Improving on cheap solderless breadboards. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: buzzawak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 03:06:00 am
content: I have decided to have a go at building an 8bit breadboard computer.I have scrounged up all the components needed and looking at the cheap solderless breadboards.I need about 12 x 830 pin breadboards and can't justify the cost of the top quality units.The cheap $3-5 units all seem to have a bow in them, I guess due to the moulding process.Has anyone had a go at correcting the fault in these and to what level of success?

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 03:37:17 am
content: Bow? How big? My 830pt boards all lie flat, I have not noticed this problem.(N.B. they'recrazily cheap from LCSC, so I tend to order them in batches of 5-10)

author: buzzawak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 05:07:47 am
content: I started with one from Jaycar Electronics that you could actually rock, which I returned.Since then I have bought two off Aliexpress (different brands) both have a slight bow.The bow is stopping the board from sitting flat on the table. I guess If I used the backing tape It would not be so noticeable.The boards also have two mounting holes on the underneath (under the backing tape) on the power rails, I could use those to force the board into shape.

author: buzzawak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 05:23:46 am
content: That is a bloody cheap price.@Whales, you consider them value at that price?Quote from: Whales on October 19, 2019, 03:37:17 am

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 06:27:56 am
content: I've just stripped the foam off the back of a new one, it sits flat on my desk fine and I can't make rocking noises with it or feel it rocking.I suspect these boards will be made of polystyrene. Do you store them anywhere that gets above ambient temperature? Is your mailbox a dutch oven?Given that you are using them without foam on the bottom: the metal clips could be sticking out underneath unevenly. Every time you push a wire in you may push these out slightly, they're removable.Otherwise: curved desk?QuoteWhat do you mean by 'value'? They're the same boards, AFAICT, as all of the other cheap 830pt boards. Opinions will vary greatly, from my experience these do have a life limit before connections into them get very unreliable.

author: buzzawak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 06:55:26 am
content: I leave the foam backing on, I just don't peel off the cover and stick it down. I was thinking that sticking them down may help.They arrived with the bow in them on a day that was moderate weather-wise.I guess by "value" I mean are you happy with them considering the price.

author: Peabody
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 02:06:04 pm
content: Julian Ilett built a breadboard computer, and went deep into the breadboard problem. Apparently he found some he liked:The link in that video no longer works, but that seller has these:https://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Solderless-MB-102-MB102-Breadboard-830-Tie-Point-PCB-BreadBoard-Arduino/253358454189But I'm not sure they are the same thing as Julian got. If interested, you might message the seller and ask. It looks like Julian's were branded "Stellarsource".

author: buzzawak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2019, 10:33:52 pm
content: Thanks @Peabody for the information.

author: Teti
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2019, 10:21:15 pm
content: I've bought about half dozen of MB-102 breadboards (the same as Julian) and they are decent quality. I would recommend them.