I've got a simple project that uses just an atmega328 dip some and some smd leds on magnet wire. Right now I'm soldering the magnet wire directly to the dip chip which is standalone. I'd like a better, less permanent way to make connections, but keep a similar size. Has anyone run into this before and found a way to make solid, tiny, non-permanent connections?
You could look into 3mm LEDs, also quite small but have normal leads on them.
Sounds like a "solderless breadboard" to me.
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"Magnet wire" sounds like enamelled wire, which you need to clean carefully of the enamel (and "tin" it with solder; with many enamels "tinning" it will in fact melt off the enamel) in order to make reliable connections in such breadboards.
Magnet wire is usually really thin gage too, too small to make secure connections in solderless breadboard.
Wimpy magnets!
I know how to connect/tin/use the wire. I looked into a breadboard for the connections, but as it was stated earlier, the wire is too small to make a reliable connection. What I'm looking for is a really small connector that I can mount on a board that will accept one end of the wire. Maybe something with a spring that holds it in place.
For the project, the wire has to be able to be strung through very small holes by the user and then connected to the actual board/dip/connector.
I've looked all over and there don't seem to be any out there. That I can find anyways, which lead me to ask here.
Hi google
spring PCB connector
Tom.... 
justind000:
For the project, the wire has to be able to be strung through very small holes by the user and then connected to the actual board/dip/connector.
I've looked all over and there don't seem to be any out there. That I can find anyways, which lead me to ask here.
Would a ZIF socket work with your thin wire? I don't know how small you can get them.
don't buy a zif socket.
try looking up header pins 0.1 inch pitch
those are correct to go into the breadboard pictured by Paul__B and you could (!! with much fiddling!!) solder fine wire to each.
find small connectors at a RC shop very light as used in modell airplanes.
It appears the OP does not wish to attach connectors to the wires, as he wants to thread them through (rather small) holes and connect them without further soldering.
Paul__B:
It appears the OP does not wish to attach connectors to the wires, as he wants to thread them through (rather small) holes and connect them without further soldering.
Yes. That's what I understood. "Eye of a needle" type stuff. Hence my ZIF socket suggestion. I've also seen some tiny (1/2") alligator clips that could be soldered to a PCB. Again, I don't know if they will hold that gauge wire.
But, as the OP hasn't told us what gauge wire he's using, we're just wasting our time guessing.