Build a Gamer's Console Repair Toolkit
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- You want to start repairing or modding video game consoles, but what tools do you need? Here's a list to get you started!
Some of the tools I use:
iFixit 26-bit driver kit:
www.ifixit.com...
Hakko CHP-170 diagonal (wire) cutter:
www.amazon.com/...
Weller WLC-100 40-watt soldering station:
www.amazon.com/...
Hakko FX-901 cordless soldering iron:
www.amazon.com/...
Menda/Desco #35622 spudger:
www.digikey.com...
Hioki DT4252 digital multimeter:
www.tequipment....
My review of the Hioki DT4252:
• Hioki DT4252 Multimete...
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This Does Not Compute
PO Box 131141
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One tool I'd add to this list, a magnetic bowl. I don't have a designated workspace to open up my consoles, so I used to lose screws and have to look for them, on one occasion I actually had to order spare screws for my NES because I couldn't find one that fell off the kitchen table. The magnetic bowl has been a lifesaver for me. I use it every time I have to open up a console or game cartridge. An absolutely essential part of my toolkit.
Something I used that I have found are extremely useful; old prescription pill bottles. I have done a lot of old handheld repair/mods and those bottles come in handy all the time. I have a few, one filled with A/B buttons, one with Dpads, one with silicone pads, one with screws, etc. They are great little storage containers ESPECIALLY because the lids don't pop off (I used to keep the screws in the top of my little tool box I kept all my electronics/handheld tools in, bumped it wrong, spent 15 minutes picking up and checking for every screw that I spilled into my carpet... especially when it comes to smaller screws.)
They are extremely helpful, and come in various sizes too. (Plus for the more eco-friendly, its re-purposing! Haha)
Your videos have a high production value and it bothers me that you dont have a lot of views :/
I personally am very interested in getting into soldering and modding consoles... but I dont know how to start.. I bought a soldering Iron, broke consoles,multimeter etc.. But I have close to none knowledge of how to start :( Do you think you could make a basic "How to get into Modding" video in which you show an easy mod like changing the LED from a console or maybe making more in there to make a console look cool? That would be very helpfull. Thank you very much and keep up the good work! (Sorry for grammar mistakes, I am german)
Thanks for the kind words! I'm always open to ideas for new videos, and I'll definitely keep your suggestion in mind!
This Does Not Compute i agree with his suggestion, i'm very much interested in getting into this. I have made minor repairs with consoles and controllers but would love to get into soldering and more intermediate and advanced areas. a beginner's video would be fantastic. also, i was wondering if you had a suggestion for any sort of reading material? As far as computer science i suppose... learning about motherboards and of the like.. the inner workings. thanks for the great content and i'm definitely subbing!
brrnay Not sure what to suggest when it comes to reading material. Textbooks go out of date quickly when it comes to topics about computing technology, so your best bet is to both get hands-on (build your own machine, volunteer for a nonprofit that repairs computers, etc.) and follow sites and channels that get geeky with the details (AnandTech and Ars Technica are good for computing tech, and the RUclips channel EEVblog is great for learning general electrical engineering). Stay tuned for that soldering tutorial video too ;-) Good luck!
You all probably dont give a damn but does any of you know a tool to log back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid lost the login password. I love any assistance you can give me!
@Weston Jaxx Instablaster ;)
Stumbled across this video while looking for solder recommendations. Your recommendation was one that I had been looking at, but incidentally I was surprised that I ended up discovering what those plastic pry pieces are called, and I ended up getting me a pack of spudgers. Thanks!
+ChicagoPaul2010 Spudgers are seriously useful tools! Thanks for watching!
I would say that a good tool to have would be the fine point "pick and scratch all tool set". They are small enough to fit any where, pull up on very hard to lift ribbons and connectors. As well as scratching up corrosion, plus it doubles over as a nice stabing weapon of some one decides to mess with you.
A very handy tool to have is a third hand, it helps with all the tricky posicioning issues one might run with small pieces.
And a magnetic tray.
For console and small electronic repair, a magnetic screw tray is invaluable. I cannot tell you how many hours I've spent looking for a tiny screw that fell on the floor. Also, if you're really getting into modding repair, a ratcheting multibit screwdriver will pay off in the long run. I have on, and it really saves on wrist pain and can help get some good tension when I need it.
