ribbon cables

I'm sure jghilino will chime in with the breakdown he did on ribbon cable connectors soon. It was his analysis that got me to pluck pins on ribbon connectors and I hated it at first but the muscle memory grew quickly and I started really enjoying it. What I learned is it is ten times easier to retrieve the pins if you don't cut the connectors away from the ribbon cable. Leave your cable as it is from the tower and it makes handling the connector so much easier. Many times the pins will come out on the ribbon cable after you've cut the plastic away.

I've never found a pair of pliers that I like for plucking pins. Most dikes/side cutters don't work that well either but I did find a pair with a super straight structure that grabs several at a time.

At my best I did 8 ounces in 3 hours. When gold was high these pins would easily bring $100 a lb. It's good money when you get good at it.