How do you straighten the leads of your components? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: INORAN
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 10:15:32 pm
content: Hello guys! first time on the forum. I'm beginning to fiddle with electronics and I do a lot of component recycling. The problem is that I can't seem to find a good way to straighten the leads of the components I've used. I borrowed some from university and I'd like to return them in mint condition, I tried using some long nose pliers (exactly like this one) with my transistors but it seems like it's doing more damage than good to the poor thing.So I'd like to know if you have any good tips & tricks or if you can recommend me a good tool for the job.Thanks!

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 10:36:02 pm
content: Hi and welcome to the forumsFor lead straightening.. Check out some 'smooth jaw pliers'. They're available quite cheaply on eBay etc.. Just double check that you are indeed ordering 'smooth jaws' asthe serrated type can mess-up leads as it seems you've found out.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 10:37:35 pm
content: I highly suggest you find a tool like this one:http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/edsyn-wp286-wigapry-pcb-tool/p/118-958"Edsyn Wiga-Pry WP286". The point of the tool has a small round hole that is larger than a component lead. It's an excellent way to bend or straighten leads without slipping or using excessive force.Pliers are no good, they either slip off or make too sharp a bend.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 10:43:58 pm
content: Quote from: INORAN on February 25, 2015, 10:15:32 pmThe one you show has teeth -- Don't use one with teeth.Use the smooth surface one. Choose a shape you like, but smooth surface like this:Do the horizontal, rotate, and do it again. After just a few presses, it will look as straight as new from the shop. The shape doesn't matter so much as long as the surface is smooth. The gripping teeth will not smooth the wire.RickEDIT: I want to emphasize, you don't use this to bend it back to shape - you pressure-press the bend out between the flat surface. Where there is a bend, let the bend sit vertical against one of the surface and press down on the bend to remove it.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 10:49:22 pm
content: Quote from: helius on February 25, 2015, 10:37:35 pmCan't say I've ever noticed that... These are excellent for bending/straightening leads. In fact you can almost perfectly straighten leads again.

author: kingofkya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 10:56:02 pm
content: 2 pcbs and samwitching the pins between them works well for DIP chips.

author: INORAN
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 11:29:40 pm
content: Thanks everybody for your help, I think I'll get some of those pliers

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2015, 11:57:49 pm
content: http://www.futurlec.com/Tools-IC.shtml

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 01:11:22 am
content: I use 11-inch long nose pliers. Lots of levered straightening power (can flatten solder to the sides of leads for easy clipping).The grip area's far away at the end leaving a large, flat vice area with no cutter (so no oops factor here..)Also, slim enough to fish out dropped items in tight areas and cost $12.00 cdn.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2015, 01:18:39 am
content: The smooth jaw pliers are known in some trades as "Ducks Bill" pliers. ie. no teeth.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 02:35:22 am
content: "Power Fist"??!I think I saw that used in a movie, it was called Cruising.

author: K1JOS
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 04:00:06 pm
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on February 27, 2015, 01:11:22 amCliff, I googled for these and couldn't find a source. looks like a great workbench tool - can you suggest where in Canada to buy it?

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 04:06:09 pm
content: Quote from: K1JOS on February 28, 2015, 04:00:06 pmHarbor freight has pliers like that. Are there Harbor Freights in Canada?

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 01, 2015, 12:04:48 pm
content: Here's your link:http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/11-in-long-nose-pliers/A-p2925527eHarborfreight has a better price on this:http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/11-inch-long-reach-needlenose-pliers-with-45-offset-jaws-39537.htmland this:http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/11-inch-90-angle-long-reach-pliers-39539.htmlShould get the job done!BTW, regarding cheap tool sources, this is worth a read:http://toolmonger.com/2007/01/28/cheap-ass-tools-princess-autos-just-like-harbor-freight-eh/

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 01, 2015, 09:09:10 pm
content: Couldn't resist, how about using a hot steam iron and extra starch. Seriously, I have a pair of duck bill pliers and they work well. I don't have the huge 15" ones, mine are much smaller but they do the job.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2015, 11:42:15 pm
content: I've a small flat nose/duck bill pair (sized for electronics), and two pairs of smooth jaw pliers; one snipe nose and a needle nose (extras I got as part of a tweezers assortment).