Do tool-less PCB standoffs exist? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 04:56:24 am
content: Something like this loud speaker grill attachment post and socket, but designed for thin FR4 instead of thick wood.Obviously it's not as secure as the latching kind, but good enough for a home project where you know it isn't going to be subject to transport shock and vibration.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 05:18:31 am
content: Something like these?https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/keystone-electronics/8890/1885751https://www.newark.com/wurth-elektronik/709610500/pcb-spacer-support-7-9mm-nylon/dp/94AC5722

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 06:06:27 am
content: Quote from: fourfathom on June 05, 2021, 05:18:31 amThose are the latching kind that require a pair of pliers to release the board.I'm looking for something that you can just pull away (with sufficient force).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 07:28:52 am
content: Quote from: e100 on June 05, 2021, 06:06:27 amSure but there are 2 ways to solve that:1. Make up a hollow release tool that depresses the lugs enough to pull the PCB from the post.2. File or scalpel the lugs to allow for easy release of the PCB with just some small pull.

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 10:16:35 am
content: Quote from: tautech on June 05, 2021, 07:28:52 amRequiring the use of a tool would make it the opposite of tool-less (as mentioned in the subject line).Unsupported nylon is difficult to modify by hand. Essentially you would have to attempt to replicate the design of the speaker grill posts.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 12:08:04 pm
content: tool less as in needing no tools to fit,or is using a tool to initially fit them allowed? if no tools adhesive base stand off pillars with an m4 male thread and m4 nylon wing nut,not pull and pray but definatley tool less

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 02:26:55 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on June 05, 2021, 12:08:04 pmTool-less once fitted. A quick release system for boards that don't need to be held with an iron grip.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 03:33:16 pm
content: This kind can be unlocked (on the one side) with just your fingers, in my experience:

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2021, 07:46:22 pm
content: If you can find the service manual for the Commodore SX-64 maybe they will be identified. The boards hold in place with these funny MasterMind-looking pins...On the right.These go into a plastic tube that splits open and keeps stuff together. They can be removed with your fingers, assuming you have a mm or so of nail.I could take pics but my SX is buried.here's a pic I found, look on the lower left for a shiny black round object

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 01:03:51 am
content: Found the manualhttps://manualzz.com/doc/57507047/commodore-sx-64-installation-instructionsCommodore calls them "plastic lacks". I did a Google search but that name doesn't give any results. Perhaps it was something that Commodore made for themselves.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 01:34:04 am
content: https://za.rs-online.com/web/p/rivets/0280874/Maybe? I don't know. It's not really a stand off, but maybe this can get your search going.Maybe go to Richco's site.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 01:34:26 am
content: Consider snap mounts, like the nylon bits above, but simply tapered, no latchy bit:https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/keystone-electronics/8882/2345366(fourfathom had the same idea)Or the plastic rivet things,https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/essentra-components/RS205W/9342607the mushroom ones like this can be done by hand, if maybe not the easiest. They're kind of pricey. The pin ones seem to say "tool required", probably just for release though? I mean, pushing isn't going to be the easiest, you probably want a screwdriver or something to bear down on, but that's pretty generic, like a chopstick would do.(Alex beat me by seconds,)Ed: and if you don't mind that tools are needed for installation of the hardware, consider lots of things that thread or press in. Like the metal kind by PEM:https://www.pemnet.com/fastening_products/pdf/kdata.pdfTim

author: e100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 04:23:26 am
content: Snap-top standoff fasteners seem to be the closest to what I need.SNAP-TOP® is a registered trade name, is there a generic or alternative name to search for?https://appianfasteners.com/pub/media/downloads/ssadata.pdf

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 05:02:26 am
content: tryhttps://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20210605210149&SearchText=plastic+snap+rivet

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 06:31:12 am
content: Look at Essentra components website, they probably have the largest selection.

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2021, 10:35:04 pm
content: Try the following vendors - have purchased from Judy many times - have met them many times at the HK trade fairs - they are a solid supplier and manufacturer:Quotealso perhaps the largest in the industry:https://www.kangyang-usa.com/They are a Taiwanese firm and they usually sponsor the Taitronics Trade fair in Taipei. Every visit we made to this fair, their hand bags were given to all attendees.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2021, 03:44:18 am
content: Taiwanese, with Shenzen offices? Excuse me if I'm skeptical...(I have no actual idea what their policy is as far as business relations with Taiwan, curious to know.)Tim

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2021, 05:27:09 am
content: mon2 was talking about two separate companies there, as alternative vendor options -- Judy's company in China/Shenzen and Kangyang in Taiwan.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2021, 04:52:41 pm
content: Ah, "also" indeed.

author: ijchan223
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2021, 02:07:00 am
content: https://www.itw-fastex.com/catalog/index.php/dw/op/a/3/c/8/p/53?m=nomaybe search the term snap plunger