(183, 184)
At this point, if the box is beautiful and satiny-smooth, you are done. If it is still a little fuzzy or uneven, sand lightly with 320 grit sandpaper and apply a third light coat. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Step 11: Assembling the Cabinet

1. On the cabinet bottom, install the four little feet (Part # FT03) with four little sheet metal screws #6x5/8” (Part # SC66) into the four little 1/16” holes near the corners.(185) Do not over-tighten.

2. Use a short screw driver to install the handle,(186) using the screws that came with it.(187, 188)

The cabinet is done!

Step 12: Assembling the Grill

Lay out the four wood pieces as shown.(189)
Apply a drop of glue to both ends of both long pieces. Spread it out to coat the entire end of the stick.(190)
Fit the pieces together and place a bar clamp across the width of the frame.(191) Gently snug the clamp down on the frame just until you see glue squeezing out of all four corners.(192) Wipe off the excess glue with a damp rag. Allow at least 4 hours for the glue to cure.
Remove the clamp.
Paint the inside surfaces, and one face, with flat black paint (or a permanent black marker).(193, 194) Allow to dry completely.
Now it is time to put on the grill cloth. Attaching grill cloth in a way that looks nice is not an easy task. There are 2 goals to keep in mind when working with grill cloth: 1) Keep the lines straight; nobody thinks crooked or wavy grill cloth looks good. 2) Make the grill cloth tight. Saggy grill cloth is almost as unattractive as wavy lines. There are several different techniques for accomplishing these two goals, but the process described here has worked well for us. If you aren't confident about doing this step, call your local upholstery shop and they might be able to help you out.

The first part of putting on grill cloth consists of folding the 4 sides while carefully following straight lines.
1. Set the grill cloth face-down on the table. The face is the side with a distinct grid pattern and broken black lines.(195) Place the frame black-side-down neatly centered on the grill cloth.(196) Align one of the long sides with one of the silver lines about an inch from the edge of the grill cloth. Remove the frame and fold the cloth over on the silver line and crease it the entire length of the grill cloth.(197) The bent edge should be at a 90 degree angle.(198)
2. Place the frame back on the grill cloth (with the long edge against the fold) and line up one of the short sides with one of the black lines on the grill cloth about one inch away from the edge of the cloth.(199) Remove the frame, and use scissors or a razor to cut the grill cloth along the folded crease to the chosen black line. DO NOT OVER CUT THIS LINE.(200) Fold over the grill cloth at the black line and crease it the entire width of the cloth.(201)
3. Place the frame back on the cloth with the edges against the two folds. Now find the line on the grill cloth (one of the threads) that is parallel and closest to the the other long side of the frame. Remove the frame and cut the grill cloth along the short folded crease to this new parallel line. Once again, DO NOT OVER CUT THIS LINE.(202) Fold and crease the grill cloth on the new parallel line the entire length of the grill cloth.(203, 204)
4. With the frame resting between the 3 folds, find the line that is parallel and closest to remaining short side of the frame. Remove the frame and cut the grill cloth on each of the long-side folds up to this new line. ONCE AGAIN, DON’T OVER CUT.(205, 206) Fold and crease along this line. (207, 208)
While holding the frame (black side down) onto the grill cloth, turn the assembly around and look at the front. The edges of the grill cloth should wrap tightly around the frame, and all the lines on the cloth should be parallel or perpendicular to the frame sides. Check the straightness of the lines (in both directions) with your speed square and make sure the back of the grill cloth is flat against the front of the frame.(209)
Place the assembly face down on the table. While holding the grill cloth in its proper place, use your staple gun to put one staple in the middle of each side of the frame. Make sure the staple is right in the middle of the side in both directions (up/down and left/right).(210)
Re-examine the assembly to make sure the grill cloth lines are still straight (use your speed square)(211) and check to make sure the back of the grill cloth is still tight against the face of the frame. If so, proceed with placing staples around the outside. Start in the middle of each side and move to the corners. Alternate sides with each staple. Make sure that all of the staples seat completely, or the frame may not fit into the amp cabinet. If some of the staples need to be pushed in further, you can use your channel locks to squeeze them in. Periodically check with your speed square that the lines are remaining straight (in both directions). Don’t worry about getting the grill cloth too tight right now, just concern yourself with getting the lines straight. If you notice some of the lines are going crooked pull out the necessary staples and start over. Take your time and you will be pleased with the results.(212-214)
When you are done stapling and the lines are all straight, cut the surplus lengths of the grill cloth from the corners of the frame.(215)
Fold the remaining grill cloth over to the back of the frame and staple it down. Leave about 1/2” from the corners without any staples.(216)
At one corner of the frame, hold both corners of the grill cloth down, one on top of the other. Use your razor to cut a 45 degree line through both layers of cloth, from the corner of the frame.(217) Remove both cut corners of grill cloth.(218) Use one staple to hold down the grill cloth in the corner. Do this for the other 3 corners.(219)
Use a match or lighter to carefully singe the loose threads at the corners as shown.(220) Move the flame quickly - grill cloth melts very fast.

