And then there's IDC connectors. Stupid easy to make up, can even get passable results with a flat blade screwdriver. Good results, though -- reliable? Not even the wiring houses can manage.
Related subject, I had another example of this, the connectoconfusopoly. Had spec'd a 3M 30310 series header. I know they make these with holes in the ends, so you can fit a retention clip over the plug; nice, right? I thumb* through the 3M catalog looking for these mates, since I'm responsible and I want to get it from the horse's mouth, not just assuming that what looks right will work. A dozen minutes later and I'm looking at the only clip they offer, and it's for the 2500 series headers.
Naturally, they don't provide dimensions on where those clips hook onto, so it's anyone's guess if the clips work or not. Long story short, I have to offer the customer the retention clip option with a BOM substitution to be sure it works (or to pick up some clips and, you know... try them? ewww).
*Virtually of course.
Even more tangential, press-fit connectors -- heard one engineer was invited to a presentation by an FAE selling these sorts of connectors. Later into the presentation, he proclaims their process has a "99.7% connectivity rate!" Our engineer raises his hand with a grin, asking: "Great, so if I have a thousand-pin connector on my backplane, can you tell me
which three pins have failed?" The meeting ended soon after...
Tim