I use a pair of small needle nose pliers that are spring loaded open.? They are my fingers for moving everything.

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Even when I’m on a roll, thinking I’ve got the circuit fully worked out in my head, I force myself to create a complete schematic before starting at the breadboard.? It’s amazing what you realize needs to be considered as you work through the schematic.

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Then as I build the circuit on the breadboard, I have a print out of the schematic laying right on the work space.? As I change a resistor value etc I can note the change right then with a pen, takes no time.? Then before finishing the work session I update the schematic file on the computer.? All my schematic files start with that day’s date.? That way I can always go back to the previous schematic if I have a real problem.? This makes for a lot of schematic files but hard disk space is cheap.?

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I also try to make some basic notes on the day’s work session.? Primarily this is to record my mind-set for the day’s work session.? What did I think I was doing, what did I learn, what were my reasons for a particular change.? That has been helpful when I come back to a project after a long period of time.

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I do check the value of every resistor and cap with my multi-meter before I insert it into the breadboard.? Sounds slow and it is, but I am always sure what is going on with this method. The color codes on many of the resistors I use don’t seem to be easily read anyway, so this insures accuracy.

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Just some thoughts.

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Dan Nicoson

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-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics_101@... [mailto:Electronics_101@...]On Behalf Of lcdpublishing
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 9:53 AM
To: Electronics_101@...
Subject: [Electronics_101] Re: Breadboards are coming my way - TIPS

?

Wow,

Keep these tips and pointer coming!? I need all the help I can get
to work with them (I don't like using them).

What is helping...

Modules when I can.? I am making them up as I need them. Slows down
the process overall, but much better in the long run.

Taking a bit more time on checking/rechecking, double checking etc.?
It's so easy to get messed up with a lot of wires and ICs.

What I have trouble with...

Loops on wires - I am getting to be a Klutz!? Which is a very bad
thing considering what I do for a living!? It seems as though if
there is a wire with a loop, or even a component with leads long
enough that can catch on something, it will!? All it takes is one
catch and I have a mess to deal with - very, VERY frustrating.

Keeping component lead from shorting out against other components
and leads.? I suspect that two things will help here.
1) Bigger boards allow for more room between components
2) Triming the leads of resistors, leds, caps, etc. before placing
on the breadboard. Right now I use them with stock lead lengths.

Fat fingers and pushing in those tiny wires - so often a wire or
lead would rather bend over than go into the hole.? Then there is
the problem of getting the fingers down in-between the components to
push in the wires and leads - I think I need to work more with
needle nose pliers and perhaps a larger board will give me a bit
more finger room.

Working backwards after the changes and taking the prototype from
the bread board and re-creating a circuit for the final build.? I
screwed up big time on the last two attempts at this.? To help with
that, this time I am working from a layout that is "ready for
printing".? Then, hopefully with a bit of dicipline, as I make
changes on the breadboard, I will also change the layout in the
software.

I am sure there are many other frustrations too that I have
experienced, but will try to remember them as I go along.? You guys
have all done this so many times, I am sure all the hassels I have
you have already solved many times over :-)

Chris