Where to find a particular wire connector

[mordechai]

I am starting to build up a Valvecaster project and want to use one of those plastic connectors to connect the pins of the 12AU7 tube to the board with ribbon wire.  They usually look like slightly off-white sockets mounted to pads on the PCB or stripboard, which accepts a "partner" socket where the leads of the wires are situated.  It looks something like this:



What are these devices actually called, and can anyone suggest which one I should look for that would work for this project?  Since I think only 8 pins of the tube are being used, I guess I would be looking for a connector with 8 holes and pins.

Sorry for the somewhat clueless question, but in the last several years of building, I've just never had a use for these devices until now...

[stallik]

Do a search for Molex connectors and go to the wire to board section. Probably other makes are available.

[anotherjim]

+1^

0.1" PCB headers are the generic name. Molex are the brand people think of first -  in the same way as Hoover for vacuum cleaners - but other brands are available.

Vertical or right angle pcb mounted "male" pins in a plastic carrier. The "female" shell usually involves separate crimp contacts.

I'm loath to use crimps unless I have the proper crimping tool. Those tools can be a major expense. The wrong tool deforms the crimp and then it's a pain to get it to fit in the plastic shell. I'd be tempted instead to use screw terminals - there are 0.1" pcb solder mount ones.

[electrosonic]

Tayda has Molex connectors, I find them sort of bulky, but they are cheap enough.

I have recently ordered from Pololu. They sell robotics electronics but have a good assortment of 0.1" connectors and headers. Probably not the cheapest way to go but the quality looks good.

https://www.pololu.com/category/19/connectors

Andrew.