# Flora Snaps ## Overview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDwmnfpjlno The small 5mm size of these tin-plated brass snaps means they fit perfectly on Flora's pads! Snaps make a great connector for wearables-- solder one side to the board and sew the other to your project with conductive thread. Easily disconnect your Flora for use in multiple projects, or remove it prior to machine washing. New to FLORA? Check out these other guides: - [Getting Started with FLORA](http://learn.adafruit.com/getting-started-with-flora "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/getting-started-with-flora") - [Flora RGB Smart Pixels](http://learn.adafruit.com/flora-rgb-smart-pixels "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/flora-rgb-smart-pixels") - [Flora Wearable GPS](http://learn.adafruit.com/flora-wearable-gps) - [Flora Pixel Brooch](http://learn.adafruit.com/flora-pixel-brooch "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/flora-pixel-brooch") - [Flora TV-B-Gone](http://learn.adafruit.com/flora-tv-b-gone) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/183/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-09_at_11.37.50_PM.png?1396793428) # Flora Snaps ## Tools & supplies First gather your tools and supplies! You will need [teeny tiny 5mm snaps](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1126), a [Flora main board](http://www.adafruit.com/products/659), [conductive thread](http://www.adafruit.com/products/641), and a [needle](http://www.adafruit.com/products/615). You'll also need some clear nail polish or fray check. ![flora_659_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/184/medium640/flora_659_LRG.jpg?1396793438) ![flora_1126_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/192/medium640/flora_1126_LRG.jpg?1396793444) **Soldering iron** Any entry level 'all-in-one' soldering iron that you might find at your local hardware store should work. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Upgrading to a higher end soldering iron setup, like the [Hakko FX-888 that we stock in our store](http://adafruit.com/products/180 "Link: http://adafruit.com/products/180"), will make soldering fun and easy.
Do not use a "ColdHeat" soldering iron! They are not suitable for delicate electronics work and can damage the Flora ([see here](http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/cold-soldering2.htm)). [Click here to buy our entry level adjustable 30W 110V soldering iron.](http://adafruit.com/products/180 "Link: http://adafruit.com/products/180") [Click here to upgrade to a Genuine Hakko FX-888 adjustable temperature soldering iron.](http://adafruit.com/products/303 "Link: http://adafruit.com/products/303") [Learn how to solder with tons of tutorials!](http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guide-excellent-soldering") [ ](http://www.ladyada.net/learn/soldering/index.html) ![flora_xytronics258usa_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/185/medium640/flora_xytronics258usa_LRG.jpg?1396793453) ![flora_fx888_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/193/medium640/flora_fx888_LRG.jpg?1396793499) **Solder** You will want rosin core, 60/40 solder. Good solder is a good thing. Bad solder leads to bridging and cold solder joints which can be tough to find. [Click here to buy a spool of leaded solder (recommended for beginners).](http://adafruit.com/products/145 "Link: http://adafruit.com/products/145") [Click here to buy a spool of lead-free solder.](http://adafruit.com/products/734 "Link: http://adafruit.com/products/734") ![flora_145solder_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/194/medium640/flora_145solder_LRG.jpg?1396793505) **Multimeter** You will need a good quality basic multimeter that can measure voltage and continuity. [Click here to buy a basic multimeter.](http://adafruit.com/products/71) [Click here to buy a top of the line multimeter.](http://adafruit.com/products/308) [Click here to buy a pocket multimeter.](http://adafruit.com/products/850) [Don't forget to learn how to use your multimeter too!](http://learn.adafruit.com/multimeters) ![flora_ID850_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/195/medium640/flora_ID850_LRG.jpg?1396793515) ![flora_71temp_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/196/medium640/flora_71temp_LRG.jpg?1396793524) Solder wick will help correct any mistakes and adjust the fit of your snaps. [Click here to buy some.](http://adafruit.com/products/149) ![flora_wick_LRG.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/197/medium640/flora_wick_LRG.jpg?1396793535) A [Panavise](http://adafruit.com/products/151) is useful, but not strictly necessary. ![flora_pv201_MED.gif](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/198/medium640/flora_pv201_MED.gif?1448059522) # Flora Snaps ## Tin the pads ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/911/medium800/flora_DSC_0014.jpg?1396788650) Use your hot soldering iron to heat up one of the metal pads on the back of the Flora. Apply a small amount of solder to the pad. This is called tinning. