Depinning a crimp-type D-Sub

[maxtherabbit]

Is it possible to non-destructively depin a D-sub connector? I'm referring to the type where you crimp the contacts onto the wires and shove them into holes on the back of the d-sub. Is there a way to get them back out?

 

[Chuck(G)]

Yes; there are tools for that. Not budget-killers, either.

 

[maxtherabbit]

outstanding, thank you chuck

 

[Chuck(G)]

The red and white ones are all over the web. I didn't much care for the construction and made my own by boring a pin-sized hole in the end of a length of brass rod, turning down the rod to match the clearance between pins and attaching a wood handle to the end. The trick is that the depth of the hole must be slightly less than the protrusion of a pin in the shell. A quick push or tap on the handle end and the pin comes right out, without being bent.

 

[maxtherabbit]

The red and white ones are all over the web. I didn't much care for the construction and made my own by boring a pin-sized hole in the end of a length of brass rod, turning down the rod to match the clearance between pins and attaching a wood handle to the end. The trick is that the depth of the hole must be slightly less than the protrusion of a pin in the shell. A quick push or tap on the handle end and the pin comes right out, without being bent.

from reading this I gather that the tool just uses "force to overcome" and essentially pushes the pin out? there is no tab or other locking mechanism that is being actuated or released?

 

[Chuck(G)]

Nope--the "locking mechanism" is in the shell and is overcome by force. Eventually, it wears out, but it takes quite a few re-insertions of a pin to do that.

 

[maxtherabbit]

Nope--the "locking mechanism" is in the shell and is overcome by force. Eventually, it wears out, but it takes quite a few re-insertions of a pin to do that.

right, that's what I was trying to say in my previous post but I guess it wasn't clear

 

[zamp]

If you have never used one of these D-sub pin extraction tools, you might want to read through "Bob's Shop Notes: D-Sub Pin Extraction."

 

[Chuck(G)]

I'll add that there are at least two versions of the crimp pins, depending on the shell manufacture. I've got some that take pins with no barb--the pins are held in place by the shell--it's these that I'm referring to. The barbed pins are a different style.

 

[maxtherabbit]

If you have never used one of these D-sub pin extraction tools, you might want to read through "Bob's Shop Notes: D-Sub Pin Extraction."

after reading through this link I discovered I just so happen to have one of those Amp 91285-1 sets - I never knew what it was for before

I was able to use both methods to extract the pin in my test shell:

-simply pressing it out from the mating side using a 5/64 Allen "security" bit (center drilled)
-sliding the extraction tool in from the back then gently pushing the front with my finger.

Both methods seemed to extract the pin without any damage to shell or pin

 

[glitch]

I keep the tools for removing from the back, it works with both male and female pins. I don't think I have the push-it-out-from-the-front for female, not sure if they exist (is there enough clearance on the front?)

I think everyone has a handful of the red/white version and 50/50 if they know what it's for

 

[Chuck(G)]

Here's an unused pin for my D-subs:



See? No barbs.

 

[maxtherabbit]

Here's an unused pin for my D-subs:

View attachment 65549

See? No barbs.

yeah my pins are of the same design, like I said before releasing them from the back vs pushing them out from the front both seem to work equally well