This was rejected too. Not having much luck. Subject: Re: ZIF Sockets and PICProto boards. X-Cc: Multiple recipients of list PICLIST To: Multiple recipients of list PICLIST In-Reply-To: <199511030203.NAA11787@tbsa.tbsa.com.au> Message-Id: > I recently ordered PICProto-18, PICProto-Dual, and PICProto-64 > from Micro Engineering. I was disappointed that the board layout > of all three does not lend itself to installing ZIF sockets. I'm > currently using Aries 28 and 40 pin sockets and AMP (Textool) 18 pin. I know I have posted similar articles before and I agree with the machine pin 'stack' to get up above offensive components, but to add to the info on ZIF use, you can convert any DIP socket into a ZIF very easily. The Aries type will plug straight into a machine pin socket. This will then plug into any target socket. No soldering, no drama. The TEXTOOL (Green) ZIF has larger pins. This can be inserted into most 'single wipe' el-cheapo sockets, which will in turn plug into a machine pin socket. Again, no soldering. When you have finished with the target board, you remove the ZIF socket assembly. Best if you solder good quality machine pin sockets to the CPU position of your proto boards. I make mention of these types of hardware tips on my Promo Disk. I use lots of sacrifical machine pin sockets for my 'VIP Chips' so that when the pins finally let go, it's only an add on socket that I lose, not my 'VIP Chip' pin. Great for Emulator pods etc. Don... Low Cost DIY PCB's for PICs & COM1/LPT1 PC I/O Interface Kits ;! Don McKenzie. 29 Ellesmere Cres., Tullamarine. 3043 Australia ;@ Tel +61 3 9338 6286 Mobile +61 19 939 799 donmck@tbsa.com.au ;# Check My Promo Disk at http://rasi.lr.ttu.ee/~sis/mirror/don/ ;$ Type: 'finger donmck@tbsa.com.au|more' for more information.