Embarassingly Easy Arduino ProtoShield

Step 7 Enjoy

Here now, is a Shield that can really compete with the custom ProtoShield, at a fraction of the cost.

Comments

[lurkingdevil]

This is a bit confusing. The pictures in Step 6 and Step 7 are different as in the pins are on the copper side in step 6 and they are on the non copper side in step 7.
And how are we supposed to put in the female headers to mimic the ones on the arduino?

[br3ttb]

the headers are on the same side in both pictures. in step6 you're seeing the stubs protruding through to the copper side.

One of the downsides of the way I did this is that when the shield is inserted, the copper side is facing outwards, away from the arduino. I did it that way because it's easier to solder the headers in place, but depending on what else you're putting on this shield it might create more problems.

[lurkingdevil]

I don't get it..
Take a close look at step 6 pic4 and step 7 picture. The black things on the headers is on the copper side in step 6 but they are on the non-copper side in step 7.

[lurkingdevil]

I think I understand it now. Step 6 is an alternate way of soldering the headers with the copper side facing arduino.

Step 7 shows how the board would look like as done in Step 5 with the copper side facing away from arduino.

So now my question is, how do we solder the female headers with the copper side facing away from the arduino?

[br3ttb]

yeah that's it. sorry it's been awhile since I wrote this one. forgot that picture was there.

I'm not sure what you mean by female headers. the headers that are soldered in this instructable are male. soldering them on the copper side is much trickier. I actually don't remember how I did it. I can think of 3 ways now though:
1: you could leave a little space between the plastic part of the header and the copper. enough to get the iron in.
2: you could cut away some of the plastic on one side to get access.
3: you could pre-tin the base of each pin, then insert and heat from the non-copper side.

[lurkingdevil]

By female headers I mean the headers on the arduino. The two rows on the arduino which give access to its pins.
Like this : http://www.sparkfun.com/products/7914

[br3ttb]

ah. so if I understand you, you want to add female headers to this shield in addition to what I've already done. to do that you would want to make the copper side of the shield face the arduino using one of the methods I described above.

at that point though it might be easier just to buy the adafruit DIY shield: http://www.adafruit.com/products/187

it uses female headers with long pins so you get a male/female combo. the key to that kit is the offset header, which you can buy individually from sparkfun:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9374

full disclosure, I'm the guy who makes those offset headers for them.

[lurkingdevil]

I would buy those but they are just way too expensive.

A perf board and strip of 40 female + male headers would cost me max $2 from a local shop. It might actually cost less than that.

Sad part is, I can't find any female headers with long pins locally.

Would you mind sharing how you make those headers?

[br3ttb]

I machined a jig that lets me make large quantities. when I was doing the prototypes I was able to use needle-nose pliers to get the bends I needed. not as uniform, but you should be able to get something that works for you. Also I'd suggest sliding the header though the perf board first for some stability.

[mechatronics]

Brilliant! I'll have to get some more header pins and try this myself.