Six Pin Headaches

usblipitor · Post by **usblipitor** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:13 pm

I had a 72 pin header, and wished to break it into smaller, 6 pin headers. I have tried two plyers and now I have a 66 pin header.

Before I create a 60 pin header, might anyone have a few words of wisdom for me?

Thank you all in advance!
-Steve

BobF · Post by **BobF** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:31 pm

If I understood you right you are cutting a 72 pin IDE connector into 6 pin connectors for JP1 interface cables?
The easiest way i did mine was to take a good hacksaw blade and use just the blade ( not installed in the saw). Cut the IDE connector with the blade and hold it with your hands or wrap it with a rag and put it in a vise. If you need to make as many 6 pin connectors as you can, then the vise option may not be good as you can damage the rest of the IDE connector. You will need to file the edges of the six pin connector when you are done to make it nice. I then put some epoxy on the edges and the ribbon cable to make mine strong. I have used my cable repeatedly without fail- Bob

kachaffeous · Post by **kachaffeous** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:35 pm

I just finished making my first JP1 cable. It won't win any beauty contest but it is functional.
To make my 6pin connecter I used a pvc pipe saw I had laying around. Just saw thru the 4 hole and it works pretty well.

usblipitor · Post by **usblipitor** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 10:25 pm

Those instructions work well for making a female 6-hole connector for the JP1 cable.

I am trying to make 6 pin headers (that eventually get soldered into remotes that may need them in the future). This is the piece that the JP1 cable will plug into. Some remotes (6012, 6131) come with a place on the PCB for an EEPROM and a 6pin header, but for some reason the nice folks at UEI/OFA decided to save a few pennies and not install them.

Rob (or anyone), how do you accomplish this trick? hacksaw blade? sharp teeth? heat vision?

Happy New Year Everyone!
-Steve

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 6:39 am

I've always used either a hobby saw blade (Xacto) or a pair of small diagonal cutting pliers. A good utility knife works, too.

Post by **The Robman** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:28 am

As you might imagine, I have to trim down 72 pin stips into little 6 pin stips ALOT! Personally, I just use a pair of wire cutters.

usblipitor · Post by **usblipitor** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:29 am

The Robman wrote:pair of wire cutters.

Is that the same as diagonal cutters?

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 7:32 am

Diagonal cutters are wire cutters that have the tapered jaws.

BobF · Post by **BobF** » Wed Dec 31, 2003 8:44 am

I have an exacto hobby saw and miter box that i bought as a set from a hobby place. It is used for cutting balsa wood for things like model airplanes. The saw is so thin and the teeth as so fine it would be perfect for the precision work you want to do. I would bet that you could almost cut the header between pins and still use both sides without waste! (you would have to try it to see).

I know Mark already mentioned this type of saw, but I thought I would confirm the idea!-Bob

Filebug · Post by **Filebug** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:29 am

Here are a few options.

Dremel with thin blade.
Use 2 needle nose pliers and either twist where you want it to break or try snapping them where you want it to break.

Or try one needle nose right on the inner 3rd pair of pins and make sure when you are holding it, hold the header right on the 4th pair of pins.

daveoram · Post by **daveoram** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 9:29 am

I find it was easier to physically pull out the IDC pins int the position where you cut. Almost any tool will then cut the connector which can be neatly filed down

Dave

Post by **The Robman** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 11:27 am

daveoram wrote:I find it was easier to physically pull out the IDC pins int the position where you cut. Almost any tool will then cut the connector which can be neatly filed down

Dave

Wow, that's really making things WAY harder that they need to be. Using the clippers shown below I can cut up a header strip as easy as cutting up paper.

jamesgammel · Post by **jamesgammel** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 11:33 am

looks like a mini bolt-cutter. Using it on fairly soft plastic it'll last a long time.

Jim

digitize · Post by **digitize** » Sat Jan 03, 2004 8:09 pm

I cut it like butter using a utility knife that I place on the stove burner a few minutes to heat up and then cut like butter.

HkyFrk · Post by **HkyFrk** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:20 am

Might be a good idea.... I used the jumpers from an old computer... the ones that go from the LED, Power, Reset etc.... to the motherboard. I glued them together and made a 6pin female connector. Doeas anyone see any problems with such a device?