IC Insertion

[alanp]

Perhaps this is a silly question, but does anyone have any tips for inserting ICs into the cheaper kind of socket?

I don't know if it's because Tayda sell cheap sockets or what, but every IC I've had to put in, I've had to squeeze the legs closer together, because otherwise the IC just sits on top with the legs going either side, rather than in. And if I get the leg spacing wrong, the legs go squish.

[irmcdermott]

IC leads aren't parallel, you need to straighten them to get them to fit in any socket. They actually make tools that will do this (google "ic lead straightener tool" to see). I just try and hold it between my thumb and pointer and apply even pressure to straighten them out.

[nzCdog]

Bend 'em. They don't go into any socket otherwise. I carefully bend each row of IC legs to point straight down using a pair of needle nose pliers.

[irmcdermott]

Here's a cheap one from Jameco if you actually wanted to buy a tool.

IC Straightener

Ian

[DutchMF]

I usually put in one row a very small bit so that the IC is at an angle, then push all the pins of the other side at the same time with my tweezers until they pop in. Then push down the entire IC

Paul

[oldhousescott]

I hold the chip on its side so one set of legs is flat on a table top. I then carefully press down until the legs are more at a right angle to the chip body. I then flip it over and do the same to the other side. This works especially well for the 14 and 16 pin chips.

[pickdropper]

I hold the chip on its side so one set of legs is flat on a table top. I then carefully press down until the legs are more at a right angle to the chip body. I then flip it over and do the same to the other side. This works especially well for the 14 and 16 pin chips.

This is what I do as well.  For me it is easier to control than other methods.

[TNblueshawk]

I hold the chip on its side so one set of legs is flat on a table top. I then carefully press down until the legs are more at a right angle to the chip body. I then flip it over and do the same to the other side. This works especially well for the 14 and 16 pin chips.

This is what I do as well.  For me it is easier to control than other methods.

+2 just be careful not to roll the IC over or your legs go squish!

[jimijam]

i grab em by the ends and gently press the legs against a hard flat surface to ben the legs on each side at the same time so the stay in line.

[GermanCdn]

Invest in the IC leg straightener, it makes life so much easier.  I buy the $0.02 Tayda sockets by the 100s, and the IC leg straightener gets them in every time.

[TNblueshawk]

Invest in the IC leg straightener, it makes life so much easier.  I buy the $0.02 Tayda sockets by the 100s, and the IC leg straightener gets them in every time.

Never seen one, have a link?

[gtr2]

I use my teeth 

[irmcdermott]

Never seen one, have a link?

Here's a cheap one from Jameco if you actually wanted to buy a tool.

IC Straightener

Ian

[TNblueshawk]

I use my teeth 

Hardcore oldskool 

I have never seen one of those IC thingy's Ian, thanks. I usually don't have an issue but I have flattened a few and overall my legs are little crooked at times. I may invest in that tool. I want to keep my teeth 

[Haberdasher]

whenever I try to flatten out the legs on my desk i always lose my grip and fubar the legs.  so i usually just squeeze both sides together a little with a finger and opposable thumb.  whatever works.