freestompboxes.org

What is the best way to connect the LED to the circuit; should I solder directly to the leads? Just want to know the the best practice

I snip the first leg to about 15mm and use pliers to bend the end of the leg over to form a loop: Tin the end of some stranded wire, and bend the tinned end over into another loop, then hook the loops together. I then use pliers to crimp the hooked ends together to hold them while I solder the connection. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll drop a short length of heatshrink tubing over the exposed metal at the join. Repeat with the other leg. I find it best to do one leg at a time, and use black wire for the negative leg and another colour for the positive to avoid putting the LED into the circuit backwards by mistake. Not sure if it's good practice, but works well for me.

Nocentelli wrote:I then use pliers to crimp the hooked ends together to hold them while I solder the connection. . . Not sure if it's good practice, but works well for me.

When I was learning the ropes as an electronic wireman, I was taught that a joint should be mechanically secure before soldering. So it seems that your method IS good practice.