USPS/Canada Post destroyed a pedal

[Sensei Tim]

so i sold a pedal to a fellow in the US. shipped it out (full insured value) and it arrived a bit later than the guaranteed delivery date.

Customer plugged it in (with was a clone theory pedal) and it was DOA.

Got him to open it up and have a look. i thought maybe the bias trimmer had shifted during shipping. nope. the CD4047 IC (14 pin chip) had and entire half (that's 7 pins) completely lifted out of the socket and the other 7 pins were bent @ 45 degrees.

I had him re-seat the chip and check to make sure the other chips were still good, but he says that when the depth goes past noon there's nothing.

I'm hoping this just needs to be re-biased while the depth knob is set to max, but i don't know.

I'm tempted to file a damage claim with the shipper. I've never heard of or seen a chip popping out of a socket like that.. it almost looks like it was pulled out.

:-/

[rocket88]

That's messed up. I would file a claim even if it can get up and running as it wasn't received on the guaranteed date. Btw, where in the US? If you need I can take a look at it if he's nearby me or if you want him to send it my way. This could save you on shipping and we'll figure out the details.

[Sensei Tim]

He's in South Dakota.

I appreciate the offer, Zach!

I sent him a detailed "how-to" on biasing the pedal. hopefully he'll be successful and things will be good.

here's a pic of the IC when he opened it

[Beaker]

That's bummer Tim, though I don't fancy your luck getting redress from the postal service.

If it's anything like here in the UK, they will claim that your packaging was inadequate. I know I'm speaking after the fact, but shock damage is the thing you need to protect against. You would not believe how many times packages get hurled, dropped and bashed in transit, so copious amounts of bubble wrap is the only way to protect against a parcel being punted against the back of the delivery truck, off a size 12 steel toe capped boot.

[Sensei Tim]

Oh i'm very well aware of the abuse that all packages get.. to the point where i've been debating putting one of those shock stickers on the outside of the box.

I asked if there was any visible damage to the packaging material and he said that there was no obvious sign. I have no idea how a chip could be unseated like that.

[Beaker]

A mate of mine worked in a mail centre. He said they separated out everything with "fragile", "do not drop" etc. labels on them. All these go onto a different conveyor belt to the regular stuff.
Then it drops into a crate at the other end.

Granny's antique china dinner service followed by a truck alternator. You just know which one is going to come off worst!

[rocket88]

Any time tim, what are friends for? Hopefully he'll get it working if not I'm here if you need. I would maybe approach it based on not having it get there when it was supposed to, and mention that not only that the item was damaged in transit. This was its more like not only did you fuck up doing what you were supposed to, but you ruined the item too. They don't need to know that it's going to be fixed, know what I mean?

[M. Spencer]

This thread brings up a point I've been thinking about. I use sockets for most transistors, ICs, and sometimes diodes - super convenient for swapping and tone chasing. However, if these components are free to wiggle and pop out that's obviously no bueno, so I've been soldering a leg or two into the socket after I'm satisfied.

My question is, does anyone desolder and remove the socket after they're happy with the part selection and just solder the component directly onto the board? I know there is some concern over heat damage to the IC or tranny, but I think most of us are quick enough with the gun to avoid burning then out.

Thoughts?

[Silver Blues]

That's a good point. I know that a few people do in fact replace the socket. Personally, I will leave a socket in for parts that I may want to experiment with replacing (e.g. op-amps, transistors, sometimes diodes) but will solder the part directly if it is an invariable component of the circuit or won't be replaced (e.g. the CMOS logic chips in relay switch boards, regulators). I will also always socket ICL7660S because of the risk of frying and needing to replace them. I've never burnt a part this way.

[Beaker]

My take on this:

ICs - I always use sockets, and I now always use the round, turned pin type sockets as they are more secure. I never solder any of the pins to the socket.

Transistors - I will always use sockets if it's a pedal I have not built before. Once happy with the choice I usually solder the legs to the socket. If it's a pedal I have built more than once, I don't bother with sockets. Sometimes I remove the sockets if there is a height issue.

Diodes - same as transistors.

[rocket88]

personally i socket ICs and transistors always, just in case there's an issue later on it's a quick fix for a customer. diodes i only socket on my builds for testing purposes.

[Sensei Tim]

I've usually left ic's and transistors socketted with no problem in the past, but now I think I will solder one or two pins into the socket from now on.  Diodes I socket for my own builds or if someone specifically requests that I socket them.

[Sensei Tim]

finally have closure on this.

my claim was approved and they will be refunding me the full insured amount :D


hopefully i can fix the original one and then get it shipped out to the buyer ASAP.

[rocket88]

fantastic man. glad to hear that they took care of everything as they should.

[BuGG]

I rarely ever use sockets for any components unless it is intended to be swapped later on down the line.   One of my pedals uses an EEPROM IC, I usually socket that one in the event that the end user needs to upgrade the algorithm at a later date.

Aside from an occasional toggle switch, I've never damaged a component from heat.

A little hot glue around the socket contacts or across the end of an IC should keep it in place and allow removal if needed.