Using Self made Lego tools for working with diodes

[Giannis_TDM]

Hello Dear lpf!, Yesterday I was running trough my staff in the basement and found a pleasant surprise! My 8kg Lego bucket that made up 70% of my childhood.
I searched for a bit and I found 2 mechanical pistons they work in a simple way you turn their input shaft and they extend with much greater force, right this moment my 10 yr old brain came back with this though" I really want a vise for working with diodes but I cant afford one right now What if I made one out of Legos?" After about 3 hrs I came up with this:

https://imgur.com/a/UKkleGZ

It works Beautifully with no backlash and today i made some small upgrades to it biggest one being to increase the working area to 42mm enough to press in diodes!

https://imgur.com/ymwCdUA

Then after that I made myself some helping hands for holding diodes!

https://imgur.com/WEdL39D

After all that I realized with my diy tools I can press diodes hold the axiz module with the vise and the driver with the helping hand for soldering!

https://imgur.com/8itnze4

Finally some more structural upgrades to eliminate the bending of the back wall:

https://imgur.com/PzZ6vun

Should I add that this is actually better for diodes because hard plastic inst at all conductive.

 

[Giannis_TDM]

Forgot to mention I used a Dead diode and driver for the demo also should I provide building instructions somewhere? The ppl at styro suggested I do but I don't think anyone will be interested

 

[BowtieGuy]

Nice job of improvising to use the things you have on hand to solve a problem!

I think your diode press vice is a great idea as long as the parts don't flex too much; you want to make sure the diode is pressed in to the module completely and squarely.

 

[CRX]

Brought a smile

 

[paul1598419]

I use a very long pair of channel locks to press my diodes into modules. They are ~24 inches long and have worked very well for me with many dozens of diodes over the years. First got the idea from Jordan, DTR. Can't remember exactly who I purchased them from as it has been several years now. I adhered a flat piece of steel to the top serrated contact spot as I use mostly copper modules and there are very soft.

 

[Giannis_TDM]

Hey Paul after doing some upgrades to the gearbox I've noticed that it has enough force to press diodes but the diy press sleeve that I have just doesn't cut it. So have any cheap diodes that i could use for testing in mind? and also any other way to construct a diy diode press sleeve?. Many thanks in advance

 

[paul1598419]

The least expensive ones are red. The ML101U29 is likely the cheapest. These are open can diodes, but that shouldn't make a difference. They are good for ~200 mW. You can also get some harvested A140s and M140s pretty cheaply. Those should be good for powers ~1.6 watts to 2 watts.

 

[Giannis_TDM]

I guessed so, The mitsu ones are really cheap on eBay got any ideas on constructing a diy 5.6mm sleeve? Forgot to pack one in the dtr order.

 

[paul1598419]

You can likely get by using a Chinese nickel plated brass one. If you buy a few you can get them for as little as $2.00 each. You'll need TO-18 case ones for the Mits red. You really can't make your own unless you can machine them. That is a lot of work for something that costs so little.

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi G,
Great job for thinking this.. legos or not this came out awesome. 100 points for you and a gold star buddy.
Rich

 

[Giannis_TDM]

Hi G,
Great job for thinking this.. legos or not this came out awesome. 100 points for you and a gold star buddy.
Rich

Aw thank you!

You can likely get by using a Chinese nickel plated brass one. If you buy a few you can get them for as little as $2.00 each. You'll need TO-18 case ones for the Mits red. You really can't make your own unless you can machine them. That is a lot of work for something that costs so little.

Yea ill get that and a few 3$ mitsu diodes to try on. This might sound like a no-no but hear me out I've figured out a way to press diodes with a small wood-working hammer. And Ive got kinda of a sleeve to press the diode

https://imgur.com/95JlJGU

I have tried it with dead diodes and I have observed 0 additional damage. Do you think it will work? I don't wanna kill a single mode 638 and a 505.

 

[GSS]

If it works then it's not a no no
You should get your self a C clamp if you don't have yet. Any junk draw you might have is your best friend and can be loaded with stuff that might help.
Metal tubing is used in tons of stuff around the house in different sizes.. What ever it takes Giannis..

 

[BowtieGuy]

Aw thank you!

Yea ill get that and a few 3$ mitsu diodes to try on. This might sound like a no-no but hear me out I've figured out a way to press diodes with a small wood-working hammer. And Ive got kinda of a sleeve to press the diode

I have tried it with dead diodes and I have observed 0 additional damage. Do you think it will work? I don't wanna kill a single mode 638 and a 505.

I think that anything that fits your diode (sockets, tubing, plumbing fittings etc.) and works to press your diodes in is a win, but I'd definitely be very afraid of using a hammer, any kind of hammer, on a diode, I believe that the jarring force may damage a good diode; a steady press from a vice, pliers, or small press is the best way to go.

 

[Giannis_TDM]

If it works then it's not a no no
You should get your self a C clamp if you don't have yet. Any junk draw you might have is your best friend and can be loaded with stuff that might help.
Metal tubing is used in tons of stuff around the house in different sizes.. What ever it takes Giannis..

I think that anything that fits your diode (sockets, tubing, plumbing fittings etc.) and works to press your diodes in is a win, but I'd definitely be very afraid of using a hammer, any kind of hammer, on a diode, I believe that the jarring force may damage a good diode; a steady press from a vice, pliers, or small press is the best way to go.

I Beg to differ: (PS: don't take the video srsly its intended to be a joke the diode was an already dead ir and I would never do this to a working diode)

 

[RedCowboy]

WOW what an informative video, that will enhance the wisdom of the kids buying the million watt " Military " lasers for 12 dollars from China.

 

[BowtieGuy]

Red, I think I'm finally ready for a "Big Boy", although I think I'm going for the 5000MW version, I don't want to risk leaving anything unmelted!