[Elecraft] IC pins

Wed Dec 18 11:49:07 2002

Hi

The alignment tool that comes with the K2 can be used this way also. Insert
all of the pins on one side and use the wide end of the tool to work each
pin into its hole on the other side.

I still prefer pressing all of the pins on each side against a flat surface
and rolling the part to bend all of the pins. Then drop the part into the
board and bend the corner pin out slightly to keep the IC in place. I solder
one pin while pressing on the IC with my finger so it is flat against the
board. Then go back and solder all of the other pins. I always re-flow each
pin after the first soldering operation. I touch each pin without adding
more solder just until the solder melts and flows. This makes sure I have a
good joint, evens up the solder on each pin and helps burn off some of the
flux leaving a cleaner joint. Make sure the tip is clean at the start and do
not wipe the tip between re-flows. About 1 second per pin is all that is
required.

Don Brown
KD5NDB

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeremiah J McCarthy" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 11:17 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] IC pins

> > HOWEVER, what drives me absolutely bats is straightening
> > the "legs" on the IC's! I've managed to almost mangle several
> > in the process. Why can't they be manufactured with straight
> > legs to begin with??
>
> I use a 6 inch stainless steel ruler, some of us call it a scale...I drop
> the pins on one side of the IC into the mounting holes and gently hold it
> in place by placing one finger on the IC...Then I use the end of the
> ruler to GENTLY press the uninserted pins inward, all at the same time,
> until they line up with their respective holes and fall into place due to
> the gentle pressure I have applied to the top of the IC with the other
> hand...This way I never mangle a pin and the tension remains in the pins
> so that the IC does not fall out when I turn the board over to solder it
> into place...
>
> Jerry McCarthy, wa2dkg
> K2 # 2549
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