... Pots and switches.
I'd like to be able to test a build before soldering in the board mounted pots and switches. I tried doing it with header pins but the connections were just too unreliable. I've seen expensive automated machinery that'll do this, but that's just a tiny bit over the top for DIY (at least for my DIY).
Are there any good methods/tools to do this?
I like using these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JQ1FPWC/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?qid=1412341067&sr=8-21&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70). They have a tiny little claw that can grab the leg of a component of even a pad if it's near the edge of a board. You can make jumpers with these at the ends and connect one end to your pot lug and the other to the leg of whatever component is on the same node of the circuit. Or you can run a little bit of wire through the pad with enough insulation to keep it from slipping through the hole and grab the wire with the claw. I think I posted pics of this once. I'll try to find them.
In these pics, the lengths of wire aren't connected to anything. They are just short, stripped lengths that are being used to anchor the test clip. The clip would have its own lead.
(http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx105/leevibe1/test%20clips/image_zpsb81bf648.jpg) (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/leevibe1/media/test%20clips/image_zpsb81bf648.jpg.html)
(http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx105/leevibe1/test%20clips/image_zpsf5fddb8e.jpg) (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/leevibe1/media/test%20clips/image_zpsf5fddb8e.jpg.html)
(http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx105/leevibe1/test%20clips/image_zps6cdeeda4.jpg) (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/leevibe1/media/test%20clips/image_zps6cdeeda4.jpg.html)
Quote from: Leevibe on October 03, 2014, 01:10:01 PM
I like using these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JQ1FPWC/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?qid=1412341067&sr=8-21&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70). They have a tiny little claw that can grab the leg of a component of even a pad if it's near the edge of a board. You can make jumpers with these at the ends and connect one end to your pot lug and the other to the leg of whatever component is on the same node of the circuit. Or you can run a little bit of wire through the pad with enough insulation to keep it from slipping through the hole and grab the wire with the claw. I think I posted pics of this once. I'll try to find them.
Excellent idea! I'll get some of these and try them out. Thanks!
That clip idea is pretty cool.
I'm a big fan of a desoldering iron. I have a Hakko 472D with 808 807 pencil handpiece but there are many other great ones out there. I can remove a pot from a PCB in less than 30 seconds with no damage. You can simply populate the PCB as normal and if you need to take something off, just use the iron. Bonus points if you use a piece of wood/acrylic/cardboard as a template to ensure the pots and switches are perpendicular to the PCB before mounting.
Quote from: rullywowr on October 03, 2014, 03:49:37 PM
That clip idea is pretty cool.
I'm a big fan of a desoldering iron. I have a Hakko 472D with 808 handpiece but there are many other great ones out there. I can remove a pot from a PCB in less than 30 seconds with no damage. You can simply populate the PCB as normal and if you need to take something off, just use the iron. Bonus points if you use a piece of wood/acrylic/cardboard as a template to ensure the pots and switches are perpendicular to the PCB before mounting.
I'm a bit jealous of anyone who owns a good desoldering pump. I have the rs one with the sucky bulb thing. It's... sucky. I also have the cheap blue solder sucker. Its ok. I think i want to at least try the real deal soldapult and see if i like it. How's maintenance on the hakko?
I use a Hakko 808
Quote from: rullywowr on October 03, 2014, 03:49:37 PM
That clip idea is pretty cool.
I'm a big fan of a desoldering iron. I have a Hakko 472D with 808 handpiece but there are many other great ones out there. I can remove a pot from a PCB in less than 30 seconds with no damage. You can simply populate the PCB as normal and if you need to take something off, just use the iron. Bonus points if you use a piece of wood/acrylic/cardboard as a template to ensure the pots and switches are perpendicular to the PCB before mounting.
I could do with a desoldering iron. My solder pump works ok, but pots etc. can be a pain to remove.
I usually just drill my box first (using pot locations of PCB) and then use that as the template when populating the PCB.
Makes sure everything fits nicely.
I try and use 'standard' drill patterns as well so I don't have a load of odd enclosures knocking around.
Nothing like a good reason for a new toy ;D
A soldering iron is to a pencil as a desoldering iron is to a power eraser. Seriously, once you use a quality desoldering iron you will wonder why didn't you get one sooner :)
Do you run into issues with it clogging etc? How much effort does it take to keep the filter clean etc?
Just saw this video on the 808. OK, now I reeeeaaallly want one. This thing looks simple and bulletproof.
Its not bullet proof but it works very well as long as you clean it regularly. It doesn't do well once it starts getting gummed up with old flux either ;)
that's a really nifty piece of hardware but I for one can't justify that kind of moolah for what's basically a hobby (and already an expensive one at that).
but I can totally see it being worth it to you fellas that sell boards and work on new stuff and repairs and such.
Quote from: Leevibe on October 03, 2014, 05:02:16 PM
Do you run into issues with it clogging etc? How much effort does it take to keep the filter clean etc?
