Introduction: Scanner Pedal Board
Ever get tired of that old scanner sitting in the corner collecting dust? Well here's something you can do about that old scanner. Recycle it into one amazing pedal board for your pedals and guitar effects. The scanner board perfectly fits 8 pedals (digitech, boss, and the like) or 6 pedals including a wah pedal.
Materials needed
HP Scanjet 3200C
Dremel tool or sander/cutter or the like
spray paint (black)
couple plastic drawer handles or plastic wire straps/locks
felt material
optional tools
riveting tool :: velcro :: drill and bits :: trunk/chest catch/locks
Step 1: Remove Scanner Components and Parts.
For this scanner, there are only 2 screws that holds the cover in place. It is located in the top left corners. Open the scanner bed. Remove all the scanners' components and all internal parts. Make sure you don't throw away these components and parts because they can still be recycled and used. The fluorescent bulb in the scanner will eventually be used to light the pedal board when gigging in dark areas.
Step 2: Line Up Your Pedals Inside.
With the help of your sharpie or markers, place your pedals inside and mark the outer edges of the bottom of the scanner where your pedals would go. Since the bottom of this scanner model is not completely leveled, we need to make a few cuts (depending on the size and number of your pedals) to fit the pedals in place.
Also, you might want to flatten some plastic parts of the scanner that's protruding and on the way of your other pedals.
Tools needed :: sander/cutter or dremmel cutting tools or the like.
note: After you make the cuts, you might wanna sand a little bit the sharp edges so the plastic wont scratch the sides of the pedals.
I dont want to recycle and use the glass cover :: If you decide not to use/reuse the glass cover of the scanner, then you can skip this part and move on to step 3. Just place your pedals and lock them in place with velcro, plastic wire straps, or what have you to keep those pedals in place.
Step 3: Cut the Bottom Side of the Scanner.
Here, you can design your own way of cutting. I decided to make mine into a slope. The reason we cut this part is that we can have a room to step on the pedals.
Step 4: Optional: Cover the Big Gapping Hole.
Here I decided to cover a big chunk of open space that used to be the location of the parallel port plug and power plug of the scanner.
I then re-used the plastic that was taken/sawed off from the bottom side of the scanner to cover the area. I riveted these in place.
I then drilled a new hole where my mono OUT plug would go.
note: if you don't want to drill a hole for the plug, you can use an L shaped guitar wire plug for your pedal's OUT. That way it wont be sticking out of the sides of the scanner.
Step 5: Paint and Fit.
As you can see, I had spray painted the scanner with a textured paint that way in wont look flat or dull.
Also, depending on how many pedals you have, you can use velcro and stick your pedals onto the bottom of the scanner bed. Also you can use those plastic wire organizer straps. You just need to drill holes at the bottom and hold them thru the plugs.
Here, I used plastic drawer handles. I cut these handles depending on the height of the mono plugs on the sides of the pedal. These drawer handles secure and hold the pedals nicely from moving around and side to side and hold them tightly from falling off when you are carry the whole pedal board.
Step 6: Installing the Handles and Locks.
You can install whatever handle you like from different types of door handles down to latching handles. They are all available on your local hardware stores. I decided to go with the luggage handle that was taken from a broken luggage bag.
Also installed are the trunk/chest catch lock.
You can spray paint these also to match the color of your pedal board.
Last but not the lest, I layered the sides with felt material (can be bought in walmart or hobby stores i.e., hobby lobby or michaels.) to fit the pedals and makes it look cleaner and uncluttered.
Step 7: A See-thru-glass Scanner Pedal Board :: Pedal Case!
So there you have it. A cheaper way to make use of that scanner that is collecting dust and using valuable space in your room. Did I also mention that it is also a neat and organized way to show off your pedals to your friends and comes complete with a glass cover. Sweet!
Total Cost: $8: for the paint and trunk/chest catch lock. everything else recycled from something.
16 Comments
12 years ago on Step 7
you're a genius xD
14 years ago on Introduction
Hey, I'd like to know; How much did you pay for the Velcro[is it like a certain amount per inch of measurement or what? If so, how much. If not, how do they calculate how much you're supposed to pay?] and where did you get it? I've looked a few places and can't find it, well, online that is. I don't know if the fact that i live in Canada makes a difference, i mean, Velcro is Velcro. If you could tell me where to get it and the approximate price I'd appreciate it, thanks
14 years ago on Introduction
any ideas on how to fit a wah peal in there without destoying the case ?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
The wah surely fits in there but you wont be able to use the lid/cover because of the wah's height which is a little bit higher compared to the regular pedals.
14 years ago on Introduction
Anyone interested in buying the scanner pedal board from me? Let me know, send me a message.
14 years ago on Introduction
Whats the green BOSS pedal? Nice instructable
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thanks, the green Boss pedal is a Tremolo.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Np. Is it a modded one?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
No not yet. But when I mod it and it gets done, it wont look like a boss. It will look more like a behringer because I know I will ruin and destroy the whole thing in the process and I wont be able to afford a new boss trem and would just end up buying a behringer instead!!! LOL. You know an easy tweak and mod for this? The not so complicated mod but good tone...
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Not sure. Is it true bypass? I know this one. It's an extremely easy mod so you dont have to worry about messing it up lol C4 MOD: Materials: (1) Phillips-head screwdriver (1) Bowl or cup (you don't want to lose any screws) (1) Pair of small scisors, wire cutters, or nail-clippers. -Take the battery out of your pedal, and/or unplug it from a wall outlet adapter. -Unscrew the bottom 4 screws from the pedal, and put them in your cup or bowl. -Take the bottom panel and plastic covering off underneath that. -Pull out the circuit board, keeping in mind you will have to pull out at an angle so the 9v adapter box can slide out of its hole with ease. -Locate the larger of 2 small "silvery pillow" objects (capacitators, if you know what they look like) and cut/clip both leads from the circuit board. -Tape the C4 inside your pedal somewhere so that you don't lose it. (Encase you decide that you hate a good sounding pedal, you can solder it back in. -Put the circuit board back in, replace the plastic cover, screw the bottom panel back in, and you're done!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
What does it do by the way. I mean how is the sound like? got any samples or linx I can listen to?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
It makes it sounds more "clearer" and "vintage" like.
Even if you dont like ho the mod turns out you can always tape or solder the capacitor back on lol
But i cant seem to find a link to a video.
You could always send it to analogman to get modded though
http://www.analogman.com/boss.htm
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Well cool. I'm gonna have to try that one out when I'm not too busy. Maybe I will busy myself with that on spring break. I'll keep you posted. Aight be cool and muchas gracias por de informacion!.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
PS: Most people cant find the C4 capacitor in their tr-2. If you cant find it i can send you a pic with more detailed instructions. -Buster
15 years ago on Introduction
This board has not been gigged but it looks promising. And if you're someone who does not care about what your stepping into, i guess this might not work for you. But then again, this is just a recycled pedal board out of a scanner so who cares if you break it... rock on!
15 years ago on Introduction
That looks pretty damn cool, like the glass cover a lot. Not sure if I would gig it though, a clumsy guy like me would be sure to step on the edge of the case in the dark.