holding transistors in sockets

[9 volts]

Some of the old germanium transistors have thin legs .......what can I use to hold them in their socket.? Eg glue? I'm hoping for something that will hold them securely but isn't permanant. Thanks in advance

[blanik]

good question, i have the same problem..!

[MartyMart]

I've had success by very quickly and carefully "tinning" the leads with solder.
They just get a bit "thicker" and seem to fit my "round hole- in line" sockets well.
Just be quick with that iron and clean the leads first with wire wool.
Otherwise, leave those thin leads longer and fold them over to double their thickness - also works !!

MM.

[Cardboard Tube Samurai]

I have never used sockets on any of my builds... Maybe its just because I use PCBs?!?!

[rankine]

I've used superglue and I didn't have any problems. I imagine that "tinning" the leads with solder is a better idea though.

[markm]

I have never used sockets on any of my builds... Maybe its just because I use PCBs?!?!

I just solder 'em right in regardless of being Ge or Si. Afterall, they soldered Ge's in the '60s right?!
I only use sockets for testing. 

[petemoore]

  Hotmelt glue.
 

[jonathan perez]

  Hotmelt glue.
 

yup!

[Papa_lazerous]

I have never used sockets on any of my builds... Maybe its just because I use PCBs?!?!

I just solder 'em right in regardless of being Ge or Si. Afterall, they soldered Ge's in the '60s right?!
I only use sockets for testing. 

My thoughts exactly, I dont use sockets. I use breadboard to test and play then solder the lot the only exception is I socket IC's but thats just common sense.  If I have an old Ge tranny that I kno dont like heat I use a heat sink clip on the leg I am soldering easy peasy no socket in sight

[Barcode80]

i always socket all ICs and trannies, but i think unless i want flexibility (i.e. quick part swapping for sound) i'm going to stop socketing trannies. heatsink works just fine. incidentally, since you asked, one way would be to buy the cheapo sockets instead of the round hole kind. the cheap ones use a metal sprin type clip in each hole which will fit just about any tranny securely.

[petemoore]

  I don't know, but takes me like forever to decide what the heck I want in there, Jfet's, Ge's especially, but Bipolars very much so too...depending on.
  Put a dab of clay like stuff beside the socket, so it's holding to the board, then make 'tube retainers for transistors' and plug the retainer devices into the clay, [that glue/glob schtuff would probably work really good for that].
  The retainer could be simply shaping a strip of baggie plastic by pressing the transistor [or pencil eraser] in it, or just using double stick tape, then using needle nose to embed some of the plastic sheet into the 'never-dries-glue-blob' at the socket/board [like what comes with CD's glue blobbed to magazine package. Haven't tried it, would probably hold pretty good and be ez cleanup. Oi know your laughing !..
  Ok...make llittlle screw into perfhole retainers w/springs...lol.

[Barcode80]

if you just really want to use sockets for the trannies, you could take some of that gum stuff that you get to hang posters with. just stick a tiny dab in the socket, put in the tranny. as long as you seat the tranny in there all the way, the clay stuff should hold it in place.

[bancika]

I have never used sockets on any of my builds... Maybe its just because I use PCBs?!?!

using PCB's isn't related with sockets much. If you want/must change transistor later you'll be in deep sheet no matter what board you're using. I always use sockets for all trannies and ICs

[petemoore]

  I've never done it, I'd use hotmelt glue, using a 'surgery sheet' to mask surrounding board from being spilled on, then get good with getting some HMG out on a coffee can lid, enough to keep itself hot while the toothpick dabs it and applies the right amount, practice the motion with a dry toothpick a few times...then do it wet once, clip the excess stick from atop the transistor. Should come out neat, and just 'non-permanent enough' [in case of...].

[9 volts]

Hot glue sounds good.
I buy long ic sockets and saw them up into threes....I used to solder germaniams in once I'd decided on the right one but I've damaged transistors ( a good oc140......ouch) - like they get noisier.  double overing the legs and tinning  also sounds good (sometimes the obvious just ain't obvious) Big thanks to you all !!

[Gus]

Sockets are not a good thing for an effect that will be used on stage.  Vibration WILL disconnect the device at a bad time.

Sockets are good for trying things but if you are going to use that effect on stage soldering the transistors and/or ICs it in is the way to go.

It is good to use lockwashers on the in and out jacks for effects,amps "on the road".

[MKB]

Whatever you do, please don't use silicon rubber glue or RTV to secure the trannies to the socket!  We used to use that stuff to secure connectors, and found that it migrates over time into the socket and can cause intermittent connections.  Might be best to leave any adhesive but a potting compound away from the socket pins.

We use four and 14 pin semiconductor lasers at work, and some of them have to be plugged into a socket as they have to be removed and replaced during manufacturing.  We have found that soldering just one of the laser pins into the socket does a good job of holding the laser in the socket.  I can't see why such a thing couldn't be used with transistors in sockets.  Just solder one of the three pins into the socket, and it secures the entire part.  You have to use the sockets with round machined pins though, can't do that with standard folded socket pins.

[TheBigMan]

With thin legged GEs I fold them back on themself and jam a double thickness into the socket.  Works for me.