formatting Does anyone know if the connectors on the cables are still obtainable? Regards Rob

Thanks, I didn't know what the correct term was for this kind of connector. Regards Rob

cables in Yes, I realised after sending the email that I would really need the PCB side of things. I think there are kits for making one-off PCBs, so I could presumably use one of these. Still, I am a long way off being ready to start this project, but it is one I do eventually want to get round to. Regards Rob

On 28 Jun 2012 at 19:43, Tony Duell wrote: It wasn't my intention to use edge connectors on the project, but rather double-row headers. My reasoning was that header-equipped cables are easy to obtain, are more secure in their attachment (particularly if the receptacle has locking "ears") and are less costly to fab than a gold (alloy, if we're talking a good job) plated male edge connector, which also requires special PCB tooling. --Chuck

AS would I,certainyl for the prototype/experimatal version. Those headers are easy to get in both solder and wire-wrap versions and can be trically used on prototyping board. My only reservation is that a few -- a very few -- amchines use custom cabels that aren't actually ribbon cable and aren't straight-throuh. The obvious one being the Rainbow, I think. With those you can't modify the existing calbe to have header sockets on ti, and making up a repalcemetn cable is a little work (but a lot less tahn making the druive emulator). I guess once it's working _then_ you attend to such matters ;-) -tony

On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 3:57 PM, Rob Jarratt <robert.jarratt at ntlworld.com> wrote: As in a lot of situations using the proper tools makes the job much easier, although the proper tools can be crazy expensive if you buy them at new list prices. For assembling ribbon cables I picked up a 3M Scotchflex press setup this: 3316 Universal Press, $1976 3458 Locator Plate Riser Block, $735 3443-94 Locater Plate, $741 I forget how much I paid for this setup. Probably somewhere around $75-$100. My first attempts at building 50-conductor cables with header connectors on one end and card edge connectors on the other to interface between a Pertec tape drive and controller resulted in a few broken connectors before I gave up and bought a proper press. Ribbon cable is also expensive if you buy it at new list prices. I've bought new 100 foot boxes of 3M 1700 (rainbow twist), 3302 (rainbow straight), and 3365 (grey) on eBay at prices I considered reasonable per foot. If you only need to build a single cable that would be expensive. -Glen

The only time I've (recently) had connectors break when crimping them in the vice was when I accidentally bought cheap, cr*ppy connectors. I bougth some Farnell own-brand 50 way Microribbon plbus and had no end of trouble. When I foudn they also solde 3M oens (admittedly at 6 times the price [1]), I used those and had no further problems [1] The cheap oens were linekd from the 3M conencotr page, but not the reverse... -tony

On 29 Jun 2012 at 1:21, Pete Turnbull wrote: For those in the you-essay, JDR has a inexpensive hand tool: http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_73 252_-1 What's not shown is the accompanying plastic piece that, on one side has a groove to fit IDC edge connectors, and on the other side, a groove and keyway to fit header connectors. I have one and it works very well--the jaws are kept parallel throughout the "squeeze". The same tool can be had in the UK as eBay item 250960548725. Price is ?12.69 with free shipping. Note the yellow plastic piece. But if you must use a vise, a drill-press vise is easier to use and has smooth jaws. --Chuck

Basiclaly, yes. Use the 2-row header sockets (think of the conenctor that fits a 3.5" floppy drive) on the 'drive' end of the cables. As I said in my reply ot Chuck, there are a few machines where this is harder that normal, but it's a very few machines. If this ever ends up on a PCB , it might be worth having normal edge fingers so the unit is a drop-in repalcement for the drive, but get it working first :-) You do not neec the expensive press tools. I have never used htem. What you need is a small bench vice. You can crimp the edge conenctors, IDC sockets, D connectors, Microribbon connecotrs, etc with no extra tooling if you are careful. The only ones you will have problems with the the 'transistion connectors' which are designed ot crimp onto a cable and then be soldered ot a PCB, basically a way to 'peramnaently' fix a cable to a PCB. There are 2 types. Oen ahs 2 straight rows of pins on a 0.1" matrix. That oen is easy. Put it in a solderless plugblock breadboard, then crimp the lot in the idce. The breadboard acts as a die to prevent the pins gettign squished. The other type, thankfully rare, has a stagered arangement of pins. If you insist on using those, you backally have to drill a metal block to act as a die. But you are not likely to use those in this project. I think Farnell seel ribobn cable in farily short lengths (1m or so). It's not cheap, but it's a lot less to lay out than if you had to buy the complete reel. Also rememebr you can cut ribbon cable down (nick it between wires, then strip it apart. It's wasteful to always have to do that, but if you have some 40 way cable, it;'s not too wasteful to make 34 way from it (and the remaining 6 way bit gets used for power, panel switch/indicator, etc wiring :-)) -tony

On 29 Jun 2012 at 1:23, Tothwolf wrote: You can even purchase gold electroplating pens, but the layer of gold that's deposited is very thin and soft--not something you'd expect a lot of life on with a surface that encounters any wear. Gold for contacts is performed commercially in a multi-step process. --Chuck