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From: lamb@brahms.udel.edu (Richard E Lamb)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Wire-wrap tools
Message-ID: <18620@brahms.udel.edu>
Date: 9 Feb 91 02:12:38 GMT
References: <21041@hydra.gatech.EDU> <1991Feb7.221900.16101@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <13248@life.ai.mit.edu>
Organization: University of Delaware
Lines: 21


I've used Vector Slit-N-Wrap for years.  You can't beat it with a power wrapper
for micro-processor work.  Daisy channing address and data busses, especially
through memory chip arrays, makes for simple wiring.  I use a manual tool for
"detail" work, tho a power winder would sometimes be nice.  Depends on how 
much you are going to do, I suppose. 

Lately, we go straight to PCBs.  With all the PCB layout software this has
been fairly easy.  Lots easier than handbuilding from scratch, usually.

I got tired of building the same old IBM PC slot circuitry alla time,
and wirewrapped a kinda snazzy IO card that has a bus extension port similar
to the old Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III and 4 computers (data bus, control
signals, and address bus).  Since I/O space is a bit crowded on most XT/AT
type machines, I added a register to expand the IBM PROTOTYPING CARD address 
range to 12 bits (it's kinda like playing virtual memory but with I/O ports).

To try a new circuit now, I only build the "gadget" portion and graft it to
the computer with a fifty pin ribbon cable.  Easier and cheaper.

Happy trails