WARNING: Open flames are dangerous, especially around flammable material such as grill cloth and wood. Use common sense.
If the grill cloth seems looser than you are comfortable with then you can use your heat gun to tighten it up. This is a tricky process to apply just enough heat to tighten it up, but not enough to cause the lines to warp and go crooked, or even worse, burn through the grill cloth. We suggest you practice on some of the scraps you just cut from the frame assembly. This will give you an idea of how easily the grill cloth is affected by your heat gun. Start with the heat gun on the lowest setting and if that isn't hot enough, you can move up from there. Also, start with the heat gun at least 12” away from the grill cloth; move closer if necessary. Move in broad, uniform movements over the entire area, warming the whole frame evenly. Be patient and take your time, and you should be pleased with the results.(221, 222)

Step 13: Installing the Amp

Place the cabinet upright on the table and carefully slip the amp in.(223) It should be a pretty nice slide-fit side-to-side. Looks nice, eh?
Carefully turn the amp over and stand it on-end, with the bottom facing you. Use one hand to hold the amp firmly in place against the cabinet bottom.(224)
Run a sheet metal screw flat head Philips #6x1 (Part # SC67) through one of the countersunk holes in the cabinet bottom. Use a #2 Philips driver, NOT a screw gun! If we all did our jobs well, the screws will line up perfectly with the holes in the chassis and will dig right in. Hold the amp tight to the cabinet and drive the screw in until you feel it pull the amp down tight. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THESE SCREWS or they will strip out the chassis. Repeat for all four screws.(225, 226)

Step 14: Installing the Grill

Fit the grill frame into the front of the cabinet, above the amp. Push it in flush to the cabinet front. It should be an easy fit side-to-side; it may be a tight fit up-and-down.
Fit a 1/16” drill bit to stick about 1-1/8” out of your screw gun, or use your combo piloting bit. Center the grill frame left and right. Carefully pass the bit through the countersunk hole in the cabinet top and drill a pilot hole in the frame. Next, drill the other two holes through the sides of the cabinet into the sides of the frame.(227)
Run a #6x1-1/4” wood screw (Part # SC61) through the hole in the top of the cabinet and into the top of the grill frame. Repeat for the two side screws. Do not over-tighten the side screws; you just want to hold the frame in place, not pull it apart!(228, 229)

That’s it! You are done!! Congratulations.

Step 15: Using Your New Head

The Percolator has been designed to be a nice little bedroom or small studio amplifier that should give you a lifetime of great tone. With only 2 watts at full volume, the Percolator offers some serious cranked up tone at bedroom levels. If you take good care of your amp it should last you decades.

The Percolator was designed to accept a high impedance signal. The amplifier input impedance is around 1M, so most electric guitars and high impedance harp mics will work well with this amp.

One of the main things to remember when using the Percolator is to never turn it on without an 8 ohm speaker load plugged into the output jack! The Percolator was designed specifically to be used with the Zeppelin Design Labs 1x8 speaker cabinet (also available in kit form), but you can use any speaker cabinet or combination of speakers you’d like, as long as the sum of the output impedance is 8 ohms. You also need to make sure that you are using a good quality, 1/4” speaker cable -- not instrument cable! If you don’t know the difference, go talk to the guy at your local pro sound or guitar shop. If you get the Zeppelin Design Labs 1x8 Speaker Cabinet kit, you will learn how to MAKE a quality speaker cable!

It is also very important to be mindful of the line voltage (from the wall outlet) that you are subjecting your amp to. The Percolator was designed to use 118VAC from the wall outlet. If your outlet has less voltage than that across its terminals, then the amp will not be as loud as it should be. On the other hand, electronics in general, and tube amplifiers specifically hate voltage surges. It is true that tube amps are fairly robust electrically, but they also have a step-up transformer that multiplies the voltage from the wall to something much higher, and voltage spikes are multiplied by that ratio too. During these voltage spike situations, It is common for tube amplifiers to experience arcing in the secondary of the power transformer and also in the tubes. The fuse will protect your amp a lot of the time, but sometimes the transients are much quicker than the reaction time of the fuse. Therefore, it’s a good idea to use some sort of surge protector to protect your amp from these transients.

Use common sense with your Percolator. Never touch the tube when it’s on (it gets quite hot). Never get the amp wet. Never use with an ungrounded IEC cable. Do not use with the wrong value of fuse. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Rock out. Have fun.

Introduction: The Percolator - 2W Guitar & Harmonica Tube Amp