Somewhere cheap to buy a diode socket?

Anyone know somewhere cheap to get some LD 3 pin diode sockets? It's krazy when ya look around and find'm for 5$-10$ each just for a dang piece of plastic with 3 metal pins. The cheapest I've seen something close is from Digikey for about 2.54, but they are a non-stock item and you have to buy 100 and I don't have 254$ for frickin plastic sockets right now.

I'd like to have some type of socket mechanism to make changing diodes easier and so I don't have to solder directly to the diode and risk killing it with solder heat. You'd think they'd be available for like 30 cents each or something since they're soooooo dang simple.

The only problem with using the sockets is that the diode could come loose from the socket. If a momentary loss of contact occurs, you can short out your diode, and POOF it is gone...naturaly, it will be MUCH easier to replace, being in a socket and all....I have tested the transistor sockets - so if there is another type out there that works better, I do not know of it.

G !

Didn't think of the loss of connection issue, I'll have to remember that.
But are there any sockets around somewhere that can be had for <1$?

Shoof off a PM to SteveTexas.....He bought some, and knows where to get them !

Do you need the socket as a mechanical support, or only for the electrical connection? In the latter case, you can get strips of ic-pin sockets, and just cut of three 1-pin contacts from those. Solder them onto a small piece of experiment board and the proper positions, and you'll have a nice connector.

The ic sockets would have a better connection, I think too !

Skram0 said:

Didn't think of the loss of connection issue, I'll have to remember that.
But are there any sockets around somewhere that can be had for <1$?

Click to expand...

Well I found them but the company has a minimum order of $10.00. Maybe you will see something else you can use in addition to the socket.

http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p85.htm

Hey, cool site Gazoo, thanks. Nice looking heatsinks.