I recently bought the Hakko FX-901 and it's been fantastic for repairing some of the small components inside my old, broken GBA. Thanks for the recommendation!
Having a "third arm" has come in handy for me. Something with flexible arms with alligator clips attached to them for those pesky soldering jobs
I bought a cheap set of files to help me with a case mod for a famicom NSF player cartridge. I knew I'd pretty much only use them for that so I got the cheapest ones I could find, but if you're serious with case mods like adding video jacks, built-in screens, extra audio jacks, holes for buttons, etc., then good set of files will come in super handy. It's a hell of a lot better than just sandpaper.
One weird way of removing residue on plastic is something I've found out this past year. If you take a price tag off the plastic part of a cartridge or console (not off a label, that's a different situation) and you see residue on the plastic, but you don't want to use something like Goo Gone or Goof Off which may damage some plastics, you can take a small length of scotch tape and using the glue on the tape you apply half the tape to the residue while holding the other half and slowly and methodically press it against and remove it quickly and at a shallow angle and it will take the residue off cleanly. It's glue on glue after all. You may have to use several pieces of tape to do this completely as the tape fills up with crap and becomes less effective, but in the end you'll remove all traces of the residue and the plastic will look like it never had a sticker on it. You save your plastic from chemical melting and you remove the residue cleanly. I have several cartridges that look so clean you would have never known they had stickers all over them.
+Ryan Martinez Just heat the label with a hair dryer for 30 seconds. This heats up the old glue and the sticker should peel right off.
I had no idea goo gone could damage plastic? do you know if there is a lit somewhere of what consoles and cartridges it is not safe for? I also just recently got a PSP disc that has super glue on it and plan on using goo gone to hopefuly repair it. couldn't damage it any more than it already is i would think. someone broke the plastic shell around it and tried super glueing it back but they did a sloppy job and got a good bit on the disc.
I just discovered your Channel while researching gba front lights and want to say you make excellent videos. There are a couple of video game modding/repairing channels out there but yours has become one of my favorites. My love of modding consoles (especially handhelds and the dreamcast) has led me to pursue electrical engineering and your channel is a great source of information and ideas. Keep up the good work
Thank you!
I use Fluke multimeters at home and work. Both are almost 20 years old and still work great!
That special Pikachu GBC is the first Game Boy I ever got and I still have it with me 🥰
your obsession for hand tools just earned you another subscriber! As I cant get enought of all the precision screwdriver sets out there myself. The two main companies I purchase are ifixit and wiha. I just bought ifixits' 64 bit kit, and hope to soon purchase theeir newer pro tech tool kit, as I already own the older version I'd like to stay in the loop with the latest and greatest, not to mention the new screwdriver in the 64 bit kit is totally worth the purchase. as for my wiha set I tend to use them when I'm faced with recessed screws in laptops that my ifixit drivers cant reach, since those 4mm bits are limited in length. By the way excellent video!
I do a lot of pc and phone/tablet repairs and recently bought the new 2016 ifixit business toolkit and it's one of the best investments I've ever made. it's pretty expensive at $250usd but if you repair a lot of things, especially on the go, it's tough to beat the kit. the multi-meter in it is pretty garbage though so I'd pick up a different one of those, but everything else is quality.
I found this electric solder sucker for $20. I didnt expect much for that price, but its honestly one of the best tools i have. It makes desoldering faster and more efficient. I'd recommend giving a try. One thing to keep in mind that you have to clean this thing often, but for $20 its worth it.
its on ebay under
"NEW 40W DESOLDERING IRON PUMP solder remover, soldering sucker vacuum desolder"
Omg, this old ifixit kit looks just, GoRgEoUs
love the big wave on the wall
you have been a good teacher to me but i've never done this before so i want to try and make my own little console i hope your videos can help me get there
I really enjoyed this video, your knowledge and presentation are top-notch! I am interested in getting into modding and I really appreciate your advice on soldering irons and multimeters.
