User avatar
By Hoot
#474628
I didn't see many a thread in regards to this and seeing as how there are a lot of non functioning solders it'd be grand practice to learn soldering.

So I got kit the other day in the mail (for some reason every time I get parts I giggle like a school girl) opened it up and in dread I stared at the project before me. Many pieces. Many tiny little bastard that my long sausage fingers would have to handle.

f*** it. Bought a decent soldering iron, watched a few youtube how tos on soldering and started. So far not bad.
Im taking a break because I need to get a heat gun to heat the shrink tubing for the standup....uh....thingies....yes...

At any rate ill be snapping pics of my progress as I plan on actually blasting thru this project in the next few days while I wait for parts to come for my pack. Its a good diversion and a new skill to be learned.

Any pointers are welcome. Thanks in advance lads!
By PssdffJay
#474652
Doug's kit is awesome and lots of fun to make. I took a few photos in my uniform thread but not a step by step at all. Doug's instructions are great. It looks intimidating at first but it goes together smooth. The only part that I had trouble with is the gold posts with the black spacer things. I couldn't get them off once they were soldered so I did take my dremel to it because they are under the fake chips an you can't see it. It does make a tone of gold dust that is hard to get off the board but I just call that weathering. You can't tell unless you know to look for it.
robandliv liked this
By PssdffJay
#474653
And good on ya with the heat gun. I had tried with a hair dryer and that didn't work well and a lighter just burns it.

When you get to the Nixie tubes, that crazy glue that is the gel type is excellent! I took a box and used a pen to poke holes big enough to hold the tubes upside down while the led glue dried. I have to run into a meeting. I'll post more of my thoughts a bit later.
By PssdffJay
#474683
I also used a pair of clippers to cut of the extra length on the back and also used a small file on them after on the non working parts.

I think that is all I can recall for now. By then end of it you'll be a soldering pro! When I start my second gizmo, I bet I'll be done in half the time.
User avatar
By Hoot
#474844
Morydees wrote:Great progress. I just realized I should really get myself one of those fancy alligator clip soldering holder thingamabobs.
If I can make a single recommendation for it? Get one thing with rubber coating. Shit scratched my circuit board a bit :(
#474857
I made a small video. NSFW!!!!



Ignore the buzz - phone was on silent and blowing up at the exact moment I was recording.

Annnnnd sorry for the vulgarity....no Im not.
Cyberkorr liked this
User avatar
By Hoot
#474866
So the bitch is done. Total build time: 1.5 days.

Image
Image

I know the error box is not mounted but I am waiting until better weather to paint since its cold as balls here.

Enjoy.

This was a fun build. Mind you... I could understand why the Chinese are great at circuitry. Im far too tall. Now for a muscle relaxer and a beer.
User avatar
By Morydees
#474910
Hoot wrote:
Morydees wrote:Great progress. I just realized I should really get myself one of those fancy alligator clip soldering holder thingamabobs.
If I can make a single recommendation for it? Get one thing with rubber coating. Shit scratched my circuit board a bit :(
It seems those are incredibly hard to find though so I may just get some soft rubber and make my own ends or something. Either way, that's great to know ahead of time. Thanks and good work on yours!
By PssdffJay
#474917
What about some felt with the sticker on the other side?

I didn't use one when I made mine. I didn't want to pay $30 for one from Radio Shack (The Source in Canada). That's $30 in pack parts I can buy!
User avatar
By Morydees
#474931
This post may contain an affiliate link that helps support GBFans.com when you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

PssdffJay wrote:Hey, what about scrap cut off pieces of the tubing from the pack? Does that fit over the clips?
Close to what I was planning.I was going to get this one off Amazon for $7 and use heat shrink tubing to make some padding. Maybe a few different sizes, layered, to accommodate the clip's increasing diameter.
User avatar
By Wharin
#474984
PssdffJay wrote:Hey, what about scrap cut off pieces of the tubing from the pack? Does that fit over the clips?
On mine (I got it from harbor freight), I just slipped some heat shrink tubing over the jaws, problem solved.
User avatar
By Hoot
#474991
Wharin wrote:
PssdffJay wrote:Hey, what about scrap cut off pieces of the tubing from the pack? Does that fit over the clips?
On mine (I got it from harbor freight), I just slipped some heat shrink tubing over the jaws, problem solved.
I thought about that...after...I ....was done. Dammit
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