How do you straighten the leads of your components?

[INORAN]

Hello guys! first time on the forum. I'm beginning to fiddle with electronics and I do a lot of component recycling. The problem is that I can't seem to find a good way to straighten the leads of the components I've used. I borrowed some from university and I'd like to return them in mint condition, I tried using some long nose pliers (exactly like this one) with my transistors but it seems like it's doing more damage than good to the poor thing.

So I'd like to know if you have any good tips & tricks or if you can recommend me a good tool for the job.

Thanks! 

[orbiter]

Hi and welcome to the forums

For lead straightening.. Check out some 'smooth jaw pliers'. They're available quite cheaply on eBay etc.. Just double check that you are indeed ordering 'smooth jaws' as
the serrated type can mess-up leads as it seems you've found out.

 

[helius]

I highly suggest you find a tool like this one:
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/edsyn-wp286-wigapry-pcb-tool/p/118-958
"Edsyn Wiga-Pry WP286". The point of the tool has a small round hole that is larger than a component lead. It's an excellent way to bend or straighten leads without slipping or using excessive force.

Pliers are no good, they either slip off or make too sharp a bend.

[Rick Law]

Hello guys! first time on the forum. I'm beginning to fiddle with electronics and I do a lot of component recycling. The problem is that I can't seem to find a good way to straighten the leads of the components I've used. I borrowed some from university and I'd like to return them in mint condition, I tried using some long nose pliers (exactly like this one) with my transistors but it seems like it's doing more damage than good to the poor thing.

So I'd like to know if you have any good tips & tricks or if you can recommend me a good tool for the job.

Thanks! 

The one you show has teeth -- Don't use one with teeth.


Use the smooth surface one.  Choose a shape you like, but smooth surface like this:


Do the horizontal, rotate, and do it again.  After just a few presses, it will look as straight as new from the shop.  The shape doesn't matter so much as long as the surface is smooth.  The gripping teeth will not smooth the wire.

Rick

EDIT:  I want to emphasize, you don't use this to bend it back to shape - you pressure-press the bend out between the flat surface.  Where there is a bend, let the bend sit vertical against one of the surface and press down on the bend to remove it.

[orbiter]

Pliers are no good, they either slip off or make too sharp a bend.

Can't say I've ever noticed that... These are excellent for bending/straightening leads. In fact you can almost perfectly straighten leads again.

[kingofkya]

2 pcbs and samwitching the pins between them works well for DIP chips.

[INORAN]

Thanks everybody for your help, I think I'll get some of those pliers 

[all_repair]

http://www.futurlec.com/Tools-IC.shtml

[Cliff Matthews]

I use 11-inch long nose pliers. Lots of levered straightening power (can flatten solder to the sides of leads for easy clipping).
The grip area's far away at the end leaving a large, flat vice area with no cutter (so no oops factor here..)

Also, slim enough to fish out dropped items in tight areas and cost $12.00 cdn.

[tautech]

The smooth jaw pliers are known in some trades as "Ducks Bill" pliers. ie. no teeth.

[helius]

"Power Fist"??!
I think I saw that used in a movie, it was called Cruising. 

[K1JOS]

I use 11-inch long nose pliers. Lots of levered straightening power (can flatten solder to the sides of leads for easy clipping).
The grip area's far away at the end leaving a large, flat vice area with no cutter (so no oops factor here..)

Also, slim enough to fish out dropped items in tight areas and cost $12.00 cdn.

Cliff, I googled for these and couldn't find a source.  looks like a great workbench tool - can you suggest where in Canada to buy it?

[robrenz]

I use 11-inch long nose pliers. Lots of levered straightening power (can flatten solder to the sides of leads for easy clipping).
The grip area's far away at the end leaving a large, flat vice area with no cutter (so no oops factor here..)

Also, slim enough to fish out dropped items in tight areas and cost $12.00 cdn.

Cliff, I googled for these and couldn't find a source.  looks like a great workbench tool - can you suggest where in Canada to buy it?

Harbor freight has pliers like that. Are there Harbor Freights in Canada?

[Cliff Matthews]

Here's your link: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/11-in-long-nose-pliers/A-p2925527e

Harborfreight has a better price on this: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/11-inch-long-reach-needlenose-pliers-with-45-offset-jaws-39537.html
and this: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/11-inch-90-angle-long-reach-pliers-39539.html

Should get the job done!

BTW, regarding cheap tool sources, this is worth a read: http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/28/cheap-ass-tools-princess-autos-just-like-harbor-freight-eh/

[GreyWoolfe]

Couldn't resist, how about using a hot steam iron and extra starch .  Seriously, I have a pair of duck bill pliers and they work well.  I don't have the huge 15" ones, mine are much smaller but they do the job.

[nanofrog]

I've a small flat nose/duck bill pair (sized for electronics), and two pairs of smooth jaw pliers; one snipe nose and a needle nose (extras I got as part of a tweezers assortment).