A new technique

[turbolover]

Rather than directly soldering one part to another I am making my own connectors as I believe it would make it easier to put together inside the case as well as take apart. I am using IC sockets to do it (they plug into each other and take up little space as well as beign inexpensive). I put a little solder in each of the female sockets, then a little on each wire to make it a little easier to get the job done. For the other IC solder on the wire then touch wire to IC socket pin and apply iron to bond them. This is very time consuming but it may save time desoldering/resoldering components as wellas not having to worry about soldering parts together in the cramped confine of the case, rather get everything working outside the case, unhook the home made connectors, mount each part, reconnect (you get the idea).

[gannon]

Or you could just buy molex connectors that are designed for that kind of thing which is easier and less likely to go wrong.

[turbolover]

Which are also way more expensive, take up too much space, and do not have many connectors at that. (2 9 pin connectors equals $5 takes up as much space as the 60 pin connector I am making) Although I might use them for a smalle rpin set, it just would not do for making a detatchable cartridge slot.

[arfink]

Well, you could get some nice headers and crimp on ribbon cable connectors to use instead of molex. I have been thinking about doing something like that for a while. BTW, you can get headers from just about anywhere (except Radio Shack, which now only carries automotive fuses, cell phones, RC cars, and sterios- ahemm...)

[turbolover]

Where at? If you see on the blog I am using to document my construction. The connector I conceived wouldve been too messy and fragile to make it worth it, although Im sure it would have worked as one, just not a good one. My big problem is going to be stripping all those tiny ribbon cables. I went to radioshakc up street which is closing and got components super cheap, like 4-5 packs of butt connectors which are normally like close to $2 after tax a piece was $3 something after tax. Unfortunately the wire on the ribbon is so thin event he smallest ones wont do, I was thinking of stripping down further and bending the wire over itself effectively doubling it up so It will hold when crimped.

[arfink]

Well, you can get headers and crimp connectors and ribbon cable from Jameco. If you are aving a ground problem, just use a few extra wires for ground instead of one. I have had to do that before, especially with projects that connect to the parallel port of the PC, since you than have no choice but to use skiny wires. Good luck, BTW.