Supplementary Construction notes
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To make life easier this project can be built without recourse to 
expensive parts or equipment. The luxury of custom PCB designs has been 
abandoned in favour of the hobbyists' friend: stripboard.

For those of you not familiar with this fine invention, stripboard 
consists of a plastic or resin-fibre board, perforated with regularly 
spaced holes. On the underside of the board are a number of parallel 
strips of copper, running the length of the board, and each incorporating 
one row of the holes.

By breaking the copper tracks where necessary, and linking between them 
using pieces of wire, it is possible to make quite complex arrangements of 
conducting material. The legs of the electronic components can then be 
pushed directly through the holes and soldered to the tracks in order to 
construct whole circuits. Believe me, it sounds far more complex than it 
actually is.

Stripboard is readily available along with the other components. The 
supplier I recommend (for UK readers) is Maplin Electronics. Their 
catalogue is available from most large newsagents, and they have a number 
of shops dotted round the country. Maplin order codes and approximate 
prices are included where appropriate.

You'll need tools to cut the board itself and the copper tracks. For the 
former, a good old fashioned Stanley knife or heavy duty craft knife will 
do. Maplin sell a plastic handled version (FS98G, œ1.05) which will do the 
job admirably.

For cutting the copper tracks you'll need another tool. Whilst you could 
theoretically get away with using the craft knife here, you'll find life 
much easier with a drill bit. A 3mm general purpose or metal cutting bit 
will do - but not a wood or masonry bit. If you haven't got one kicking 
around, borrow one as you'll only need it for a day. Failing that, Maplins 
sell them (FV60Q, œ0.76) as well as a custom tool for the same job (FL25C, 
œ5.99) which is ideal if you intend to do a lot of work with stripboard.