Mounting clips, sockets for submini tubes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2015, 06:50:59 am
content: I've been looking, and not really finding anything promising. One of those components that's really hard to search for, you really have to see it in person to know what you're getting...Retaining ClipAnyone have any ideas about mounting/retaining clips for a 3/8" o.d. (9.5mm) glass tube that may get very hot? Example:I have some BeCu stock on hand I can make these from, but it's tedious and sloppy, and I'd like it a little stiffer.Specs:Moderate insertion/retention force, I'd guess a few N (mainly to restrain laterally, not axially)Mustn't scratch or crack glassHigh temperature tolerant (maximum envelope temperature 260C!), metal preferred; tinnable plating a plus; example materials: nickel, tin or zinc plated steel; stainless; phosphorus or beryllium copper (bare, tin or nickel plated); aluminum not so much (titanium and other exotica would add cool-factor but probably too much cost to bother).Height above mounting surface is flexible; minimum should be enough to get a screw head in there (a few mm), maximum maybe 1" base to centerline (my example above is about 0.65" / 16.5mm).Also, don't need the overall width excessive.. it shouldn't need to be more than a single strip, bent to shape.Starting points:Fuse holders: way too tough, and usually have end tabs so the fuse doesn't slide out axially. Maybe if there's a clip that's meant to hold the fuse in the middle, just to store it or something?Battery holders: May have possibility. Doesn't need to retain something as heavy as a battery, so I'm guessing they'd be rather stiff as well. Ones I've seen usually have tabs or catches for axial retention, or aren't the right size. (What is that, AAAA or N size diameter??)Holder clips, various: I've looked through some of McMaster, and found some things that might be usable, but they're very vague. Like, 'broom handle clips' with an overly generous shaft diameter range, very loose width (probably a double bent, extra wide construction?), and worst of all, no mechanical drawing. I'm going to pick up a few to see if they're anything like what I'm expecting.To come full retro-circle, yes, there were shields and clips and sockets available for these parts, back in the day... but I doubt Cinch and others are still making them...SocketsUnlike your average miniature tube, these things have wire leads, about like a 1/2W resistor's but somewhat stiffer. They're not so stiff that you can easily shove them into a DIP machined pin socket... you have to guide them in with pliers, one at a time. But they do fit.I'd like a socket that's 0.04 to 0.1" (1-2.54mm) pitch, SIP, 7 pins or more, with sprung wipe contacts suitable for grabbing fine (10-20 mil) wires, and over 0.2" (5mm) insertion depth. Machined pins are very close, but a few times too firm, and only about half as deep as I'd like.Best thing I've come up with so far is, some of those solder-into-PCB socket-pins, which claim the right range of diameter and depth. They're kind of expensive, and I need to make a board and everything...ugh.What definitely does NOT work is any socket header strip made for 0.025" square posts, and related sorts of connectors (like Molex SL, KK, etc.). Fine leads are a hotdog down a hallway on them.Solderless breadboard style contacts work great, I just can't find out what socket strips use such a contact type!Tim