I have a (very) rudimentary understanding of the way tubes and SET amps operate. I can follow and understand most SET schematics and have calculated the (very) basics of monkey, other DC, and RC designs. I have even designed a couple, tho don’t know if the designs are sound. I have read up on safety and will do so again – probably a couple of times and then some!

I have a huge list of component suppliers. I have NO soldering skills nor tools, but I can gain these with some effort and practise and $. I can be methodical, pedantic, and altogether cautious, which is an advantage in that I will take my time and due care with any build, but…

Questions
Am I deluding myself in thinking that I can scratch-build my first project, maybe even one of my own designs or a modification of someone else’s? I have thought about kits, but none provide exactly what I am looking for, though at times I am not particularly clear on this either. Ever watch a dog chase its tail… for a year!

Other people have done a scratch build for their first project with seemly less knowledge; can I just take the plunge and ask for help where needed? Can I find help here? Maybe I am just looking for that extra shove to overcome first project inertia; is it time to stop conceptualising and start doing?

Kind regards
Raymond