soldering practice

[jaytee]

alright, i am finally learning how to use a soldering iron as i prepare to do surgery on my sega.

can anyone suggestions some fun or cool projects/things to build so i can work on my soldering skills? i've been practicing on some random sega game i tore apart, but i'd like to do something a little more productive.

any suggestions (and links) would be appreciated.

[Sparkfist]

You can try the old standard mod of putting LEDs on something.

Otherwise I'd say look for something thats broken and try messing around with that. Do things like desolder chips, add wires and simple thing like that.

[makuraken]

Or if you want to actually build something, why not try to remake something? For example I took a really old VHS that was broken(I was about 10 years old maybe), cut up the boards (snapping them apart), then took to get the chips off the boards. Later, I tried to put it back together (2 years later). It still did not work but it was fun. You should make a project for yourself. Take a really old VHS tape player that your family doesnt use, open it up. Try to make the boards a different shape and size. I say really old VHS player BECAUSE they used some big chips and such in those things.

[jaytee]

Or if you want to actually build something, why not try to remake something? For example I took a really old VHS that was broken(I was about 10 years old maybe), cut up the boards (snapping them apart), then took to get the chips off the boards. Later, I tried to put it back together (2 years later). It still did not work but it was fun. You should make a project for yourself. Take a really old VHS tape player that your family doesnt use, open it up. Try to make the boards a different shape and size. I say really old VHS player BECAUSE they used some big chips and such in those things.

Well, i'm currently at college, so the useless electronics is pretty much limited to my box of crap Genesis games. I might find some old computer stuff, but I'll check the thrift stores for something old to take apart.

I might try Sparkfist's idea of some sort of LED mod, as I do have quite a few working electronic items that would look cool with LEDs.

[jellywerker]

led mode your xbox controllers to start, I did it to mine and it looks cool, gettingthe plastic jewel off without harming it can be a pain though, lots of tips on how to do it at xboxscene.com

[G-force]

OR a really cool idea is to take a cruddy PlayStation controller (the kind with no analog sticks) and take a TV remote (you can buy a universal one at Wal-Mart I think) and you wire it so that when you press a button on the controller it turns the TV off, or turns the volume off, etc.
Once I get my own TV I'm gonna do this

[peppers]

OR a really cool idea is to take a cruddy PlayStation controller (the kind with no analog sticks) and take a TV remote (you can buy a universal one at Wal-Mart I think) and you wire it so that when you press a button on the controller it turns the TV off, or turns the volume off, etc.
Once I get my own TV I'm gonna do this

that might be a little hard for a first project

[peppers]

this sould help you out just go to this site and pick something simple to make

http://www.hallbar.com/eprojects.html

[xxxeagle]

I thought of that before but i dont have a controlley that i want to tear apart.

[sam]

How many watts should i use for a soldering iron im buying one soon , and im looking for specs for it.

[gannon]

15-30 should work fine

[SpongeBuell]

I'd stick with 15, since you can fry components if they are too hot.

[sam]

Ok, cause i dont want to melt stuff..

[JackFrost22]

yes you do
solder

[sam]

Ok, cause i dont want to melt stuff..

Melt stuff that will break it rather.