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/912/medium800/flora_DSC_0015.jpg?1396788675) Spread the solder around the metal pad with the tip of your soldering iron. The solder will form the connection between the Flora and the snap. # Flora Snaps ## Solder snap stud ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/913/medium800/flora_DSC_0016.jpg?1396788694) The stem-like half of the snap is called the stud. The flat metal surface on this part makes it ideal for soldering to a flat pad on a circuit board. Align one stud to the pad you just tinned, and heat the post through until the pad's solder becomes molten again. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/914/medium800/flora_DSC_0017.jpg?1396788717) While the solder is molten, apply another small amount of solder. It should stick to the stud and wick into/around one or more of its needle holes. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/915/medium800/flora_DSC_0018.jpg?1396788734) You may need to shift the stud around with your soldering iron to get it into position before allowing the joint to cool. Now the solder is mechanically connecting the stud to the board as well as electrically connecting the corresponding pin on the Flora. Some discoloration may occur as the snap's tin plating shifts with the application of heat and solder. It may reveal its brassy core! # Flora Snaps ## Add more snaps ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/916/medium800/flora_DSC_0020.jpg?1396788756) Repeat the tinning and soldering process for whichever pads you need access to on the Flora for your project. If your circuit design only uses pads on one edge of the board, solder studs to one or more pads directly across the circular board to serve as anchors (these will act as mechanical connectors only). Three areas of contact around the circle is even better. Or just solder a stud to every pad for maximum future-compatibility! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/138/medium800/flora_DSC_0048.jpg?1396792082) Try to space the studs evenly while leaving as much clearance between snaps as possible. # Flora Snaps ## Snap adjustments ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/139/medium800/flora_DSC_0050.jpg?1396792100) When cool, snap on the socket sides of the snap to check your spacing. If any of the snaps touch each other, you'll need to heat them up again for realignment to prevent a short circuit. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/140/medium800/flora_DSC_0051.jpg?1396792117) Do all the sockets sit flat? A few in this photo are crooked because solder is clogging the works. If this happens to you, just reheat the solder on the post and try to get it to flow towards the board, into the crevices and away from the stem. If there's just too much solder on the snap, try wicking some away with copper braid. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/175/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-09_at_9.10.20_PM.png?1396792912) Test the strength of the solder joints by popping the sockets on and off. Once you are satisfied with the placement and strength of the snaps, remove the sockets for placement on your textile. # Flora Snaps ## Sew on sockets ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/176/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-09_at_11.40.46_PM.png?1396792992) Press your snappy Flora against the garment firmly and wiggle the board so the studs make small impressions on the fabric. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/177/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-09_at_11.41.27_PM.png?1396793038) These markings show where to sew the corresponding sockets. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/179/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-26_at_1.45.48_AM.png?1396793184) Sew the sockets onto the garment with conductive thread. Stitch the threads to their corresponding components of the circuit. Use nail polish or fray check to seal the knots before trimming the loose end very close-- stray threads cause shorts! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/181/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-26_at_10.30.44_AM.png?1396793293) The Flora will be connected most securely if it has supporting sockets at various spots around the circular board. If your circuit doesn't use pads on all sides of the Flora, you can sew sockets with plain thread in strategic spots, as seen in the upper right of this photo. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/178/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-09_at_11.37.50_PM.png?1396793122) Snap your Flora into position! Try connecting and disconnecting it a few times to test the solder joints again. # Flora Snaps ## Use it! