13 Feb
2017
13 Feb
'17
6:45 p.m.
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
Thanks!
- Earl
13 Feb
13 Feb
6:59 p.m.
On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 6:45 PM, Earl Evans <earl at retrobits.com> wrote:
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
Thanks!
- Earl
alligator clips?
7:04 p.m.
On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 3:59 PM, william degnan <billdegnan at gmail.com>
wrote:
alligator clips?
?At least in my case, the spacing seemed too tight for alligator clips.
There are components surrounding the wire-wrap posts, so the clips don't
lay down well. Also, you can't have the clips pointing up, because then
there isn't enough top-clearance for the QBUS board in the slot above.?
Maybe there's another type of clip I could use, or a different technique?
7:17 p.m.
On 14/02/17 00:04, Earl Evans wrote:
On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 3:59 PM, william degnan
<billdegnan at gmail.com>
wrote:
Hand operated wirewrap tools seem to be ~ ?10 new on ebay in the UK.
I assume they are similarly cheap in the US.
If you try some alternative technique don't you risk ending up with
stray wires in powered equipment?
Antonio
--
Antonio Carlini
arcarlini at iee.org
alligator clips?
?At least in my case, the spacing seemed too tight for alligator clips.
There are components surrounding the wire-wrap posts, so the clips don't
lay down well. Also, you can't have the clips pointing up, because then
there isn't enough top-clearance for the QBUS board in the slot above.?
Maybe there's another type of clip I could use, or a different technique?
7:22 p.m.
On 2/13/2017 7:04 PM, Earl Evans wrote:
On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 3:59 PM, william
degnan<billdegnan at gmail.com>
wrote:
No, you don't use clips. You wire wrap them, as they are designed for.
What exactly is the challenge with doing that?
alligator clips?
?At least in my case, the spacing seemed too tight for alligator clips.
There are components surrounding the wire-wrap posts, so the clips don't
lay down well. Also, you can't have the clips pointing up, because then
there isn't enough top-clearance for the QBUS board in the slot above.?
Maybe there's another type of clip I could use, or a different technique? 
10:33 p.m.
You can use the solderless board prototype board jumpers, sold at Frys and elsewhere.
They come in male and female, I assume (not being a dec guy) that these are standard
square wire wrap posts...
________________________________
From: cctech <cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org> on behalf of william degnan
<billdegnan at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 3:59 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Changing wire-wrap configurations on DEC circuit boards
On Mon, Feb 13, 2017 at 6:45 PM, Earl Evans <earl at retrobits.com> wrote:
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
Thanks!
- Earl
alligator clips?
7:09 p.m.
________________________________________
From: cctech [cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] on behalf of Earl Evans [earl at
retrobits.com]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:45 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only
Subject: Changing wire-wrap configurations on DEC circuit boards
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
______________________________________________
I have a hlf dozen wirewrap tools laying around. I have found little if any
difference in them. Amazon has them for $10 to about $30 dollars. If it
matches the size wire your using the Radio Shack works fine for me.
bill
9:46 p.m.
On 2/13/2017 4:09 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
________________________________________
From: cctech [cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] on behalf of Earl Evans [earl at
retrobits.com]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:45 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only
Subject: Changing wire-wrap configurations on DEC circuit boards
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
______________________________________________
I have a hlf dozen wirewrap tools laying around. I have found little if any
difference in them. Amazon has them for $10 to about $30 dollars. If it
matches the size wire your using the Radio Shack works fine for me.
bill
Takes a bit of time for these, but I'd try for one recommended by Bill
or one of these:
New-OEM-Wire-Wrap-Strip-Unwrap-Tool-Hand-Manual-Winding-Rods-For-WSU-30M-AWG-30-/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262798514618
30 gauge, so if you want to use the stripper, that size wire will be
needed. They used to have
them with semi safe to use strippers for other sizes. If you are really
worried, get NoNics strippers
if you can find them.
Thanks
Jim
14 Feb
14 Feb
2:06 a.m.
That OK tool works great, and you can see it has the wire stripper in the handle.
One end is the unwrap, put it on the post and twist counter clockwise.
Clockwise is the wrap direction.
You strip 1 1/2 inch, shove the wire into the notch on the wrap end, place on post and
twist.
________________________________
From: cctech <cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org> on behalf of jim stephens
<jwsmail at jwsss.com>
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:46 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: Changing wire-wrap configurations on DEC circuit boards
On 2/13/2017 4:09 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
________________________________________
From: cctech [cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] on behalf of Earl Evans [earl at
retrobits.com]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 6:45 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts Only
Subject: Changing wire-wrap configurations on DEC circuit boards
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
______________________________________________
I have a hlf dozen wirewrap tools laying around. I have found little if any
difference in them. Amazon has them for $10 to about $30 dollars. If it
matches the size wire your using the Radio Shack works fine for me.
bill
Takes a bit of time for these, but I'd try for one recommended by Bill
or one of these:
New-OEM-Wire-Wrap-Strip-Unwrap-Tool-Hand-Manual-Winding-Rods-For-WSU-30M-AWG-30-/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262798514618
[http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mkz0FhjoHWFieuaD2tEr4ZA.jpg]<http…
New OEM Wire Wrap Strip Unwrap Tool Hand Manual Winding Rods For WSU-30M AWG
30<http://www.ebay.com/itm/262798514618>
www.ebay.com
New OEM Wire Wrap Strip Unwrap Tool Hand Manual Winding Rods For WSU-30M AWG 30 in
Business & Industrial, Electrical & Test Equipment, Connectors, Switches &
Wire, Wire & Cable, Hookup & Lead Wire | eBay
30 gauge, so if you want to use the stripper, that size wire will be
needed. They used to have
them with semi safe to use strippers for other sizes. If you are really
worried, get NoNics strippers
if you can find them.
