Anyone good with really fine soldering and modifying circuit boards?

[nipper]

This is like my last ditch attempt to find someone

 

I'll even throw some cash your way if you want.

 

There is a mod for 2005-2009 SUbaru radios with the built in HVAC controls so you can add a real aftermarket radio.

 

I can solder very well, but don't have the proper soldering iron.

[Cougar]

I can solder Nipper. Why don't you just purchase a decent iron? You don't need to spend a lot to get one.

[987687]

For not too much coin you can get something like this, that's a nice small tip low wattage iron that'll be good for what you're doing.

A jeweler's magnifying glass can help, too. Or any one that's on a stand that can sit over your work, just helps see the tiny stuff you're working on.

[nipper]

Im not sure if that will do the job. This is very fine soldering at its best. I can solder free hand down to a human hair, but not when the gaps between legs are the same width. I am way out of practice for that. 

[hankosolder2]

Nipper,

 

I'm an electronics tech with experience working on boards with tiny SMD parts... got any pictures or links to the mod procedure so I can see what we're dealing with?

[hankosolder2]

Nipper,

 

I'm an electronics tech with experience working on boards with tiny SMD parts... got any pictures or links to the mod procedure so I can see what we're dealing with?

[nipper]

There are a few variations on this, and I have one on PDF but in general thjis is what it is

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/dual-hvac-pcb-relocation-info-53848.html

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63956&referrerid=6661

 

Thats a long thread but you get the idea. 

 

I even have two of them, one backup in case surgery fails the first time

 

Thanks You.

 

I have a plan B but that involves hacking some supports loosing my upper cubby and having two radios in the car

 

And the Virgo in me just doesnt like that option.

[DiehardGL-10]

For not too much coin you can get something like this, that's a nice small tip low wattage iron that'll be good for what you're doing.

A jeweler's magnifying glass can help, too. Or any one that's on a stand that can sit over your work, just helps see the tiny stuff you're working on.

 

I have that exact same iron and can tell you its just OK. I have worked on lots of electronics in my time and  repaired many circut boards. I think if you are going to do this yourself you should get somthing like this. You need the Gun and not the iron because it heats up much faster and melts the solder twice as fast as an iron , due to having about twice the wattage. that is especially key for many reasons. Tho I must tell you, I am not a technition and do not repair circuts on a daily baises, I only have a degree in electrical engineering.

Edited April 20, 2013 by DiehardGL-10

[nipper]

I have that exact same iron and can tell you its just OK. I have worked on lots of electronics in my time and  repaired many circut boards. I think if you are going to do this yourself you should get somthing like this. You need the Gun and not the iron because it heats up much faster and melts the solder twice as fast as an iron , due to having about twice the wattage. that is especially key for many reasons. Tho I must tell you, I am not a technition and do not repair circuts on a daily baises, I only have a degree in electrical engineering.

 

I actually have that gun, but when I used to do strain gauges I used http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366424318&sr=8-2&keywords=soldering+station. I dont have that much control with a gun, not to mention i can't find a fine enough tip for it. 

[hankosolder2]

I looked at that procedure (which seems to be more of a 'this is the general concept, cut approximately here and jumper pcb traces a/r and cram the board in a box' than a step-by step) and it looks like a huge pain. There are lot of traces to jumper. 

 

Whatever you do, don't use a high wattage soldering gun! Short of a blowtorch, that's the most inappropriate tool possible for delicate pcb work. A low wattage, fine tipped, preferably temperature controlled iron is the only way to go.

[DiehardGL-10]

.............. Whatever you do, don't use a high wattage soldering gun! Short of a blowtorch, that's the most inappropriate tool possible for delicate pcb work. .....

 

Interisting opinion..  I do have a tempreture controll iron that I use for other things involving more extensive work.  I use a gun almost all the time for my repairs with never a problem .. I guess I must be just extrmly lucky. But like I said im not a technition who does repairs daily.

Edited April 20, 2013 by DiehardGL-10

[89Ru]

Whatever you do, don't use a high wattage soldering gun! Short of a blowtorch, that's the most inappropriate tool possible for delicate pcb work. A low wattage, fine tipped, preferably temperature controlled iron is the only way to go.

 

+1  absolutely correct.  too much heat and you can cook the part or damage the pcb.  low wattage iron, fine solder, and temperature control is needed.  a microscope helps for both work and inspection.  if the pcb is designed well, just a touch of heat will flow the solder onto the pad/lead and keep the solder from bridging under the part.  the smallest amount of solder, just enough to wet the pad is best to avoid bridges.  if bridges form, usually just sucking up the excess solder with fine solder wick and just walking the iron over the leads fixes the problem.  i'm not a electronics tech but have pretended to be one occasionally when they aren't available.  in my opinion the hardest part of surface mount work is removing many-leaded devices, which i always left to the experts who have vacuums, hot plates, and hot air reflow tools.