Tutorial: Pressing a Diode

I personally didn't find it particularly easy to find specific information in one place for using a diode press by Flaminpyro or any similar Aixiz spec press so I decided to make a little tutorial.

Here are a couple suppliers of such a press:
Flaminpyro
Survival Laser
Clif

First off, here is a parts list and a corresponding picture:
1: Press
2: Threaded Diode Module Holder
3: Diode
4: Diode Module



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To press a diode you first screw the diode module(4) into the threaded module holder(2) to form unit 5. You will also need to place the diode(3) into the Press(1) with the pins and/or leads facing down into the hole inside the press to form unit 6.



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To press the diode you need to slide unit 5 onto unit 6 while keeping the diode in position. Take extreme care to make sure the diode doesnt get bumped out of its centered position by looking down inside the diode module(4) as you slide the units together. If you are working with a bare unsoldered diode I would suggest keeping unit 6 facing upwards(as shown in the previous picture) so the diode doesnt fall out while you slide the units together. You should end up with something looking like this:



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Personally I like to use a pair of pliers to press my diode as pictured here (take note that this picture is the assembled press without a diode inside making it fit flush). Also, something to think about is if you decide to use a copper diode module(4) it is quite softer and can be bent or gouged in the pressing process so I suggest putting a thin piece of plastic or wood between it and the pliers/vice during pressing.



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You may also use a full sized vice to press your diode but it will be easier to overpress and damage the diode and or the press. Also take note of how the press is not fully flush. Even after pressing the diode you will not get it flush.



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When you press the diode apply slow pressure but realize it will take a slight force to press it in. Your goal is to sink the diode in past the edge of the module so its seated as far as it can go down and is actually a little recessed. If you are using pliers you will feel the press start to push the diode in and then it will stop. It is bad to under press the diode because it will not get proper heatsinking but you can damage the diode if you overpress it so take care in using minimal pressure to sink it all the way down. When the diode stops pressing in further you may want to apply the tiniest extra force to assure that the diode went as far in as possible. This picture gives a good side cutout view of what is happening and what you want. In the picture the diode(3) is gold with light grey and the diode module(4) is darker grey.



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Once you have the diode pressed you pull the units apart and you will see that the diode(3) stays inside the diode module(4). You can then unscrew the diode module(4) from the threaded module holder(2) and verify that the diode is correctly recessed. If you see that it is not you can reassemble and continue to press as needed. Your result will look something like this last picture:



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Credit for pictures goes to DTR and to Garoq. I hope you found this useful.

Nice tut.:beer:

Way to go, I have not seen any one make a tutorial like this one before, :gj:

That's a great tutorial and very clear, should help out many people! Thanks for posting!

Thanks guys. I spent a good little chunk of time trying to be as specific and clear as I could. I may have more tutorials on the way as the need arises

Nice tutorial! Just one comment though, it is easier and safer in my opinion to use a vice. With a pair of pliers it is very easy to slip and do some damage, especially when using the non-threaded copper modules from the GB. Pliers also move in an arc rather than straight, which can also be problematic as the diode may not go in completely straight. With a vice, provided you've lined everything up and dont go crazy, you have a lot more control. :beer:

grainde said:

Nice tutorial! Just one comment though, it is easier and safer in my opinion to use a vice. With a pair of pliers it is very easy to slip and do some damage, especially when using the non-threaded copper modules from the GB. Pliers also move in an arc rather than straight, which can also be problematic as the diode may not go in completely straight. With a vice, provided you've lined everything up and dont go crazy, you have a lot more control. :beer:

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This press is designed to be used with the rear threading on modules. I don't suggest using it with modules that done have it as it will slice off the pins if it slips. The threads hold the back half guide in place to keep that from happening. If you are using it the way it was designed to be used you can use the pliers with no issue. I do put a flat piece of metal over the top of the module to keep ti from marring the module top.

grainde said:

Nice tutorial! Just one comment though, it is easier and safer in my opinion to use a vice. With a pair of pliers it is very easy to slip and do some damage, especially when using the non-threaded copper modules from the GB. Pliers also move in an arc rather than straight, which can also be problematic as the diode may not go in completely straight. With a vice, provided you've lined everything up and dont go crazy, you have a lot more control. :beer:

Click to expand...

I agree that a vice would work better for a non-threaded module. As for the pliers moving in an arc, I think the key is using a pair that are large enough that when you have everything lined up the pliers are opened to a point where their movement leaves them almost flat against the press. I see how using a smaller pair could potentially cause problems since the jaws would be at an angle but the press I received from Jeff is snug enough that I don't believe it would be effected much by uneven pressing.

I've had great luck with an old brake cable tensioner off a peddle bike (just a hollow bolt that just happens to be the perfect dia.) and a small c-clamp. Cheap but effective.

originalbigT said:

I've had great luck with an old brake cable tensioner off a peddle bike (just a hollow bolt that just happens to be the perfect dia.) and a small c-clamp. Cheap but effective.

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Sounds legit. If it works for you then more power to ya. I'm just thinking a lot of new people might be more into a more secure way of doing it seeing as how expensive diodes are. Its worth it to not jack up a diode IMO.

Well put. I agree that it is ALWAYS better to do things the safe way. I should have clarified that this wasn't a suggestion, simply me sharing how I do this. I will be machining a proper press from now on though. This way looks far less nerve racking. I look forward to more tutorials. Maybe one on soldering. That's a point of frustration for every beginner.

originalbigT said:

I've had great luck with an old brake cable tensioner off a peddle bike (just a hollow bolt that just happens to be the perfect dia.) and a small c-clamp. Cheap but effective.

Click to expand...

Thats why I was mentioning that a vice should probably be the first option. Many here will read the tutorial and wont have the tools, or for some reason (ie Cu modules), they wont be able to use them properly. So they'll improvise and then think that it'll be better to use pliers, because they dont want to risk over pressing the diode...

Anyway thanks again for the tutorial, Im sure its going to save many diodes! :beer:

grainde said:

Thats why I was mentioning that a vice should probably be the first option. Many here will read the tutorial and wont have the tools, or for some reason (ie Cu modules), they wont be able to use them properly. So they'll improvise and then think that it'll be better to use pliers, because they dont want to risk over pressing the diode...

Anyway thanks again for the tutorial, Im sure its going to save many diodes! :beer:

Click to expand...

My goal with this tutorial was also to show new people the tools they should get for pressing diodes too. Hopefully there won't be any diode deaths from people using improvised tools trying to follow my tutorial XD

Honestly, ~$15 for a press and ~$5-10 for pliers off amazon and you can have a nearly 100% success rate of pressing diodes... where can you go wrong?

I am thinking of making a tutorial for fully assembling a laser but I am slightly scared that it could allow a major noobie to make a class IV laser and then hurt themselves on it since they haven't read around on here long enough... goggles children... goggles.

edit:that sig of yours makes me wonder...

edit2: Meh, just looked at their other posts. Its a spam bot.

Does this work with every size of diode(specifically a 9mm)?

EDIT: I just realized the kryton I will be getting from the GB will be a pressfit design. Is the process any different?

Woah !!!! this tutorial is better than I thought. I used to remove that red little thing from the diode pins first, then push it in the module. And believe me it wasnt THAT easy to remove the red thingy. Following this tutorial I noticed you press the diode with the red thing IN the diode presser, and then it just stays inside the diode presser after you are done pressing the diode. Quite neat! Thanks