What is it?

Chips on a Stick is an itty-bitty PCB that lets you use surface mount components on a breadboard. Because the board is oriented vertically, it occupies a small 4x4 space on the breadboard, but it allows you to mount multiple components and even write values or a part description on the board. There are a range of footprints on the board, from 0201 (0603 Metric) to 1206 (3216 Metric). There is also a large 2835 footprint on the back of the board, which can be populated with an LED or similar large part.

Chips on a Stick are sold in kit form (unassembled). The basic kit is a 10 pack, which includes 10 individual PCBs, and 10 right angle pin headers for using on a breadboard. NOTE: the current stock of PCBs is NOT lead-free. They have been produced with a HASL process which contains lead. In future production runs I will consider a lead-free process.

Why did you make it?

I made this board after I needed to create a quick prototype with an SMD photodiode. At the time, I was just piecing together components on a breadboard. I made a quick fix by soldering wires directly to the diode, but I realized that I could make a better solution to avoid this problem in the future.

The first design iteration was intended to be a single component board with multiple footprint sizes for flexibility. However, I realized that I could enable more functionality by adding connection points to the top of the board, and components on the back side. In the current iteration, this makes it possible to use Chips on a Stick to create a voltage divider, resistor-limited LED, or first order filter.

What makes it special?

It is true that Chips on a Stick is far from the first breakout board to be created. But it's different! Chips on a Stick is designed to take up minimum real-estate on your breadboard, while enabling maximum functionality. Chips on a Stick is a much more tidy solution than placing through hole components all over the breadboard - in fact, you might want to use it even when you aren't specifically trying to test SMD components.

The flexible design of Chips on a Stick allows you to use it for multiple applications. Mount multiple components to create voltage dividers or RC / CR filters. Add an LED and resistor to make an LED indicator for your breadboard. Solder wires directly to the board to create an in-line solution for your wiring harness. The possibilities are (almost) endless!