A topic like this is probably frowned upon here, but...Hi!

[Bluedragon_9151]

My Name is Bluedragon_9151 and I would like to formally introduce myself here at these forums.

I came across what appears to be one of the GREATEST HOBBIES EVER and decided I want in.

After a Few hours of scrolling through these forums, I think I'll be able to do this. I seriously am ready to dedicate some serious time into this.

I have a fair amount of time and money
I Have a sculpture class at my High School (And I feel confident about my ability to sculpt well)
I have a teacher that I think can help me out with all of these technical maps of electricity

I really want to get started making my own portable, preferably a NES or SNES

I just want to get some questions out of the way.

1.) I'm Ready to start, ASAP, however, is there various things i should know? Very common mistakes?
2.) Does anyone know where a good site to learn about this technical circutry map...diagram...things?
3.) I'm completely empty handed, I know a sodering iron is needed, but what else? Any suggestions on brand?
4.) What is the most YOU have spent making a Portable?

Forgive me if this topic is inapropriate here, I'm just extreamly Eager. =D

[Triton]

a great place to start is the stickies at the top of the sections relating to the portable you want to build (in your case snes and NES) as well as the case construction stickies! most of the information you would need is in there.

1.

) I'm Ready to start, ASAP, however, is there various things i should know? Very common mistakes?

read the stickies!

2.) Does anyone know where a good site to learn about this technical circutry map...diagram...things?

google can probably help you with this. juts google "basic electronics tips" or something. or take an electronics course at your local college (if you can)

3.) I'm completely empty handed, I know a sodering iron is needed, but what else? Any suggestions on brand?

a cheap radioshack 25w soldering iron is pretty decent for most soldering jobs, its what i used till i got my nice one from college (and bought my weller on ebay)

4.) What is the most YOU have spent making a Portable?

about 150-175$ in parts, cost depends on what kind of deals you can find on the various parts.

[bacteria]

A lot of us here joined the forum without knowing much on the subject or even how to solder properly. Read through ALL the topics and posts in the NES and SNES section (as that is what you want to do), and technical assistance forum and Google / YouTube for the rest.

[XCVG]

You'll need some desoldering braid, a solder sucker, desoldering iron or other desoldering tool. Small needle nose pliers are good too. Oh yeah and wire strippers. Wire is nice to have too.

[cennar]

then a hack saw a deamel and some good hook ups for screens and power suplys. The rest really isnt that hard.

intros are always good

[SpongeBuell]

technical circutry map...diagram...things?

Really? Nobody wants to answer the easy one?

They're called schematics

Oh, and I might as well bring up the dinosaur that everyone's probably forgotten about by now. http://www.portablesofdoom.org has a good amount of information.

[ShockSlayer]

A lot of us here joined the forum without knowing much on the subject or even how to solder properly. Read through ALL the topics and posts in the NES and SNES section (as that is what you want to do), and technical assistance forum and Google / YouTube for the rest.

Agreed.

SS

[Life of Brian]

Ben Heckendorn's book "Hacking Video Game Consoles" has a fantastic beginner's guide to electronics, soldering, and modding electronics. I started out as a complete beginner but after reading the book and a bit of practice I was able to make a portable SNES without any real problems. I highly recommend it. Check Amazon.com for it.

[XCVG]

Ben Heckendorn's book "Hacking Video Game Consoles" has a fantastic beginner's guide to electronics, soldering, and modding electronics. I started out as a complete beginner but after reading the book and a bit of practice I was able to make a portable SNES without any real problems. I highly recommend it. Check Amazon.com for it.

Meh, I read the book and it was only okay. However this was probably because I had read all the stickies FIRST and ALREADY had a fair knowledge of electronics. It would be great for a complete beginner.

[Life of Brian]

It would be great for a complete beginner.

Like I said, complete beginner The original poster stated that he's a complete beginner. You are right though - it's not rocket science. In fact, it's a pretty simple hobby that anyone can get into if they're willing to research and learn.

[gamecube6]

I agree, the book was great, perfect for beginners.