|
Post by Syntesis on Apr 8, 2011 16:07:05 GMT
I decided to teach myself soldering for funsies so I'd be able to perform basic mods for myself to save a bit of money and so I'd be able to perform basic repairs. I am practicing on a dead Dreamcast and so far I've been able to solder on 6 wires in random places. First mistake I made was using a crap soldering iron stand that doesn't fit my soldering iron properly: The two metals touched and despite being there only for a minute or so, it was enough to make my soldering iron look like I've blasted a welder at it. Second mistake was that I wasn't very good at tinning my iron and I think some of the sponge burnt onto it when wiping off the excess. I think the tip is too big anyway at 2.4mm so no big deal getting another. I found it very difficult getting solder onto the BIOS chip pins and soldering a wire into place. I managed to make the motherboard and part of the chip go slightly white in doing so! Also what about fumes? I don't remember using any kind of mask while soldering at school many moons ago but my memory isn't very good. Any tips, tricks or whatever welcome. Please save me from myself lol.
|
|
|
Post by Stuart36 on Apr 8, 2011 16:34:00 GMT
i believe that the correct technique for applying solder is to heat up the bit you want to solder, and then push the solder onto that, not to apply it with the iron. either that's a little known trick, or i am wrong...
|
|
|
Post by Syntesis on Apr 8, 2011 16:59:53 GMT
i believe that the correct technique for applying solder is to heat up the bit you want to solder, and then push the solder onto that, not to apply it with the iron. either that's a little known trick, or i am wrong... Yep I was doing that. I'd give it a mo then I'd apply the wire to the solder I just applied and then the iron so it would melt slightly then soldify. My joins seem quite good and clean, not blobby at all. Another issue I remembered, is that the power lead for the iron is very short. It's designed I guess for people who have power sockets on their work bench or on the same level. Not ideal for me soldering away on the dinner table with the plugs at ground level. It made it very difficult to keep a steady hand as I was constantly fighting with it. I might go spend the weekend with my grandfather as he has a proper workshop in his garage although he is more into woodwork than electronics.
|
|
|
Post by yuji on Apr 10, 2011 13:31:25 GMT
I don't bother with masks, but sometimes it does stinck when I mistakenly melt plastic I'd say just keep practicing, and search the web for tricks and you'll be just fine! I'm a noob myself when it comes to solder irons, but was able to successfully mod my N64 for RGB, NeoGeo for Stereo, Saturn for multi-region, and make few cables etc. Just be patient and cool!
|
|
|
Post by Kibbles on Apr 10, 2011 20:56:33 GMT
Yep, masks are generally aimed at people without livers or immune systems (or both, I guess).
|
|
|
Post by Syntesis on Apr 11, 2011 11:53:00 GMT
Once I am done practicing I will mod for real one of my Mega Drives and then my Dreamcast. The Dreamcast is probably easier (BIOS chip pin aside) but there's more potential financial damage Is it just me or are solder suckers really bad? Unless you've put a gigantic blob it doesn't seem to do anything (I was trying to remove random components from the Dreamcast board). I think I will try my luck with some desoldering braid instead.
|
|
|
Post by Stuart36 on Apr 11, 2011 21:29:39 GMT
yes, soldering suckers suck. they are aweful and noone (in my GCSE electronics) used them, as they did nothing...
|
|
EverestX
Saturn Player
Follow Freeman
Joined: January 2008
Posts: 89
Location:
|
Post by EverestX on Apr 19, 2011 8:10:17 GMT
Sorry for the late post, however I think you will find the following (NASA soldering) videos useful. radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/telescope/soldering.htmMy particular advise is learn to solder on old PCB's such as ISA or PCI cards, this is how I originally taught myself, and if you look around for my arcade on the forums, I've come quite a ways
|
|
|
Post by Syntesis on Apr 19, 2011 20:34:11 GMT
Thanks but I am good now on the basics Every weekend I will solder a bit on the (dead) Dreamcast mobo, it's now got a bunch of wires stuck to various points. I feel confident enough to do my Mega Drive but I still need to get the switches and figure out how I am going to the holes in the case. I will probably borrow a drill and punch several holes then file away until it looks clean. One problem I have found is that my soldering iron might only take chisel tips. I have a 2015 and apparently it's the 2012 that takes the pointed ones. I also need to get a wire stripper because right now I am just taking the insulation off with a stanley knife I borrowed off my dad. He gave me a little toolbox for all my gear too.
|
|
|
Post by Stuart36 on Apr 19, 2011 22:29:47 GMT
instead of wire strippers (which are good, but a bit unnecessary) you can just use wire cutters, just apply light pressure and pull sideways.
|
|
|
Post by Kibbles on Apr 19, 2011 23:21:42 GMT
You can also use your teeth or even your finger nails - although you may be swallowing DANGEROUSLY SMALL amounts of flame retardants which pose no risk to your health what so ever by chewing cable insulation. Just don't swallow it.
|
|
|
Post by Syntesis on May 6, 2011 22:41:03 GMT
you can just use wire cutters, just apply light pressure and pull sideways. Yep this works well. I wanted to replace the soldering iron tip with a different one but the screw head fell apart with the screw still inside it (it must have been really heat damaged) so I need to buy a new iron now Living up to the thread title...
|
|
|
Post by Syntesis on May 13, 2011 20:11:53 GMT
I successfully modchipped my Dreamcast! I can't believe I didn't mess it up!!! ;D
I got the modchip from Rob Webb, it works a treat.
|
|
|
Post by sg1000 on May 15, 2011 11:56:46 GMT
congrats
|
|
|
Post by Syntesis on May 15, 2011 16:10:16 GMT
Thank you
|
|