Improving on cheap solderless breadboards.

[buzzawak]

I have decided to have a go at building an 8bit breadboard computer.
I have scrounged up all the components needed and looking at the cheap solderless breadboards.
I need about 12 x 830 pin breadboards and can't justify the cost of the top quality units.
The cheap $3-5 units all seem to have a bow in them, I guess due to the moulding process.

Has anyone had a go at correcting the fault in these and to what level of success?

[Whales]

Bow?  How big?  My 830pt boards all lie flat, I have not noticed this problem.

(N.B. they're crazily cheap from LCSC, so I tend to order them in batches of 5-10)

[buzzawak]

I started with one from Jaycar Electronics that you could actually rock, which I returned.
Since then I have bought two off Aliexpress (different brands) both have a slight bow.
The bow is stopping the board from sitting flat on the table. I guess If I used the backing tape It would not be so noticeable.
The boards also have two mounting holes on the underneath (under the backing tape) on the power rails, I could use those to force the board into shape.

 
 

[buzzawak]

That is a bloody cheap price.
@Whales, you consider them value at that price?

Bow?  How big?  My 830pt boards all lie flat, I have not noticed this problem.

(N.B. they're crazily cheap from LCSC, so I tend to order them in batches of 5-10)

[Whales]

I've just stripped the foam off the back of a new one, it sits flat on my desk fine and I can't make rocking noises with it or feel it rocking.

I suspect these boards will be made of polystyrene.  Do you store them anywhere that gets above ambient temperature?  Is your mailbox a dutch oven?

Given that you are using them without foam on the bottom: the metal clips could be sticking out underneath unevenly.  Every time you push a wire in you may push these out slightly, they're removable.

Otherwise: curved desk?

@Whales, you consider them value at that price?

What do you mean by 'value'?  They're the same boards, AFAICT, as all of the other cheap 830pt boards.  Opinions will vary greatly, from my experience these do have a life limit before connections into them get very unreliable.

[buzzawak]

I leave the foam backing on, I just don't peel off the cover and stick it down. I was thinking that sticking them down may help.
They arrived with the bow in them on a day that was moderate weather-wise.
I guess by "value" I mean are you happy with them considering the price.


 

[Peabody]

Julian Ilett built a breadboard computer, and went deep into the breadboard problem.  Apparently he found some he liked:



The link in that video no longer works, but that seller has these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Solderless-MB-102-MB102-Breadboard-830-Tie-Point-PCB-BreadBoard-Arduino/253358454189

But I'm not sure they are the same thing as Julian got.  If interested, you might message the seller and ask.  It looks like Julian's were branded "Stellarsource".

[buzzawak]

Thanks @Peabody for the information.

[Teti]

I've bought about half dozen of MB-102 breadboards (the same as Julian) and they are decent quality. I would recommend them.