Modding Guide?

[DrinkTea]

Is there a guide to modding switches that are plate mounted? It's time to learn how to solder anyway. I'd like to change the springs in a board with blues I got a good deal on. And if I screw up, well, it wasn't that expensive.

[CPTBadAss]

If you to go WhiteFireDragon's YouTube page, he's got a lot of great videos on how to mod your board. Also check out the Living Soldering Thread in the "Making Stuff Together" subforum.

[TD22057]

Lots of good stuff on soldering here as well:

[DrinkTea]

Cool. Thanks. What do you think is the minimum amount of equipment I would need just to remove the switches for spring swapping on a quickfire rapid?

[Photekq]

Cool. Thanks. What do you think is the minimum amount of equipment I would need just to remove the switches for spring swapping on a quickfire rapid?

-Cheap ass soldering iron. A solder station is nice but a simple plug in soldering iron will work.
-Solder
-Desoldering pump

[alaricljs]

A good desoldering pump is not too much more expensive than crap... Go with a Soldapullt.  ... there's links here somewhere to cheap places to buy.

[oluf]

You may also be interested in Dave's videos over at EEV blog... http://www.eevblog.com/episodes/ Lots of great info about electronics.. For soldering basics check out eps #180, #183 and #186. Plus, Dave is pretty entertaining. =)

[DrinkTea]

I have a soldering iron and solder that came with a tool kit I bought on newegg a while back. But I have the feeling that's a little too bottom of the barrel to be any good. Am I correct in this assumption?

[TD22057]

I have a soldering iron and solder that came with a tool kit I bought on newegg a while back. But I have the feeling that's a little too bottom of the barrel to be any good. Am I correct in this assumption?

IMHO - yes.   I used cheap irons for most of my life and didn't think it really mattered... until I bought a nice station (Hakko FX-888 for about $80).  The temperature control on the nicer irons makes a big difference in terms of how easy it is to get a good, consistent joint (at least for me).  If you can afford it, I'd say it's definitely worth it.

[Photekq]

I have a soldering iron and solder that came with a tool kit I bought on newegg a while back. But I have the feeling that's a little too bottom of the barrel to be any good. Am I correct in this assumption?

As long as the soldering iron can melt the solder it can be used to desolder switches. You might have a more pleasant experience with a better one but if you're only doing one job then it isn't worth the money.

[DrinkTea]

Thanks. But what about resoldering after I replace the springs. Does quality of solder matter that much, or can I use the crummy old stuff that came with the kit.

[alaricljs]

Personally, someone with experience can wield any soldering iron reasonably.  It's when you have a crap iron and don't know what you're doing that you end up cooking things.

Is it doable?  Yes.   Do I recommend it?  Depends on how valuable what you're operating on is.  A reasonably cheap wattage control iron (WLC-100 - ~$40) can be pretty helpful.  Also making a decision early on in how "into it" you might get.  Cheaper to go with 1 iron up front than to upgrade over and over.

[DrinkTea]

I have the feeling this will be a one time thing, or something I don't do often. I guess I'll just try it once with the crummy parts I have and then if I like it, I'll get something high end.
I'm just working on a quickfire rapid with blues that was on sale at newegg a few days ago. I think it was $55 after rebate. So, not a huge deal.

[TD22057]

Thanks. But what about resoldering after I replace the springs. Does quality of solder matter that much, or can I use the crummy old stuff that came with the kit.

I don't think the quality of solder matters very much - but the thickness does.  For electronics work you want something fairly thin.  If all you have is really thick stuff, it will take too much heat to melt it and you won't be able to apply the right amount. 

[DrinkTea]

Well, the tool kit it came in was meant for electronics, so hopefully it's alright. Also, for desoldering, it comes with just a solder wick. Is this not the greatest way to remove the switches?

[alaricljs]

Depends on the board.  Solder wick doesn't work so great on 2-sided PCBs.