breaking pins

[rdrive]

I try to be careful but after a few insertions it leaves a pin in the socket. I have bought about ten zx-24's an I have at least three with broken pins. I don't seem to have this problem with any other chips.are they to ridged or do i need glasses.

[dkinzer]

I don't seem to have this problem with any other chips.are they to ridged or do i need glasses.

The pins are supposed to be annealed to make them less brittle. They will, however, break off if they are flexed too much. What kind of socket are you using and how do you go about removing the ZX from the socket?

In situations calling for repeated insertion/removal some people will insert an IC like the ZX device in a machine pin socket (like those shown here). That way, the socket pins take the brunt of the wear and you can easily replace the socket if a pin breaks.

If you wish, we can replace the broken pins on your ZX devices - just send them back to us. Alternately, we can send you some replacement pins. To do the job yourself, you'll need a desoldering tool (aka a solder sucker) and a low wattage soldering iron. A 24-pin, 600 mil machine pin socket is useful for this operation to hold the replaced pins in alignment while they're soldered.

[rdrive]

That's good advise I'll try using sockets and i will send in the broken ones
thanks again

[coopecb1]

This is even easier on the pins:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9176
At $3.95, much cheaper than replacing the ZX.