Perma-Socketing custom ICs?

Scucci

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I thought I remember reading something about taking custom ICs (you know, the ones that fall apart if you look at them wrong...) and putting them in a machined socket, and soldering the legs to the socket...

Am I on crack or is that a real thing? I just pulled a 52XX from a Pole Position board and lost a couple of legs... made it run through my mind.

Is socketing them like that a good idea (seems like it) or are there some hidden risks or something that I'm not seeing (barring using too hot of an iron).
 
I thought I remember reading something about taking custom ICs (you know, the ones that fall apart if you look at them wrong...) and putting them in a machined socket, and soldering the legs to the socket...

I've done that in a pinch, but if the pins are corroded enough to snap off easily , then it's probably just a matter of time until they corrode a little more and end up with an open inside the chip where you can't fix it...

Doesn't really hurt anything to do it -- just don't consider it a permanent fix.
 
I've done that in a pinch, but if the pins are corroded enough to snap off easily , then it's probably just a matter of time until they corrode a little more and end up with an open inside the chip where you can't fix it...

Doesn't really hurt anything to do it -- just don't consider it a permanent fix.

Not permanently fixed... but permanently socketed. lol
 
Yeah, I've done it. It's a good fix, and about as good as you're going to get in terms of salvaging the old chip. Sometimes if the pin breaks off right at the plastic you have to file away some of the plastic IC body to get something to solder to.

-Ian
 
A dremel tool with a grinding stone will cut right through the black epoxy body of the chip and let you get right down to the metal lead for soldering.
 
I have done it many times on midway customs.

Okay... good... I'm happy I didn't imagine it was something people did.

Ordered a crap ton of machined sockets, hopefully that'll last me long enough to take care of my PP boards atleast... maybe a little Galaga too.
 
I just use regular dual wipes. Make sure you get the ones that dont have the bent legs on them. Straight ones are cheaper anyways.
 
I just use regular dual wipes. Make sure you get the ones that dont have the bent legs on them. Straight ones are cheaper anyways.

+1

I hate machine pin sockets. If you have a chip leg break off in them they are a pain to desolder. If you don't get that should on the pin desoldered perfectly you'll pull the pad and possibly the trace from the top of the board.
 
+1

I hate machine pin sockets. If you have a chip leg break off in them they are a pain to desolder. If you don't get that should on the pin desoldered perfectly you'll pull the pad and possibly the trace from the top of the board.

Uh... I'm pretty sure he's referring to soldering it to a machine pin socket, and then putting the chip and socket into ANOTHER socket on the board...

The machine pin socket just gives a sturdy new set of legs to the IC.
 
Ummm... well...

If he's doing Galaga boards, he'll want to replace all the shitty factory sockets. Those things are nothing but a source of intermittent problems.
 
Ummm... well...

If he's doing Galaga boards, he'll want to replace all the shitty factory sockets. Those things are nothing but a source of intermittent problems.

Yeah, I was talking about soldering the chips into a socket to give it new legs.

Yeah, I'll be working on my Galaga boards again later... right now I just want to get this Pole Position out of the kitchen.

I've already replaced 90% of the sockets on my Galaga boards, just have to order a few more... but right now, not a priority.
 
Uh... I'm pretty sure he's referring to soldering it to a machine pin socket, and then putting the chip and socket into ANOTHER socket on the board...

The machine pin socket just gives a sturdy new set of legs to the IC.


Thats the idea. Another reason not to use machine pin sockets for this is that it will ruin the socket your putting it in.
I agree on the galaga, replace ALL the sockets right from the start. If you dont they will haunt you later.
 
Thats the idea. Another reason not to use machine pin sockets for this is that it will ruin the socket your putting it in.
I agree on the galaga, replace ALL the sockets right from the start. If you dont they will haunt you later.

Luckily, the sockets for the custom chips on Pole Position (at least the 42 pin ones) are actually, surprisingly, decent sockets. So I'm not too worried... if they get ruined, I'll just replace them with my extra machine sockets... since I had to order 4 at a time, and only really needed 2... But, came out alright. I can solder better than this, I'm just paranoid about too much heat with (according to my budget) irreplaceable custom ICs.

socketed.jpg


Is there anything I can do to prevent further corrosion? I cleaned both sides of the pins, but I know it'll be back again someday... is there a dip or a spray I can use? I'm assuming electroplating them with gold is out of the question... ?

I'm sorry Riptor, I didn't mean to seem like I was ignoring your advice... I just have bad luck with normal sockets. The legs on them are just too friggin' sissy, bend twice and they snap... learned that when I was making my 2732/2532 adapter... I have to treat the thing like it's made of sugar (yeah... the Dozers on Fraggle Rock inspired that comment).
 
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I'm sorry Riptor, I didn't mean to seem like I was ignoring your advice... I just have bad luck with normal sockets.

Just be aware that the machine pin legs are going to stretch the sockets out and wont be any good for anything except the machine pins. Even the machine pins will loose connection if you remove them and reinstall since the socket will have lost all its spring.
 
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