[ARC5] Alligator clip leads

[Richard Knoppow]

    I second this. One can still buy decent alligator clips (and 
crocodile clips, they are not the same) and can get extra 
flexible test lead wire from the larger suppliers. Crimping is 
often not very reliable and the cheap commercial leads I've 
gotten often break at the clip or have poor connections there. 
Bad tools of any sort are a PITA.

On 11/27/2021 11:43 AM, Paul Thekan wrote:
> I've always made up my own clip leads.
> I have some from Radio Shack I bought 30+ years ago that are 
> still good and many of the test leads I made in HS are still 
> doing fine after 50yrs...and counting.
> Paul
> N6FEG
> 
> On Sat, Nov 27, 2021, 11:27 AM Mike Feher <n4fs at eozinc.com 
> <mailto:n4fs at eozinc.com>> wrote:
> 
>     I have struggled with the same problem Steve. Wound up
>     soldering all those clips where the crimps often only crimped
>     the insulation or were intermittent. 73 – Mike ____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     Mike B. Feher, N4FS____
> 
>     89 Arnold Blvd.____
> 
>     Howell NJ 07731____
> 
>     848-245-9115____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     *From:* arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>     <mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
>     <arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>     <mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> *On Behalf Of *Steve
>     WD8DAS via ARC5
>     *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 1:55 PM
>     *To:* arc5 at mailman.qth.net <mailto:arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
>     *Subject:* [ARC5] Alligator clip leads____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     Over the years I've been frustrated by failures of alligator
>     clip leads.  Nothing is worse than thinking the device under
>     test has a problem when in fact it turns out a bad test lead
>     that are the issue. ____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     This has only gotten worse in recent years, as most of the
>     commercially-available clip leads have become complete
>     junk:   A few strands of weird metal inside stiff plastic
>     insulation, with cheaply-made alligator clips loosely clamped
>     (not even crimped) on the ends. ____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     My old leads are wearing out so a couple weeks ago I bought
>     some new clip leads from a reputable vendor.  They turned out
>     to be the worst ever - half of the leads had no continuity
>     right out of the package.  I tried soldering the wires to the
>     clips but the few strands of wire did not seem to want to
>     take solder - very odd stuff.  I trashed them and went on a
>     search for good test leads.  I first sought good test-lead
>     wire and clips to make my own - the minimum quantity of the
>     wire was  too high.____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     I found some ready-made leads from Cal-Test Electronics.   I
>     asked and confirmed they are made from real test lead wire,
>     soldered to good quality clips: ____
> 
> 
>     https://app.caltestelectronics.com/product-list/product-page/view/CT2394/
>     <https://app.caltestelectronics.com/product-list/product-page/view/CT2394/>
> 
>     and bought them from DigiKey, but others sell them as well:
> 
>     https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-test-electronics/CT2394/5028475
>     <https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-test-electronics/CT2394/5028475>____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     https://www.tequipment.net/Cal-Test/CT2394/Alligator-Test-Leads/
>     <https://www.tequipment.net/Cal-Test/CT2394/Alligator-Test-Leads/>____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cal-Test-Electronics/CT2394?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtJbfcMcIM8CEmjI6%2FR0hxQbyY9pD4jm%252Bw%3D
>     <https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cal-Test-Electronics/CT2394?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtJbfcMcIM8CEmjI6%2FR0hxQbyY9pD4jm%252Bw%3D>
> 
>     They are more expensive than the junk, but the two packs I
>     received show the quality I was seeking. ____
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     __ __
> 
>     Steve WD8DAS
> 
>     sbjohnston at aol.com <mailto:sbjohnston at aol.com>
>     http://www.wd8das.net/ <http://www.wd8das.net/>____
> 
>     http://af4k-crystals.com <http://af4k-crystals.com>____
> 
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> 
>     ____
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-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL