Soldering Irons... Maybe more?

[MNKyDeth]

If you see yourself doing more repairs in the future it might be a good idea to put a little more money into your tools

I honestly really enjoyed fixing my Duo when I first came here at the end of last year. All of the info I have gathered and trying out different things like the RGB and region mods I have become very comfortable with working on this console.

Just this past weekend 10/24/15 I redid my Sega Genesis / SegaCD as well. I went a step further on that console and replaced the 7805's. All seems well and good. I did this to branch out into other consoles to see how they were. Honestly the Duo is harder to work on because of the leaky caps and just overall how many there are.

I have done a few other Duo's here where I am and all has always turned out good. One I had to test what seemed like every trace on the board to see where the voltage wasn't going but I eventually found it and had another working Duo. I snagged up a couple consoles from Japan that I am going to attempt to repair and sell so hopefully all goes well their.

I don't want to break any new ground with modding like Turbokon but I do want to become a respected console repair person here if most of the others are busy and backed up with orders.

Be sure to report back on how you like it!

Oh I will, I am sure it's gonna be a good change for me since I will be able to actually control the temps.

[BlueBMW]

The 888D has a digital temperature control which is a little wierd to get used to but works fine.  I like the older model (that they dont sell anymore) that has an actual knob. 

I think the part you will like the most is how fast it gets up to temperature.  Literally once you turn it on it will be to set temp in less than 10 seconds.

[Gentlegamer]

Do you guys think replacing the power supply on a SNES would be a good beginner/learner solder project?

[BlueBMW]

What do you mean?  Replace the voltage regulator/s?  That would be pretty straight forward.

[Gentlegamer]

What do you mean?  Replace the voltage regulator/s?  That would be pretty straight forward.

Replacing the whole back panel with that unique plastic connector that breaks so often.

Or replace it with a more traditional connector, which I've heard is a good idea for longevity.

[BlueBMW]

Thats probably a pretty straight forward repair.  I'd go for it.

[GohanX]

It is, but it requires a really good hot soldering/desoldering iron to get the piece desoldered from the motherboard. It was a huge pain with the old 45w Shack iron, but my Hakko equipment makes short work of it.

[wilykat]

I'm still using Radio Shack iron, the digital soldering station (which seems to be no longer available)  I've had it for a few years, it heats up fairly quickly, has 3 customizeable preset setting, I have one set to 320C as it's the optimal temp for most soldering work.

I did order a few replacement tips from them a year ago, a little before they started sinking like Titanic so I may have saved some from jacked up scare replacement tips.

I still have one local Radio shack open in a 1 hour driving range (down from oh about 50 before May closing frenzy) so if you need something and it's available locally I could pick it up.  I usually avoid them anyway, I don't need pushy drones who wants to sell me phone plans and gives me blank look if I have question that has nothing to do with cell phone.

[majors]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=19240

Cheap alternative. Total Hakko knock-off, but at that price, buy three to replace it when it breaks

[MNKyDeth]

Wow, I think my little 25w was only $20.... more expensive than that and that one has a base....  o.O

[xelement5x]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=19240

Cheap alternative. Total Hakko knock-off, but at that price, buy three to replace it when it breaks

Lol, this is what I use too actually. 

I bought two and the first one is still working like a champ, the second is sitting boxed up in the garage for when the first eventually fails.  It even takes readily available tips

[GohanX]

I've heard getting the Chinese knockoffs and using genuine hakko tips works very well.

[BigusSchmuck]

Do you guys think replacing the power supply on a SNES would be a good beginner/learner solder project?

You should seriously talk to Desh, hes the savant for snes repairs.

[Gentlegamer]

Do you guys think replacing the power supply on a SNES would be a good beginner/learner solder project?

You should seriously talk to Desh, hes the savant for snes repairs.

I may need to because it's my original SNES and don't want to screw it up.

[MNKyDeth]

Just wanted to reply and say I have been using my Hakko-888 iron for the past 4 days now.

It is really nice compared to that radio shack one I was using. It heats up almost immediately and the base/holder for the iron is great compared to the one I had.

I am actually using a very similar tip with this iron so most of the soldering has been about the same. It's just I don't have to wait like I used to for the iron to get hot enough to melt the solder.

Thanks for recommending me this iron.