SMD/DIP Converter Sockets

[AudioFox]

Doing point-to-point wiring with DIPs is challenging, but the results can be really good if you know what you're doing, however the newer SOIC, SOP, and worst of all, TSOP chips make point-to-point layout next to impossible. I've seen SMD to DIP converter sockets (I think they call them "footprint conversion adapters" in the industry) on offer at various online distributors, unfortunately though, they carry a hefty price tag-the cheapest 18-pin TSOP/18-pin DIP converter I've seen so far is about $16 each . Aren't there any cheaper than that---in the sub-$2 range or thereabout?

[Limhes]

This guy sells some for 2 to 5 euro:
http://www.voti.nl/shop/catalog.html

If you click the English flag in the upper left corner you'll read somewhere that he sends out to non-EU countries as well.

[BWRX]

30 gauge wire and a steady hand will let you do point to point prototyping with SMDs. Granted the TSSOP packages with tight pin spacing are tougher to work with, but the SOIC and other packages aren't bad once you get the hang of it. Honestly, you don't even need a soldering iron with a fine tip. I find the blade style tips to work best with just about any SMD components.

[amc184]

Check out the ones at Futurlec. Their shipping is cheap too.

[Elvee]

You can also use some tricks: here is an example:
http://forums.futura-sciences.com/pr...-tricheur.html

[AudioFox]

Originally posted by BWRX
30 gauge wire and a steady hand will let you do point to point prototyping with SMDs. Granted the TSSOP packages with tight pin spacing are tougher to work with, but the SOIC and other packages aren't bad once you get the hang of it. Honestly, you don't even need a soldering iron with a fine tip. I find the blade style tips to work best with just about any SMD components.

Been there . I made a few headphone amplifiers with Texas Instruments TPA6120A2 20-pin op-amps and whatever their newest D/A converter is, the two biggest challenges I had were keeping the part still and keeping one lead from desoldering itself while I was heating its neighbor. I eventually solved it by forcing a (tiny!) block of teflon between the pins, but it was still kinda touchy... Sticking the DA converter to the board with hot glue helped keep it from slipping around, but wouldn't work on the "Thermally Enhanced" op-amp. I'm beginning to think IC houses really hate hobbyists.

Originally posted by amc184
Check out the ones at Futurlec. Their shipping is cheap too.

Originally posted by Limhes
This guy sells some for 2 to 5 euro:
http://www.voti.nl/shop/catalog.html
If you click the English flag in the upper left corner you'll read somewhere that he sends out to non-EU countries as well.

Certainly better than the $16-$40 I was finding the other day.

Originally posted by Elvee
You can also use some tricks: here is an example:
http://forums.futura-sciences.com/pr...-tricheur.html

Clever! I'm going to have to try this now, whether I need to or not.




Many thanks guys
~Audio