Staking tool Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[adb1x1]

I'm restoring an E&L Instruments C.A.D.E.T. Dig/Analog electronics trainer (I use these for prototyping since power, etc is build in and it's a stable surface to work on). A few of the mini breadboard pieces needed to be replaced. Got a few and note they have 'staking' posts to secure them to a mounting platform. I'm not a big fan of this mounting method for something this small and often stressed. I thot about using a small dot of hot glue on the posts rather than trying to melt them down, but I'm not sure the bond will last very long.

Anyone aware of a small staking tool for this? I can find a few specialized variations, but nothing simple for this kind of thing. I've done it with a soldering iron in the past, but it seldom turns out very well (hard to know/control the temp) and leaves a less-than pleasant aroma in the area)

[adafruit_support_bill]

Can you post a photo? That might give us a better idea of what you have to work with there.

[adb1x1]

Here is one of the replacements (stock Adafruit pic). You can see the post on the side. One on the other side too of course.

[adafruit_support_bill]

I'm not a fan of hot-glue in general. It tends to let-go without warning. You might try a drop of high-viscosity cyanoacrylate.

It is also possible to friction weld plastics with a rotary tool. But I think it would be difficult to control on a small post like that.

[adafruit_support_mike]

You could use a piece of 1/4" steel or brass rod heated in a candle flame.

Obviously you wouldn't do that in production, but the metal will have enough thermal mass to melt the plastic. If you have the tools, you could drill a dimple in the end of the rod to form the top of a rivet.

The metal will cool down once it's out of the flame, making it less likely to burn the plastic.

[adb1x1]

Thank you for the suggestions. I had considered using a brass screw with a polished end (and maybe a small dimple;. just hard to tell at what point the heat is correct.

Looks like the original builder used a soldering iron to melt the posts. Unfortunately several of the post 'stakings' have failed.

If I can find flat washers small enough, I may try using an adhesive that isn't extremely hard to remove (if necessary), apply a little, and slide the washer down over the post.

I'd hoped to find a tip for my temp controlled iron, but any I've seen so far are for industrial use and priced accordingly, Not worth the cost for this situation.

Guess I could find a curved tip for the iron and file the end flat.

Anyway, it's amazing sometimes how something that should be so simple, requires way too much attention.