One item I really like to use on the cleaning side (not really a "tool" per se) is a cordless air duster. I bought an OPOLAR air duster on Amazon a few weeks ago on sale for about $50 CAD and at $10 CAD per can of compressed air the air duster has already paid for itself.
Great video, thanks again, I am now a new subscriber and I look forward to watching your videos!
Nice video. Plane and simple. As for Digital volt meters, Fluke has some basic models 113, 114, 115, 116, and 117 or Klein models. True RMS is a nice option to have available. Klein makes some nice precision and regular size screwdrivers. USA made. There are some other excellent brands like xcelite (USA made), wilha, wera, and some Moody model are ok.
You’re video was insightful. I’m planning on getting my first soldering iron and kit. Thank you for the suggestions.
I found the same gameboy in a trade! Same sound problem, I just swapped the insides directly with my other gameboy, but I might swap them back again just use a soldering iron to replace the speaker (so that the original board stays in)
I find having some kapton tape in my tool kit to be very helpful.
digitalomen came here to say this. I use it in place of heat-shrink often as well; just folding it over. It’s heat resistant and is the industry standard for taping electronics.
awesome to see you found a rea deal unit I hardly see them. my self I build repops and sell them.
I know a lot of people use ice cube tray to keep their tiny screws in order during disessembly. Pretty useful, just don't bump it and send them all flying.
I used to also be an certified Apple repair technician. Apple calls that exact spudger you show in your video a "Black stick".
I’m trying to find out what’s the proper gauge of solder for modding a Gameboy and similar small electronics.
Great video. I’m just getting started and got videos are helping a lot. Thankyou
You got one thing right about multimeters...I know of one person that was not trained correctly and hooked up one side to 120v hot leg on a transformer then went to primary voltage 12Kv and the multimeter exploded
Oh I love your room! Or office? Or ...?
It's a enclosed space
Yo this was a stellar video, as a newbie I feel like I got a lot of great advice!
Great video, thanks. I really appreciated, and video and voice quality are very good!
Cullen you're such a cool guy! I love watching your videos because it's obvious you know your stuff. I'd love to be able to do some of the stuff that you do.
Great video, have you considered doing a video on just the multimeter and a little tutorial?
I really like your videos bro! such much cool info!
Hey, how about talking about all the different kinds of solder and sizes, brands. Also what about electrical items like resistors,capacitors,voltage regulators as far as brands go and quality.
If you know your going to do low voltage a cheap meter is fine but for me I need it to do every function to you can come up with in the modding scene
Another great video. Seriously thank you.
I have a thought regarding soldering with liquid flux. A lot of it comes in a little jar or bottle with a brush built into the cap. Not a big deal, but it can be a little bit messy.
I work in a craft store and we sell brush pens that are an empty pen meant to hold your choice of water, ink or high flow acrylic paint, and they do come with a cap. I wonder if one of these would be a good solution for applying flux with a little more control?
Great video bro, thanks
what about air spray o something like that for electronics, or cleaners. And something for cards contact maintenance and cleaning
just found you...very nice...love the info
Awesome video! My question is what do you suggest for cleaning devices? I know toothbrush+warm water, but what about harder stains? Cables? Advice on discoloring?
For tougher stains, I've found those "magic eraser" scrubby pads to work quite well -- but never use one of those green scouring pads, as it will leave obvious scratches in plastic. For cables, I just wrap a disinfecting wipe around the cable, and slide it along. The only discoloring I've had to deal with is the typical plastic yellowing, which a Retr0bright treatment does a pretty good job of tackling. Good luck!
What about ventilation for soldering? Do you have a small fan to whisk away the smoke or a fume extractor with a filter?
If you only need to do a quick solder joint or two, I don't think it's really necessary -- but if I start up a marathon soldering session, I'll set up a small fan.
Will you ever show us a marathon of you soldering several things?
great vid...keep them up!
Great vid man ! :)
Amazing video thanks! I'm just getting into repairing consoles so it's going to help me out, also what are you thoughts on an craft cutting board to work on and soldering paste?
