Can I slice apart an original controller?

NR1224 · Post by **NR1224** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:13 pm

After having and extremely hard time acquiring 4.5mm tact switches, I have come to the conclusion that I should use an original controller. I am currently under the impression that i can simply cut the controller apart and "connect the dots". But I figured I should ask first, so...
1. Will a dremel tool work to cut apart the circut board? if not, what tool do you suggest?(scissors?)
2. Am I full of crap, or is this possible?
3. Is there a guide or sticky link that you would suggest?

Thanks in advance,and I'm sorry if there is an old guide or post that I missed that I didn't find with the search functions.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:39 pm

1: Xacto knife. Score it really deep (And through any traces), then snap it.
2: In hindsight, this should have been the first question as being the second, its already been answered by the first.
3: I dunno, personally.

Tacts can be found in old fax machines, though. Look at a jobsite's dumpster, or look for broken ones online. I got mine from my dads jobsite. I ended up with over 30 tacts out of it. Twelve of them are soft-top tacts, too.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:40 pm

possible, dremel should work, might be a big overkill, though.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:45 pm

Kyo wrote:possible, dremel should work, might be a big overkill, though.

I wouldn't use a dremel for that, personally. As its a rotational cutting DISK, it can lift traces pretty badly.

EDIT: Whoops... fixed a really bad typo with the word in bold letters...

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:50 pm

as how I said, might be a bit overkill. I doubt it would lift traces, though. Might be wrong, never tried.

NR1224 · Post by **NR1224** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:00 am

thanks for the suggestions, i ended up finding the switches after all, but i might end up using an original controller anyways(less soldering

)