How to Gator Clip an Audio Jack for Circuit Bending

Circuit bending is an interesting hobby that includes bending the sounds an electronic toy or instrument makes. One part of the process of circuit bending could be to install an audio jack, so you can hook the toy up to an amp.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electronic toy
• Screwdrivers
• Batteries
• Amplifier
• Alligator clips
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Switches
• Heat-resistant surface
• Drill

1. Gather the tools you will need for your circuit bending project. This should include a soldering iron, solder, a variety of switches, heat-resistance work surface or mat, the toy you're bending, a selection of small screwdrivers, batteries, a drill, alligator clips, an audio jack and amp.

2. Dismantle the toy you are bending and take a look at the internals to get an idea of where switches and the audio jack can be placed. You should take into consideration where the components rest when the toy is reassembled. You don't want the circuit board or other parts to be compromise when you screw the casing back together.

3. Plug an audio cable into the amp and place an audio jack on the other end. This will enable you to see the size of the hole you need to make in the casing of the toy. Use alligator clips to clip onto the terminals on the back of the speaker, then to the terminals on the audio jack.

4. Press a button on the toy to make sure the sound is now going through the amp. Use small wires and solder one end of them to the terminals on the speaker and the other ends to the terminals on the jack. Drill a hole in the casing and install the jack permanently.