ESP12 Easy Soldering on Standard PCB

Hello,

the chinese ESP12 are very cheep but are a nightmare to test on breadboard or to solder on pcb because of their unusually 2mm step between legs.

I create a small 3D printed adapter and after several tries I found a very easy and reliable solution.

The adapter allows an easy soldering of the ESP12 on old component legs and then to plug it precisely on a breadboard or a circuit board.

You can solder the ESP12 shield on the top but I advise to solder it upside down.

Several advantages:

- it is more easy to solder

- You have more gap between ESP12 and the support (who don't like solder irons)

you avoid deformation and melting during the soldering

- you can read directly the name of each pin

I calculated also my support in order to avoid the long and difficult insertion of the legs through the ESP12 holes.

Supplies

Tools:
- 3D printer with accurate precision

- old component legs

- solder iron and solder paste

- 0.8mm drill

- small screewdriver

- small cutting plier

Step 1: Step 1: Printing the Support

I joined the SLT and pictures of the result rough out of my 3D printer.

I can only speak about ABS printing:

- 0.2mm layer height

- speed slow

- brim (improves the holes on the bottom side)

- no support

the heightening on the top side is made to have sufficient gap for easy handling and avoid melting.

The holes are wide enough but often the bottom side must be widened with a 0.8mm drill.

Step 2: Step 2: Soldering the ESP12

Position the support on a breadboard or a PCB.

- insert the legs in the holes. OK I agree, my legs are awfull!!! .

it should not be difficult to find better ones...

- take care to let enough lenght

* below: to have good contact with the breadboard or going largely through a PCB

* above: you need 6mm over the edge to enabled soldering.

- pre solder the contact surfaces of the ESP12

* optional: pre solder the legs

- Position the ESP12 on the support.

with one hand push gently the leg to his wanted position with a small screwdriver

with the second hand heat the solder pad.

in few seconds the legs are soldered against the pad.

- cut the above and bottom legs overlenght

Step 3: Step 3: Enjoy!

You can now use this ESP12 like all other standard component.

you can easily use and re use it for several project.

you can easily remove a leg our replace the ESP12.

The width is 5 paces.

I personnally prepare all my ESP12 as described and use them the day I need them.