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DIY jumper pins for breadboard

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strongheart
(@strongheart)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 27
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Someone posted on Dronebot a problem with breadboard jumpers. I forget the exact problem, but I was using sections of CAT 4 wire (22 g cu). It needed a more solid pin.

Immediately I thought of the solution, but today I finally made some jumpers using sewing pins from the dollar store.

  • solid
  • easy to insert
  • easy to grab.
  • insulated heads
  • markable heads
  • extra contact area for testing or power
  • cheap

I don't know how durable they are, how much resistance or reactance they might add.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F8rQnt3OFjKS257gz_4P1afrpQa6TVpI/view?usp=sharing

Instructions:
(quick version: file the pins, lots of wraps, heat sink the head and solder)

  1. prep the pins by filing them around where the solder will be applied.
  2. strip at least 1/2 inch of wire on each end that will be pinned - a longer strip give you better torque as you wind
  3. wind a tight several wraps of exposed wire around the pin near the head.
  4. Spread the coils apart slightly - this will give space for solder and tightens the coil more intimately to the pin
  5. apply flux paste.
  6. slide the coil about 1/8 inch from the head - this is where you will hold the pin with pliers - it will also act as a heat sink to prevent the head from melting off.
  7. heat the pin and solder the wire to it.
  8. Check to make sure the wire doesn't slide.
This topic was modified 3 years ago by strongheart

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strongheart
(@strongheart)
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The heads are markable - color-coded or numbered - or happy little emogies. 

happyPins

 

Taking yourself seriously is no laughing matter.
Taking someone else, seriously, it's a federal offense.


   
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ZoolanderMicro
(@zoolandermicro)
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Joined: 4 years ago
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Can you solder wire to the pins easily? I need to check out my local dollar store for these pins. They are useful for many things. 

ZoolanderMicro, where small ideas are a big deal


   
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strongheart
(@strongheart)
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@zoolandermicro
Solderable, but they may have a coating to keep them from rusting (they are not stainless steel like grandma's pins were).   I dragged them across a sanding sponge and cleaned them with flux, burning anything else off.  It's not the best solder bond, but enough wraps, deep enough scratches and it's good enough. 

Those pins are also good for opening tight breadboard holes.

 

 

Taking yourself seriously is no laughing matter.
Taking someone else, seriously, it's a federal offense.


   
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ZoolanderMicro
(@zoolandermicro)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 144
 

Yes, using these to opening tight breadboard contacts is a good idea. It's a bummer when you can't get the thin leads of a resistor to plug in without bending. I like to make my breadboards neat. I should check out my local $ store and get a box of these pins. I'm sure I can find a hundred uses ~(;-)

ZoolanderMicro, where small ideas are a big deal


   
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