Best IC socket?

[Skyfox]

When installing an IC socket, what type is best for long term reliability and good connection:  the machine tooled kind with the post pins or the dual wiper type with the flat pins?

[bsudbrink]

Machine turned by far.

[coromonadalix]

by experience   machine tooled,  but the insertion force is greater, care must be taken like:  very straight pins or no solder blob/excedent on them (clean them with solder wick)

[james_s]

The machined pin type are dramatically superior, they're a lot more expensive though so it isn't always worth it.

[bd139]

Harwin and amp turned pin sockets are good. You do need a leg straightener tool if you’re socketing ICs as well as good sockets.

Don’t buy no brand sockets, even turned pin. They are terrible.

Also don’t expect any IC socket to last more than a few insertions. If you need to do that, use a ZIF socket.

Really though the best socket is no socket!

[james_s]

I generally only use sockets on programmable parts, and stuff like drivers that are exposed to the outside world and may be damaged. Otherwise I've had problems caused by sockets almost as often as I've had problems caused by bad ICs.

Can't say I've ever had a bad machine pin socket though.

[tkamiya]

I've seen both types fail.  The machine type tends to collect dust and moisture.  The cheaper type works fine for decades until it decides to quit.

The machine types tolerate plugging/unplugging cycle better than cheaper type.  The cheaper type can wick solder into contact area, depending on design.

Really, if reliability is an issue, I'd not use any socket.  When socketed boards fail, first thing everyone tries is unplug and plug every socket.  That should tell you something. 

[jfphp]

The machine tooled
doesn't like vibrations
desoldered IC ; they open the contacts and a new IC is less fastened
is prone to oxidation :  putting out an in the IC is not as efficient as with the cheaper support.
As explained best solution is no support (except for ROM, RAM, processor,...) : old Tek stuff was full of supports including transistors and restart is a nightmare.

[dacman]

I've had several IC pins break off when trying to remove them from a machined socket.  I prefer gold-plated sockets.