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/003/182/medium800/flora_Screen_Shot_2012-12-26_at_10.48.27_AM.png?1396793337) Test your circuit for shorts with your multimeter before powering up your project! Now you can disconnect your Flora as needed to use it in different projects or to machine wash your garment. ## Featured Products ### FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible [FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/659) FLORA is Adafruit's fully-featured wearable electronics platform. It's a round, sewable, Arduino-compatible microcontroller designed to empower amazing wearables projects.FLORA comes with Adafruit's support, [tutorials and...](http://learn.adafruit.com/category/flora) Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/659) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/659/guides) ### Sewable Snaps - 5mm Diameter - Card of 24 [Sewable Snaps - 5mm Diameter - Card of 24](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1126) The small 5mm size of these tin-plated brass snaps means they fit perfectly on Flora's pads! Snaps make a great connector for wearables-- solder one side to the board and sew the other to your project with conductive thread! This card comes with 24 complete snaps (socket and stud... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1126) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1126/guides) ### Needle set - 3/9 sizes - 20 needles [Needle set - 3/9 sizes - 20 needles](https://www.adafruit.com/product/615) Mighty needles, sew like the wind! This needle set is the only one you'll need for any sort of hand sewing, especially using our conductive thread and wearable electronics parts. Each pack contains 20 gold-eye sharps, with eye sizes ranging from #3 (1.75" long) to #9... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/615) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/615/guides) ### Stainless Medium Conductive Thread - 3 ply - 18 meter/60 ft [Stainless Medium Conductive Thread - 3 ply - 18 meter/60 ft](https://www.adafruit.com/product/641) After months of searching, we finally have what we consider to be the ultimate conductive thread. It's thin, strong, smooth, and made completely of 316L stainless steel. Once you start working with this thread you'll quickly agree its optimal for any wearables work! This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/641) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/641/guides) ### Getting Started with Adafruit FLORA [Getting Started with Adafruit FLORA](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1839) **Making Wearables with an Arduino-Compatible Electronics Platform** This book introduces readers to building wearable electronics projects using Adafruit's tiny FLORA board: at 4.4 grams, and only 1.75 inches in diameter, and featuring Arduino compatibility, it's the... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1839) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1839/guides) ### Getting Started with Adafruit FLORA Book Pack [Getting Started with Adafruit FLORA Book Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2404) Pickup a copy of [Getting Started with Adafruit FLORA](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1839) and then hit the ground running with everything that you need to become an [Adafruit FLORA](https://www.adafruit.com/products/659) supreme being! This pack is... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2404) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2404/guides) ### FLORA Sensor Pack [FLORA Sensor Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1458) Sense the world around you! The FLORA Sensor Pack includes many types of sensors for your wearable enjoyment. Sense motion, direction, color, light levels, touch, and connections with FLORA sensor breakouts and conductive materials, and a few NeoPixels for experimenting with displaying your... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1458) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1458/guides) ### FLORA GPS Starter Pack [FLORA GPS Starter Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1090) Get started with the fabulous Adafruit Flora platform with this lovely starter kit. Included are plenty of parts to make a few different fun projects! There's a Flora motherboard, a GPS module that can also perform location datalogging, eight ultra-bright chainable RGB pixels, a battery... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1090) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1090/guides) ## Related Guides - [Conductive Thread](https://learn.adafruit.com/conductive-thread.md) - [FLORA and GEMMA ICSP](https://learn.adafruit.com/flora-and-gemma-isp.md) - [FLORA Pixel Brooch](https://learn.adafruit.com/flora-pixel-brooch.md) - [Sunscreen Reminder Hat](https://learn.adafruit.com/sunscreen-reminder-hat.md) - [FLORAbrella](https://learn.adafruit.com/florabrella.md) - [How to Find Hidden COM Ports](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-find-hidden-com-ports.md) - [Firewalker LED Sneakers](https://learn.adafruit.com/firewalker-led-sneakers.md) - [Ursula's Seashell Necklace](https://learn.adafruit.com/ursulas-seashell-necklace.md) - [Flora GPS Jacket](https://learn.adafruit.com/flora-gps-jacket.md) - [Wearable Piezo Tones with Flora](https://learn.adafruit.com/wearable-piezo-tones-with-flora.md) - [Washing Wearable Electronics](https://learn.adafruit.com/washing-wearable-electronics.md) - [Flora Wearable GPS](https://learn.adafruit.com/flora-wearable-gps.md) - [NeoPixel Matrix Snowflake Sweater](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-matrix-snowflake-sweater.md) - [VU Meter Baseball Hat](https://learn.adafruit.com/vu-meter-baseball-hat.md) - [Zipper Switch](https://learn.adafruit.com/zipper-switch.md)