Some kind of protector for your work surface is always a good idea, and yes, those craft cutting mats work quite well. As for solder paste, as in the kind used to hot-air flow surface-mount components on a circuit board, you'll never need it for repairing consoles unless you get into ridiculously advanced stuff (which involves ridiculously expensive tools). If you mean solder flux, which is used to help clean solder joints and help solder flow better, then it's definitely handy stuff to have around. Cheers!
The nes had gamebit too
i use hot glue and crocodile clips regularly for small electric repair.
Very helpful
I have seen people use heat guns for some screen removals on. Do you have a preferred heat gun?
I haven't run across a make/model that I think is substantially better than others. Mine is an inexpensive Milwaukee unit from Home Depot -- I think it was $20 or so, and works well enough.
I also just got into videogame system repair. I love the video very helpful!! I also was curious on heatguns. For using on ps3 systems. What would be best temp to use. And also what solder do you use normal or prefer to use. Thanks your awesome
Valorie Ritter I assume you're referring to using the heat gun to reflow the solder under the CPU/GPU on the PS3? I've never seen an actual temperature recommendation for that procedure, it's always been more of a "turn the heat gun to high and hold it over the chip for X minutes" kind of thing. If I ever get a broken PS3 or Xbox 360 I may try to make a video of the process (though I can't guarantee it would end in success ;-)
As for solder, I've been using the lead-free stuff for a long time now. It's handy to keep a couple of different thicknesses on hand, though I find myself using thin solder more often than thick. Good luck!
How do you use a multimeter? Are there any cheap alternatives to the one you use that still work well?
So what kind of wire is needed for a simple mod? Like I want to play master system games on my Nomad and i have everything except the wire and I want a small wire. Not a cluster of wires in a cord.
What should I use to clean corroded contact pins in the gameboy cartridges?
Thank you. I try to fix broken nintendo games and gameboys on eBay and then sell them for more than I bought them for. So thanks for helping me on my way.
anyone know any other good multimeter and soldering iorns? the ones listed can't find in uk
What microphone do you use?
That saxophone though...
thanks! great info! where did you get the gameboy?
Why is it that nobody uses ESD protection
can you please post a link to your reccomended gamebit and triwing drivers? mine are wearing out and the gamebits are a bit difficult for getting into the longer holes on consoles o i would like a good quality set. also another thing i find usefull is a hot air gun. mine is on my soldering station so it is handy when i need it and i like it for keeping things neat and not shorting out without needing hot glue. it just looks messy to me.
try blue electrical tape it does not leave as much goo
hi, The best guide that I have read was on Volt daddy (i did a google) I bet its the most helpful info on batteries and this type of that i have found.
Hi Colin, what gauge(s) wire do you keep in your kit? Specifically for modding a gameboy pocket or DMG. Thanks!
I find that 28 gauge seems to work well for most Game Boy mods.
Where do you buy these gameboys?
carlos f Delgado I know game stop no longer sells them...look up other game stores or pawn shops...I get mine from garage sales tho..I usually pay 5$..just paid 19$ for PS original 14games 2controllers 2extension cords and yes reg cords ohhh and a memory card..and yep it works!...sales man..sales
👊
What year is that old Mac on your bookcase from?
+LAWLabama YTP The Mac Color Classic (the beige one on top) is from 1993. It wasn't all that powerful even when it was new, but it's a fairly uncommon model and I really like its design. I've had it for about 15 years now.
+This Does Not Compute Yeah, it's cool-looking, looks just like the 128k in the video. I want one. Great channel, by the way.
7:30 Not to mention Pentalobes in Apple products ...
A lot of what is said here is mostly just marketing garbage. You don't need a spudger to open a freakin gameboy. We already know your partnership with Hakko. You pressured your viewers to buy a 100 dollar multimeter when you know damn well a 5 dollar one will last years.
To be clear: I have no "partnership" with Hakko, iFixIt, Hioki, or any other tool manufacturers. I have never been compensated by any of these companies in any way.
You know what. Hakko is a good brand, but when you went into your bit where you would need a spudger to open a gameboy (even a sticky one), you sort of do have to admit you were being a bit ridiculous and questionable. You know what, even if you did have a partnership, I was being overreact. Nothing is wrong with sponsors as long as you provide high quality videos or even low quality videos. WHO KNOWS