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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: steve_c on October 28, 2009, 08:18:45 AM

Title: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: steve_c on October 28, 2009, 08:18:45 AM

Can anyone tell me how to secure the headers so they remain straight when I solder them?

I tried a couple but they're all wonky so I can't put the 6 pin plug on them... :(

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: GearMotion on October 28, 2009, 09:08:47 AM

Put the plug on first, then solder.

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: blackbeard on October 28, 2009, 09:09:45 AM

the best way i find is to plug something into them. that way even if the base softens a bit the pins wont shift.

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: TrickyNekro on October 28, 2009, 12:21:38 PM

The headers usually come in a row... Solder one pad, then place the header, then apply heat to the pad, so the solder melts,
and the header is pushed in, then solder the rest of the pads... Easy....


Best Regards, Lefteris
Greece

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: SmAsH on October 28, 2009, 02:47:28 PM

Two methods of keeping them straight when ive been soldering them are:
1. Use a small amount of bluetac or putty in between the black part and the board... works a treat!
2. As said before, you can use a crimp housing to manipulate the header while your soldering to correct it/place it.

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: steve_c on October 29, 2009, 10:03:02 AM

Thanks for all the answers, guys!     :D

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: Joker94 on October 29, 2009, 03:40:37 PM

i use the methods used above but some times if i have alot of them to solder, before hand i go around an dob the tiniest amount of super glue to each end. it wont interfear with the solder and for not even 5 cents i have soldered hundreds of header pin rows.

Title: Re: Soldering breakaway headers
Post by: Webbot on October 29, 2009, 08:54:05 PM

Or do it all 'upside down' with a breadboard if you have one. ie plug the long end of the pins into your breadboard to hold them - but the board on top and solder.
Obvjously it only works if the pins are taller than all the components on the board.

Alternatively, solder the pins at both ends of the connector only (ie 2 joints). If its not quite straight then re-apply iron and press the black plastic base with your fingernail to straighten it. Alternate from one end to the other till the whole thing is straight. Then do the other pins.

If doing parallel rows of pins then use a servo cable/connector (ie a servo connector but with no servo on the end just in case you melt the servo!). Get one row of connectors soldered as above. Then place the other two rows and snap on the connector to keep them in place. If its a long row then add connectors at both ends.Then solder other rows and remove connector.