As Josh mentioned, as long as you perform simple maintenance on it, it runs great. I use a 1.0mm tip and have the cleaning drill and long cleaning pin (looks like a spring). If it clogs, you can use the drill and cleaning pin to remove the clog. Emptying the chamber of solder is also required every now and then. The only times I seem to get a tough clog is if I am sucking up pieces of solid wire...but even then it's not too bad.
http://www.tradetech.co.nz/shop/Tools+Cleaning+Products++Solder+Solutions/Hakko+Soldering+Iron+Parts+%26+Accessories/HAK808.html (http://www.tradetech.co.nz/shop/Tools+Cleaning+Products++Solder+Solutions/Hakko+Soldering+Iron+Parts+%26+Accessories/HAK808.html)
Yeee-oooo-uuuch.
I think I need to try and google-fu a cheap desoldering station.
My cheapo solder-sucker usually works pretty well if I'm able to fit it over the spot and I keep my iron tinned. I have a cheapo RS-style desoldering iron with the bulb and it sometimes works ok, and sometimes doesn't. For two-lead components like resistors and caps, I never really have any issues but pots or IC's tend to give me fits. It's not easy to get every last bit of solder off those pins so they always want to adhere to the holes!
Going back to the original question though, I'm like some of the others where if I'm not too impatient, I'll drill the enclosure so I can use that to get the pots attached BYOC-style and then test the circuit with my testing rig before completing the box-up. I've been known to be impatient on occasion and sometimes will just eyeball up the pots and try to get them as straight as I can and solder away so I can test. This is usually only for something that's a simpler circuit, and only 2 or 3 pots, no switches kind of thing.
Quote from: alanp on October 03, 2014, 06:02:00 PM
http://www.tradetech.co.nz/shop/Tools+Cleaning+Products++Solder+Solutions/Hakko+Soldering+Iron+Parts+%26+Accessories/HAK808.html (http://www.tradetech.co.nz/shop/Tools+Cleaning+Products++Solder+Solutions/Hakko+Soldering+Iron+Parts+%26+Accessories/HAK808.html)
Yeee-oooo-uuuch.
I think I need to try and google-fu a cheap desoldering station.
I got my 472D used off eBay for a good deal. Replaced some general maintenance items and it's good to go.
There is a newer version of the 808 - the FR300. I've almost bought bit half a dozen times.
Quote from: madbean on October 03, 2014, 07:00:09 PM
There is a newer version of the 808 - the FR300. I've almost bought bit half a dozen times.
Yep, me too. It's unfortunately more expensive, but it is smaller. Some folks on various forums complained that the accessories are lower quality, which would be disappointing considering the price increase. But I haven't compared them myself.
Circuit Specialists has one for 100, but it's backordered.
I don't have a good desoldering station at the moment (soon to be rectified), but I use my Soldering tweezers, which I find equally valuable. This is what I use to remove pots (and ICs)
(http://www.emetcalsolderingiron.com/images/photo04.jpg)
These work well and don't break the bank even if it's shipped to canada. Quite small, can hide it in my hand.
(http://www.adafruit.com/images/970x728/1597-00.jpg)
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1597
What would be good is you know the sorta clip pins you get with board mounting stand offs but conductive with a wire attached, so you could push it in the board hole and then squeeze the clips to remove it.
Quote from: davent on October 04, 2014, 02:38:20 AM
These work well and don't break the bank even if it's shipped to canada. Quite small, can hide it in my hand.
(http://www.adafruit.com/images/970x728/1597-00.jpg)
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1597
I can confirm these work well, amazing the difference what that little bit silicon makes. I think I got mine off amazon.
Quote from: Scruffie on October 04, 2014, 10:32:28 AM
What would be good is you know the sorta clip pins you get with board mounting stand offs but conductive with a wire attached, so you could push it in the board hole and then squeeze the clips to remove it.
Yeah, this is exactly the type of thing I'm hoping to find. Lee's idea is pretty close to this and just a little bit more of a pain. So, I'll be giving them a shot. But, if I could find something as simple as even a really tiny banana plug with a lot of flex, that would really do the trick nicely.
Quote from: mmlee on October 04, 2014, 11:07:18 AM
Quote from: davent on October 04, 2014, 02:38:20 AM
These work well and don't break the bank even if it's shipped to canada. Quite small, can hide it in my hand.
(http://www.adafruit.com/images/970x728/1597-00.jpg)
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1597
I can confirm these work well, amazing the difference what that little bit silicon makes. I think I got mine off amazon.
This at least look nice. The crappy solder sucker I have now is headed for the bin. So, I do need a new one. The Hakko's look really nice, but an upcoming oscilloscope purchase is going to eat up my DIY hardware budget for the next couple of years. So, I'll have to give one of these guys a shot too. It can't be worse than the one I've been using.
Quote from: RobA on October 04, 2014, 11:13:15 AM
Quote from: Scruffie on October 04, 2014, 10:32:28 AM
What would be good is you know the sorta clip pins you get with board mounting stand offs but conductive with a wire attached, so you could push it in the board hole and then squeeze the clips to remove it.
Yeah, this is exactly the type of thing I'm hoping to find. Lee's idea is pretty close to this and just a little bit more of a pain. So, I'll be giving them a shot. But, if I could find something as simple as even a really tiny banana plug with a lot of flex, that would really do the trick nicely.
Agreed. If you find something like that, let me know. I'm thinking it would have to be either very flexible or come in two sizes: one for wire pads and one for pot pads.