Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
Pin Connectors, Crimpers, decent connections, and the futility of it all...
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timelessbeing:
I use tool-less connectors whenever possible for this reason.
stj:
so are there any official outlets/sellers for "Engineer" tools in Europe / U.K. ??
i wouldnt mind a Pad-02 set, but at those type of prices i'm sure there are clones around.
T3sl4co1l:
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. :palm:  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
stj:
if by IDC you mean the punchdown type, those are easy.
but i hate them, there is no cord-grip/ clamping - they turn into wire strippers if you pull too hard!
Psi:
One thing you can do to find a cheap china crimp tool for a connector is to message and ask a connector business on aliexpress/alibaba.
For any semi-common connector pin they will know what crimp too to use, or will know someone else nearby who they can ask. (Most of the time its just a little Shenzhen store, so it's very easy/quick for them to walk 50meters to the crimp tool store and ask/buy one)
Most china crimp tools are like ~$20 so if you say you will be ~$50 they will be happy to figure it out for you and take the $30

Obviously it depends who you ask, dont just ask a random seller. Look for a business on aliexpress that deals a lot in connectors. but most of the time this approach works to get you a crimp tool that works and doesn't cost $800.
Even if it takes you a few attempts to get a good tool it's still way cheaper than $800 for an official tool.
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