Thanks
Jim
![http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mkz0FhjoHWFieuaD2tEr4ZA.jpg]<http…](http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mkz0FhjoHWFieuaD2tEr4ZA.jpg]%3Chttp://www.ebay.com/itm/262798514618%3E){kind=link}
13 Feb
13 Feb
8:29 p.m.
On 02/13/2017 06:45 PM, Earl Evans wrote:
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
Thanks!
- Earl
I use wirewrap as the spacing and distance between boards does not
permit anything else.
OK too makes a good simple hand tool and more elaborate ones as needed.
Its worth the
tool even if you go with the simple hand tool that looks sorta like a
screwdriver.
Keep in mind with Qbus unless you insert grant cards you can't double
space boards.
I only have 8 Qbus systems from LSI-11 through MicroVAX.
Allison
8:32 p.m.
On Feb 13, 2017, at 8:29 PM, allison <ajp166 at
verizon.net> wrote:
...
I use wirewrap as the spacing and distance between boards does not
permit anything else.
OK too makes a good simple hand tool and more elaborate ones as needed.
I have a hand tool from OK Tools (looks a bit like a coil alignment tool). It works fine.
It also has a wire strip blade built into the handle, which is by far the best tool for
stripping wrap wire. (Typical wire strippers don't handle wire that thin, and the tip
of a soldering iron won't do the job either because the insulation is heat
resistant.)
paul
14 Feb
14 Feb
2:24 a.m.
On 02/13/2017 05:32 PM, Paul Koning wrote:
I have a hand tool from OK Tools (looks a bit like a
coil alignment
tool). It works fine. It also has a wire strip blade built into
the handle, which is by far the best tool for stripping wrap wire.
(Typical wire strippers don't handle wire that thin, and the tip of
a soldering iron won't do the job either because the insulation is
heat resistant.)
Way back when Fry's had just opened in Sunnyvale, I was told about a
tool made by Augat, called "Micro Strip". I've seen them with the Utica
and Tyco brands also. It's sold by "Micro Strip" now.
http://micro-strip.com/awg-fine-wire.html
You can't go wrong with this tool--in all the years I've used it, I have
never nicked an AWG 30 wire. It also does a bang-up job with stripping
fiber jackets. When wire-wrapping, it has a built-in adjustable stop
so that you always strip off a precise amount of insulation.
I can't recommend it highly enough.
--Chuck
3:57 a.m.
On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 1:32 AM, Paul Koning <paulkoning at comcast.net> wrote:
I have a hand tool from OK Tools (looks a bit like a
coil alignment tool).
Ditto. Wrap one end, unwrap the other. I've never bothered to get a more
advanced wire wrap tool. I even made a couple of DEC backplanes using
it.
It works fine. It also has a wire strip blade built
into the handle, which is
by far the best tool for stripping wrap wire. (Typical wire strippers don't
handle wire that thin, and the tip of a soldering iron won't do the job either
because the insulation is heat resistant.)
But I will disagree with you there. The best tool in my experience is a hand
rotary wire stripper (which spins a pair of blades around the wire, doing a very
clean cut through the insulation. A close second is the little hand stripper
made by CK tools, designed for wire wrap wire.
Incidentally, since the insulation is heat-resistant and the wire takes solder
very easily, I find wire wrap wire to be the best thing (soldered in place) to
repair or modify PCBs.
-tony
13 Feb
13 Feb
9:33 p.m.
On Feb 13, 2017, at 7:29 PM, allison <ajp166 at
verizon.net> wrote:
On 02/13/2017 06:45 PM, Earl Evans wrote:
There are two common types of wirewrap - Regular and Modified.
The ?modified? wirewrap tool leaves an insulated turn at the start of
the wrap. It?s my preference when wire-wrapping 30 gauge or
if you run the wires off board. Suggest 24 or 26 gauge for the latter.
Make sure you match the wire and tool.
Jerry
Hi there,
I've got a couple of DEC QBUS boards (including a quad SLU) for which
configuration is set by wire-wrap jumpers. I don't have a wire-wrap tool,
and have found that trying this by hand without one is not workable.
Has anyone come up with a clever way to permit reconfiguration of these
boards without semi-permanent changes? Or, alternatively, what wire-wrap
tool would you recommend?
Thanks!
- Earl
I use wirewrap as the spacing and distance between boards does not
permit anything else.
OK too makes a good simple hand tool and more elaborate ones as needed.
Its worth the
tool even if you go with the simple hand tool that looks sorta like a
screwdriver.
Keep in mind with Qbus unless you insert grant cards you can't double
space boards.
I only have 8 Qbus systems from LSI-11 through MicroVAX.
Allison 
14 Feb
14 Feb
11:25 a.m.
If the connections you want to make are on 0.1" spacing,
there are jumper shunts that will short adjacent posts.
These are little plastic blocks with metal springy fingers
inside. You can probably find some on old PC components.
If you need to short posts that are more than 0.1" apart,
then they won't work.
Jon
2721
days inactive
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15 comments
14 participants
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a.carlini＠ntlworld.com -
ajp166＠verizon.net -
ard.p850ug1＠gmail.com -
bill.gunshannon＠hotmail.com -
billdegnan＠gmail.com -
cclist＠sydex.com -
earl＠retrobits.com -
elson＠pico-systems.com -
js＠cimmeri.com -
jsw＠ieee.org -
jwsmail＠jwsss.com -
Michael＠jongleur.co.uk -
paulkoning＠comcast.net -
rdawson16＠hotmail.com