Can anyone recommend a source of connectors that fit more tightly in regular breadboards than the widely used Dupont type please?
Or breadboads with slightly smaller holes than the popular types?
If you are referring to solderless breadboards, I’ve never had problems with the Dupont fit here.
Maybe your solderless breadboard is older and the spring pins have lost holding power.
These breadboards are quite inexpensive, they do not last forever, maybe buy some new ones.
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Single duponts are problematic. They tend to twist & then never fit right with little or no retention.
My solution is shrouds. These gang pins together, preventing rotation and allowing pin splaying to increase retention. Other benefits are easier mating, pin 1 id, and labeling area.
Download .stl files for free from:
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Having spent my entire life working in telecoms I use wire stripped from telephone cable, it's just right for breadboard contacts.
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My breadboards are maybe a couple of years old. Look like new. But obviously some holes are used for long periods, and it’s those that are too loose.
I’ll try that, but as it’s solid don’t you find its inflexibility a problem?
Yes, i find does help somewhat to use multiples to add more rigidity. But with sensitive circuits in which contact must be maintained consistently I’m still looking for either thicker pins or thinner holes. Or sockets that retain their holding power more reliably. The familiar breadboards I’m using are inexpensive: I’d happily pay a bit more if I can find a source.
I have an old breadboard that I steel good rows from to replace bad ones.
I usually replace the whole breadboard every 3 to 4 years.
Breadboard is ok for test, but hard wired works much better. Try shrouds, they make a HUGE difference.
Screw terminals rule!
I find the stiffness useful as I can bend into shape and make a neat layout. Also, not having ends of any kind crimped on means every wire can be cut to size, again making very neat layouts possible.
To that end,
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I’ve found that plugging male 0.025 square headers that have the same length on each side into the breadboard and then using female DuPonts to attach to those provides a pretty reliable connection.
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I saw off a chunk of male header and solder to it. Hot glue or RTV as a strain relief and for insulation. a dot of model paint on both connectors to indicate a mating pair and show orientation.
you can make a male pin a little larger by putting a thin coat of solder on it
Good points, I'll start stripping some of my ancient cable.
Did BT adopt a standard diameter?
No, depends on things like expected cable length and maximum permissible loop resistance.
If I could I'd measure some of what I have, but living in the UK and currently being on a ship about to dock in Port Stanley makes checking a bit difficult.
Nice tutorial. What is that wire stripper? I have several but not one like that.
However, I do it the lazy way!
That’s certainly up there in the “getting away from it all” league 
I’ll do some trial & error.
I’ve frequently had occasions when such symmetrical male headers would have been very handy. But (and I just briefly browsed again) I’ve not found a source?
Sound interesting. Not familiar with RTV. Wouldn’t heat shrink be neater? You ‘saw’ it? Mine are in a strip that just beak off.
These work pretty well for me.
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