Introduction: NodeMCU Breadboard Tweak

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About: Some of my interests is: - Linux, pref CentOS or Debian on servers - Embeded stuff like RaspberryPi, Arduino and Electronics - Sailing - Woodworking

I like to build and lab with electronics like Arduino and lately with the ESP8266. The NodeMCU is a development-kit with USB to serial and a ESP8266, model ESP12 mounted on a small PCB. And it is easily programmable via the Arduino IDE, you just have to add hardware support for it, see URL below.

Reference:

The challenge with NodeMCU is that there is no holes left on the solderless breadboards when you have mounted the Node MCU on it.

The solution is just 10 minutes away!

Supplies

  1. Breadboard

Step 1:

  1. Hacksaw
  2. File
  3. Scissor
  4. Clamp
  5. Alcohol
  6. Snap-Off Utility Knives
  7. Work table with a vise or a clamp

Step 2: Raw Material

  • NodeMCU (template for desired distance)
  • Plastic lid or other sturdy "plate for the base"
  • Solderless breadboard

Step 3: Lets Get Started With Preparing the "Solderless Breadboard"

Before you start cutting the Solderless breadboard, cut a grove in the double-sided tape on the underside of the Solderless breadboard.

Place the Solderless breadboard in a vise and cut it in the middle.

Then use a file to plane and smooth the surface that you cut, I also leveled of the tabs on the side of the Solderless breadboard.

Step 4: And Now Over to the "Base"

On my lid from a ice cream container, I cut away the sides with a scissor, so I was left with a plane plastic "sheet".

Clean the plastic with some alcohol so it's free from fat and grease so the double-sided tape on the Solderless breadboard sticks to the plastic surface.

Step 5: Let Put It Together

Measure out the base.

Peal off the protective paper from the double-sided tape on one of the Solderless breadboard halves.

Put the Solderless breadboard half on the plastic and use a clamp to put pressure on the double-sided tape so it will stick to the plastic surface. After 5-10 minutes remove the clamps. and repeat the process with the second half and use the NodeMCU to get the distance right.

Step 6: Admire the Result

Now enjoy your NodeMCU solderless breadboard that have holes left in the and enjoy your NodeMCU solderless for you to play around with.

Step 7: Comments

I have two rows of holes free on each side so I can use my 4xLED lab board, I did a version that I have four rows free on each side of the NodeMCU and then I can't use my 4xLED lab board because the groove is to wide between the solderless breadboard halves.

The clear solderless breadboard is made of plastic that has a lower melting-point and that make them harder to work with, when sawing the plastic gets sticky since it's half melted due to the friction. And the same happens when leveling it off with the file.