Transistor Socketing and heat shrink tube

[Drlufk00]

If you are socketing transistors on a build, does the general consensus seem to be that once you settle on a pair to remove the sockets and solder in the chosen transistors? Does this help improve the circuit in any way? Desoldering is not a strong suit of mine and I avoid it at all costs. Also, I’ve seen several build photos where the legs of germanium or silicon transistors have shrink tube on them above the socket/pcb portion. Transistors are notorious for not liking too much heat, how do people accomplish this without damaging the transistors (Ge especially). Use a heat sink?

 

[Diynot]

Sockets can become unreliable. With multiple transistor switch outs the sockets can become loose and you run the risk of the transistor falling out of the socket down the road. As far as heat shrink I have never applied heat to the shrink wrap, I have some really small stuff and it’s really just there to prevent the legs from contacting each other especially if you have to twist them to match a pinout.

 

[lowpitch]

It's more to prevent the transistor from falling out of the socket. I've soldered transistors directly into their sockets before when I couldn't be arsed to remove the socket. It's fine and doesn't require much heat and solder.

 

[gonzo]

Hot glue gun. They'll stay put. I've had them pop out right before shows. I usually avoid the sockets for transistors nowadays unless it's something I might swap out down the road.

 

[Erik S]

Transistors are notorious for not liking too much heat

I thought that too when I started, and it was one of my excuses for using transistor sockets.

I've seen that advice repeated on the internet, but never heard from anyone who actually cooked a transistor by overheating.

I have personally had issues with transistors making intermittent contact in their sockets, and seen others dealing with that problem.

 

[AmplifiedPartsTom]

Is it maybe wire insulation you're seeing on the legs rather than heat shrink? You see that in a decent number of germanium builds because it's what Sola Sound did. This is a blackstrap electrik build pictured, but it's built in that style.



I just strip that length of insulation off the end of a wire spool and slide it over the legs.

 

[jimilee]

I solder tranny to the socket, but only one leg and I do it quick.

 

[Drlufk00]

So any tips to desoldering the sockets once I settle on a transistor combo? Unfortunately I don’t have a breadboard so all my testing will be done in the actual circuit. I am always afraid I am applying too much heat when I reflow the joint to use my solder sucker.

 

[Feral Feline]

I solder tranny to the socket, but only one leg and I do it quick.

So any tips to desoldering the sockets once I settle on a transistor combo? Unfortunately I don’t have a breadboard so all my testing will be done in the actual circuit. I am always afraid I am applying too much heat when I reflow the joint to use my solder sucker.

Yeah, don't desolder the sockets, just solder in the transistor legs into the socket.

Also, get ahold of scrap wire that you can then steal the sheathing from, slide it over the long-legs of Ge trans etc instead of heatshrink, or just leave the heatshrink loose — so long as the length of the lead is covered and cannot make contact with other components to short out — job done.

 

[Nostradoomus]

I have a knife tip for my iron that spans the 3 legs of the socket. Heat it up and smack it on the table quickly, works like a charm.

 

[Alan W]

I typically do a light tinning of the transistor leads, makes them a more snug fit into the sockets. And yeah, if I need to cross leads, I’ll use stripped insulation.

 

[eatkinola]

Also, get ahold of scrap wire that you can then steal the sheathing from, slide it over the long-legs of Ge trans etc

^^^ This works very well. Silicone sheathing from flexible stranded wire tolerates heat much better than plastic sheathing or shrink wrap.

 

[CheapSuitG]

Duct tape it in, adds to the mojo.

And make sure it is "Duct" tape and not the counterfeit "Duck" tape.

 

[Feral Feline]

Don't forget to goop the entire PCB in black epoxy-resin when you're done.

 

[Guardians of the analog]

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