Global Specialties Solderless Breadboards - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2020, 01:42:57 pm
content: I have a large Jameco breadboard which is over 30 years old that I often fill up. Now I'm looking for another one. The Jameco I have has a metal back-plate, phosphor bronze terminals, screw attached rubber feet, quality binding posts and all the modules are attached with screws. I'm considering a Global Specialties or 3M panel, but can't find complete info on the build quality. In particular, I want the screwed down modules and plated phosphor bronze terminals. I really don't want to build one up from parts, but cheap terminals and sticky back panel and rubber feet attachments are going to be non-starters for me.I can verify all but the panel attachments. I'd appreciate it if one or some of you can verify the screwed down panels.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2020, 04:55:35 pm
content: My 3M boards have the large terminal strips attached with screws (from the back, not visible from the top). The two-row distribution strips are held on with adhesive. 3M boards are actually made by a company called Assembly Specialists and it's way cheaper to buy direct from them.http://www.assemblyspecialist.com/

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2020, 01:56:18 pm
content: Thanks for the reply. One on the way.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2020, 03:44:19 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on July 29, 2020, 04:55:35 pmLooks like the they raised their prices a lot. Still cheaper than 3M, but not by nearly as much as before. 😭

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2020, 08:53:10 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on July 30, 2020, 03:44:19 pmI couldn't remember what the Assembly Specialist pricing used to be, but I checked before posting the link and they were still half of what Digi-Key had listed. The cost for my favorite #318 model is not much different from what I paid for the 3M version 15 years ago. But back when you first discovered AS, I remember it was only one third, so yeah, they have raised their prices considerably.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2020, 09:23:37 pm
content: Old global specialities ones were very good. They went crap about 15 years ago though. 3M expensive.Look around for Wisher ones.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2020, 09:50:23 pm
content: Are Wisher the yellow ones? If so, I might have one. Never really liked that color.Radio Shack used to sell re-branded AP Products/3M breadboards, equivalent to the #309. I bought a couple for around $20 each back in the late 1980s. But they haven't sold those for many years now.The 3M boards pop up on eBay every now and then. Sometimes I see good deals, but I sure don't need any more solderless breadboards.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2020, 10:01:21 pm
content: Wisher are the beige ones.AP products ones were nice. Had one of their “powered” ones in the late 1980s.

author: Dabbot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 03:38:56 am
content: Wisher breadboards generally come in either ABS (White) or POM (beige). E.g.:https://www.x-on.com.au/mpn/wisher/WBP3043https://www.x-on.com.au/mpn/wisher/WBU2043