@alexpikkert wrote: The grey bitsnaps are very handy when you want to design and use your own bits in combination with existing bits.
Also when you damage a bit these grey bitsnaps can be used for repair. (see the last item).. [//discuss.littlebits.cc/uploads/default/optimized/2X/9/9ac4160a9bb10ad02f31a62b86f2ee6abc327949_1_390x257.
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pcb close.
JPG1200x795 272 KB The perfboard:
A standard 0.1” perf board with loney circular copper soldering islands can be used. whether you want to make your domestic made bit with the same dimensions as the existing bits,first pick one of the possible designs. There are a few different dimensions, for example: small (the latch bit), or medium (the oscillator) or large (the sequencer). The only tools I used to make this perfboard part are a jigsaw and a small file. Remove a rectangular part from each corner with the following dimensions:
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perfboard dimensions.jpg52x984 59.1 KB The bitsnaps must be firmly secured on the perfboard,execute not make the board edges too small. whether they are too small, the bitsnap will still wriggle after soldering.
Mechanical connection:
The two plastic pins left and right of the three electrical connections are used for mechanical fixation of the bitsnap on the perfboard after soldering. Just melt them with your soldering iron into the perfboard holes.
These two plastic pins are a bit thicker than the inner dimensions of the perfboard holes, and so I used a small drill with a power tool to enlarge these holes a little.
I found that the plastic pins of the grey output bitsnap are NOT in line with the connections,and those from the input grey bitsnap are in line:
See this picture: (the top bit is the output bit and the lower one is the input bit).
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bitsnap closeup.
JPG1200x795 214 KB The copper circular islands from the perfboard are rather small and can easily be separated from the board during soldering.
To avoid this and to make a more secure connection, I added an additional wire connection in front of each soldering point:
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Bitsnap wire.jpg35x582 28.2 KB Repairing a normal bit:
Once upon a time I left a bit on the floor and ran over it with my chair. [/images/emoji/apple/scream.png?v=0]
Both bitsnaps were totally bent and partly separated and the electrical connections were pulled off the board. I removed the damaged parts and replaced them with grey bitsnaps.
The through gap soldering connections of the board were not damaged and after removing the original solder with a vacuum desoldering tool I could easily mount the grey bitsnaps:
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slide dimmer repair.
JPG1200x795 181 KB Last note on my adventure:
It is a real challenge to remove a grey bitsnap once it is mounted on a perfboard.
I could not execute this rapid/fast enough, and the bitsnap started to melt and one of connections was pulled out and the small spring mounted connection fell apart so the whole part became useless.
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Bitsnap solder.
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