Overview

Through hole vs. solid

Using the through hole

  • Really not conducive…
  • Soldering guides available for proper “filling” technique
  • Can use shims too from lead clippings…
  • A pain to dry after washing -> oxidation

Stacking?

  • Didn’t have much luck with it…
  • Concerned the contact may not be suitable, and could potentially desolder while soldering components and wires.
  • Opted for top-mounting (through hole), but a bit awkward even when shimming the hole with wire.

Amplified Parts

“Generic”

For my first build I used these generic” turrets from Amplified Parts.

'Generic' turrets (manufacturer unknown). Not sure what the plating is, but it's not tin...

However, the results were mixed with my final impression that they unfortunately do not take solder very well. Perhaps, as one reviewer noted, they need to be “de-greasted”, or there are simply better options for plating material.

“Premium”

I also obtained some of Amplified Parts’ “premium” turrets and, although I have not used these specific ones in any build, I nevertheless experimented and noticed a positive difference in soldering immediately, likely due to superior tin-plating. Some brief sleuthing later, it turns out these premium turrets are Keystone Electronics’ #1509-4:

Amplified Parts' 'Premium' turrets are Keystone 1509-4s
Notice the part number in the browser tab's title and the diagram itself...
Notice the part numbers and diagrams match Amplified Parts'

TubeDepot

TubeDepot seems to offer only one type of non-bifurcated turret, and while it’s a Keystone, it’s the 1540-4 and thus a “single” (1x high) and fairly small and, for my builds, impractical turret.

Mouser

I’ve ultimately settled on 2x and 3x Keystone turrets sourced from Mouser. These turrets are solid core (not through-hole), and identical to each other except the 3x (1527-4) has an extra tier relative to the 2x (1503-4):

  • Double: Keystone 1503-4
Keystone 2x solid turret. Note the 'L' dimension is suitable for 1/8 inch thick board material.
  • Triple: Keystone 1527-4
Keystone 3x solid turret. Note the 'L' dimension is suitable for 1/8 inch thick board material.

Work in progress…

I’ve interim-press-fit Keystone 2x (1503-4) turrets into this board and plan on incrementally swapping for Keystone 3x (1527-4) as the need arises. Once final, all turrets will be swaged in.

Turret Mounting

  • Swage rather than press fit (press fitting requires exacting drill holes/bits and while pressing is faster than swaging, I found swaged turrets more conducive to replacement if/when needed)
  • Make a swage tool and use a drill press as a press; TubeDepot and/or Amplified Parts has DIY instructions
    • Two bolts
    • Cut head off one
      • Put either end in drill press
      • Start drill press
      • Bust out the grinder
      • Angle it 45 degrees and prepared to be dazzled
    • Drill the other
    • Profit