Decent Cheap Breadboard recommendations?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 08:04:18 am
content: I bought some breadboards (see attached picture) on eBay a while back but the hole diameter seems to be too narrow or stiff for a lot of common component leads, it requires way too much force to push leads in. Fortunately, I got a refund. Most of these eBay cheap listings don't specify the pitch or hole diameter.This isn't going to be something I use regularly, so I'd rather not spend a ton for a name brand (I have a no-name brand breadboard I got with an Arduino kit on Amazon which is fine but I need more of them in larger sizes).Just looking for a couple small and medium sized boards. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 08:43:50 am
content: Might want to take a look atWisher(FWIW, they get rebranded by others). Not top end, but decent. Certainly a far sight better than the Wun Hung Lo stuff available on eBay and similar sites.Beyond that, can't offer any links as I've no idea where you are or what your budget is.For country, it really helps if you go into your user profile and set your country. That will then display your nation's flag, which will help members provide relevant links.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2014, 01:27:17 pm
content: Quote from: salil on May 17, 2014, 08:04:18 amI have a couple of the breadboards in your picture. I also have some from 3M, Wisher, and a few from other companies. I can't say that I've noticed any significant differences in hole size or the amount of force required to insert leads. Most breadboards are made for 22-24 gauge wire size.Component leads in recent times seem to have become both thinner and weaker. They are difficult to insert without bending on almost all breadboards. On the other hand, many parts have leads that are basically too big for breadboards.

author: Kappes Buur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 06:33:03 am
content: I usually get mine fromhttp://www.dipmicro.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=521

author: Evil Lurker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 10:54:41 pm
content: Ebay seller nyplatform has the 830 tie point boards for $3.24 if I recall correctly. Got several of these and am satisfied with the quality. Pretty much the same exact thing rat shack sells for a whole lot less coin.

author: max666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:17:56 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on May 17, 2014, 01:27:17 pmThe biggest I can push in on mine, without feeling like a paedophile, is a TO-220 package.Other than that, I always have a pair of needle nose pliers at hand, which helps pushing in leads without bending them:

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:18:22 pm
content: Not sure of the size you want, but here's a couple of Wisher examples that would be easy on the wallet:1260 hole1920 holeFWIW, for anyone that doesn't mind used top end (3M), there's a listing for aSET OF 2 MODEL 336 & 318 boards from 3M. The318goes for $76 new, and the336for $127 (prices from digikey), so this could be one heck of a deal for the winner.

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:41:40 pm
content: Buyhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Electronic-Project-Breadboard-Univ-Terminal-Strip-840-tie-points-total-3M-/200668490915?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb8c62ca3

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:42:05 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on May 18, 2014, 11:18:22 pmWhat a coincidence, those are the same two 3M boards I have. I bought the 318 new from Mouser years ago for about $50 and the 336 off eBay a couple of years ago for $35 + shipping.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2014, 03:48:55 am
content: Quote from: rdl on May 18, 2014, 11:42:05 pmI actually have an older version of the 327 (ACE 127; metal plate is blue rather than red).I'm also particularly partial to Global Specialties premier line (just as good as 3M for less money IMHO).PB-103 as an example. Haven't tried Global's E series (economy versionPB-103E), but should be decent as well (contacts are phosphor bronze instead of nickel silver <brass>). Wisher's are phosphor bronze as well, and less money than Global Specialties (made in Taiwan and USA respectively).