DIP20 IC Insertion Tool

I may have had a couple too many ICs to insert in circuit boards… and trying to get the pins to go in straight was annoying me. I designed this tool in an attempt to make my life easier. Quickly pop an IC in the tool - tool bends IC pins roughly straight - simply align the tips of the pins sticking past the end of the tool in the circuit board holes and push the button on top to insert the IC!

Notes: don't print in PLA - use ABS or your choice of stronger materials. 20 small pins are enough to make PLA bend just enough that you can't use this tool for its intended purpose. I printed my tool in the same orientation as it is to be used - a different orientation may work better (though I haven't tried). 0.2mm layer height. You'll need to trim/ sand any bulgy bottom edges caused by your build plate. You may need to scale this to make it work properly for your particular IC. I made it work on my 3d printer for DIP14-DIP20 ICs.

Did it work? Yes… but not as well as I hoped. I ended up machining one out of aluminum that works a little more consistently. If you have 20 ICs to install, use this. If you have 200… make or buy a metal one.