Some projects you just can't help but get boxed in and not have any alternatives to soldering with the pin in place. You do what you have to do. I find it very cramped quarters for soldering to the center pin when left in place. I'd be willing to venture a guess and say that you are safe with 95% of the connectors in terms of not damaging the spacer. But you just don't know -- there is always that small chance of damaging one. At least they are cheap enough so if you do trash one by accident, it won't break the bank. May slow you down, but not something that will ruin the project.
I've never found them to be a great hassle to dismantle and reassemble. I won't deny that it is tedious to put the spacers back in, after that the center pin is a snap as long as there is no extraneous solder to damage the spacer when you push the pin back in. I like knowing for sure that I have not done any damage, especially damage I can not see. It's pretty darn tight in those connectors. That's where the Fluke with tone is so nice. You can check (listen) for dead shorts so easily. I do wish we could buy extra spacers as a "just in case" kind of thing. I also wish we could buy more American made parts. It really bugs me knowing we are so dependent on the Pacific Rim countries for a great majority of our parts. I love seeing "Made in the USA" on parts I buy, but with electronic components it is very rare. We come up with the concepts and designs, and then they build them and have us over a barrel. The bottom line rules in every aspect of our lives.
As I mentioned in a prior post, I find it very easy to use the Xacto knife end to both remove and replace both the spacer and pin. It's just the right size. And actually, a set of blunt nosed tweezers is just the ticket for removing the spacers. Interesting how we find unintended uses for some of our tools....lol.
I've never found them to be a great hassle to dismantle and reassemble. I won't deny that it is tedious to put the spacers back in, after that the center pin is a snap as long as there is no extraneous solder to damage the spacer when you push the pin back in. I like knowing for sure that I have not done any damage, especially damage I can not see. It's pretty darn tight in those connectors. That's where the Fluke with tone is so nice. You can check (listen) for dead shorts so easily. I do wish we could buy extra spacers as a "just in case" kind of thing. I also wish we could buy more American made parts. It really bugs me knowing we are so dependent on the Pacific Rim countries for a great majority of our parts. I love seeing "Made in the USA" on parts I buy, but with electronic components it is very rare. We come up with the concepts and designs, and then they build them and have us over a barrel. The bottom line rules in every aspect of our lives.
As I mentioned in a prior post, I find it very easy to use the Xacto knife end to both remove and replace both the spacer and pin. It's just the right size. And actually, a set of blunt nosed tweezers is just the ticket for removing the spacers. Interesting how we find unintended uses for some of our tools....lol.
