High-Quality TO-3 Sockets

EchoWars · 19th November 2004, 12:12 AM

Working on a project, and I needed some sockets for my TO-3 outputs. Always had good luck with the quality of stuff at Digikey, and ordered the Keystone sockets that they sell.

Well, I'm less than impressed with these things. The pin connectors are two flimsy metal tabs that contact the legs, and after two or three insertions the transistor is noticeably loose. Sure, I can take a needlenose and squish the flimsy tabs back together, but this is in a Class A amp, and will be carrying some real current.

Where can I find a TO-3 socket that if worth my time and trouble? I don't want to have to worry about whether I've got a decent connection ot not...

wrenchone · 19th November 2004, 02:57 AM

Finding a good TO-3 socket is really a chore these days, since almost nobody is making devices in TO-3 packages any more. I'll agree - the Keystone sockets are pretty much crap, though they will probably work if you don't insist on doing too many insertions (why would you need to, anyway). I looked around at the various surplus houses, and the best I could find was a seller on Ebay offering Augat sockets (good stuff - the best you will find in these sorry days). Search Ebay using the parameter "transistor socket", and you will find him.... Having done all this searching around makes me determined to hang on to the sockets I've accumulated over the years, as they are probably as extinct as the dinosaurs....

Sch3mat1c · 19th November 2004, 03:18 AM

Solder to the dang pins already and be done with it.

Tim

EchoWars · 19th November 2004, 06:14 AM

I would, but, like, that's cheating...

aht · 19th November 2004, 06:47 AM

http://www.aht.8m.net/AHT%20FPB150/FPB150.htm

http://www.aht.8m.net/cgi-bin/i/AHT%20FPB150/BAL752.JPG

http://www.aht.8m.net/cgi-bin/i/AHT%20FPB150/8.jpg

Good luck and if you have any question for a method to build t0-3 socket it's very easy and tighly. HU HU HU

EchoWars · 19th November 2004, 10:10 AM

Appreciate it...but I pulled the trigger on the eBay auction. 10 decent sockets for $12 US was too good to pass up.

19th November 2004, 12:12 AM	#1
EchoWars diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Left of the Dial	High-Quality TO-3 Sockets Working on a project, and I needed some sockets for my TO-3 outputs. Always had good luck with the quality of stuff at Digikey, and ordered the Keystone sockets that they sell. Well, I'm less than impressed with these things. The pin connectors are two flimsy metal tabs that contact the legs, and after two or three insertions the transistor is noticeably loose. Sure, I can take a needlenose and squish the flimsy tabs back together, but this is in a Class A amp, and will be carrying some real current. Where can I find a TO-3 socket that if worth my time and trouble? I don't want to have to worry about whether I've got a decent connection ot not...

19th November 2004, 03:18 AM	#3
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Solder to the dang pins already and be done with it. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

19th November 2004, 06:47 AM	#5
aht Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: thailand	In my idea project http://www.aht.8m.net/AHT%20FPB150/FPB150.htm http://www.aht.8m.net/cgi-bin/i/AHT%20FPB150/BAL752.JPG http://www.aht.8m.net/cgi-bin/i/AHT%20FPB150/8.jpg Good luck and if you have any question for a method to build t0-3 socket it's very easy and tighly. HU HU HU

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19th November 2004, 02:57 AM	#2
wrenchone diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Silicon Valley	Finding a good TO-3 socket is really a chore these days, since almost nobody is making devices in TO-3 packages any more. I'll agree - the Keystone sockets are pretty much crap, though they will probably work if you don't insist on doing too many insertions (why would you need to, anyway). I looked around at the various surplus houses, and the best I could find was a seller on Ebay offering Augat sockets (good stuff - the best you will find in these sorry days). Search Ebay using the parameter "transistor socket", and you will find him.... Having done all this searching around makes me determined to hang on to the sockets I've accumulated over the years, as they are probably as extinct as the dinosaurs....

19th November 2004, 06:14 AM	#4
EchoWars diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Left of the Dial	I would, but, like, that's cheating...

19th November 2004, 10:10 AM	#6
EchoWars diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Left of the Dial	Appreciate it...but I pulled the trigger on the eBay auction. 10 decent sockets for $12 US was too good to pass up.

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