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Wire Wrapping? — Parallax Forums

Wire Wrapping?

Bill ChennaultBill Chennault Posts: 1,198
edited 2007-03-26 03:08 in General Discussion
All--

When I was a LOT younger, we wire-wrapped stuff to experiment with. As I remember it, you could buy a perforated board with through holes and on the back side of the board, the holes were surrounded by solder pads. You could easily insert and solder components and sockets and then wire wrap the circuit together.

MY DUMB QUESTION: Can you still do that? If so, where do I find what I just described above and are there different terms to use today than "yesterday?"

Thanks!

--Bill

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You are what you write.

Comments

  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2007-03-22 16:13
    I believe you can. Radio Shack sells boards with "solder pads". I believe you can still get two-level and three-level "Wire-Wrap Sockets".

    The last wire-wrap gun I purchase in the '90s got me a funny look from the sales guy -- "Do people still use these?" he asked.
    I believe this kind of prototyping has been supplanted by a few companies that will manufacture completed boards for $20 each or so, including through-hole vias. That, and the prevalence of surface-mount devices.

    But you can get a "surf-board" to adapt your surface mount device to a DIP form-factor, so that can still work.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-03-22 16:15
    This thread is being moved from the BASIC Stamp Forum to the Sandbox Forum.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2007-03-22 18:03
    At work we do this for all our proto circuits (which tend to end up being the final mock-up).

    Just built a trigger circuit for some radar test setups. a couple of 555's...nothing glorious but fun!

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    ·

    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-03-22 20:11
    Until I came out here a couple of years ago I was still wire-wrapping my designs, including BASIC Stamp based control for many things since it was easier to debug and revise than a PCB and cheaper. Take care.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • Steve JoblinSteve Joblin Posts: 784
    edited 2007-03-23 12:28
    I use it!· It must still be quite popular, since Radio Shack still sells it in their stores!· The wire is also known as "Kynar"... Radio Shack sells it in blue, red, white and a decent wrapping tool as well.· All the big guys sell the stuff as well (Jameco, Digikey, Mouser, etc.).
  • Bill ChennaultBill Chennault Posts: 1,198
    edited 2007-03-23 14:00
    Steve and Chris and All--

    I found what I need at Jameco (obviously!). However, I am going to visit Radio Shack first.

    Thanks!

    --Bill

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    You are what you write.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-03-23 22:50
    I can vouch for Radio Shack’s parts since that’s where I got all my wire-wrapping supplies. Good luck.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • KatyBriKatyBri Posts: 171
    edited 2007-03-26 03:08
    Hello,

    Like many of you I also used wire-wrapping. Several years ago, I had a tool that was a hollow metal tube with a wire spool holder on top. You put the tube over the pin, turned the tube several times and the wrap was made and the wire self-cut. I lost this tool and have not been able to find it again.

    The ones at Radio Shack are simpler, but the one I had was nice because you had the wire spool and didn't have to use pieces of wire,etc. Does anyone know if and where this kind may be still be purchased?

    Thanks.
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