For the edge connectors that are commonly found on Atari
PCBs.. how do I go about popping the split pins out to repin the
edge connector?
Is there a special tool I should use?
Thanks,
Mike
There are usually tools for about everything.
For these, it depends on who the manufacturer is and which connector series it is... and when it was made by them.
I know little about the AMP variety of edge connectors... but am quite familiar with Molex version.
Molex has several versions of edge connectors but the most versions of these connectors all work same way. Push a small 'tool' in from the end to bend the contacts tang back into the contact's body, then pull wire straight back.
Proper extraction tool is -extremely- expensive for what you get...unfortunately. Some people make their own which tends to save quite a bit of moolah.
What you need for these is the Molex 11-03-0016 extraction tool. There are other nearly identical varieties out there that cost considerably less. Two examples being Molex 11-03-0003 and Waldom W-HT-1884. Although these two cost less, don't waste your time or money on them. They are both slightly too wide to fit into the narrow slot on the face of the Molex plugs -- they're useless unless you modify them with a bench grinder to fit.
If buying somebody's tool from a website and they don't have a specific part number listed then -ask-. You don't want to buy the wrong one.
I plan on having a writeup covering these on my website when/if I find the time.
Ed