n64 questions and worklog

[ishowernaked]

Hey guys and girls of forums.benheck.com, i am starting a portable n64 and i would like to post my questions here and if i get enough money, i will also put my worklog here. so far i have my pth08080 waz and i have ordered my controller. i need an lcd and an n64 and a case. if you have either an lcd or an n64 for sale go ahead an post it here. i work kind of slowly because i have almost no money at the moment and i get about 20 dollars a week, so i will probably take longer than most of you. by the way this will be my first portablized console, so wish me luck.

My fist question is this:

How do i keep the boards seperated once i stick them into the case? i have pondered this over and over and i want something thin and strong so i don't get any shorts, i think i heard someone say you could use acetate sheets? anyone else heard of this, and if you have what is it?

[argelfraster]

Electrical tape works.

[ishowernaked]

Electrical tape works.

simpler than i expected. THANKS

NEXT QUESTION:

i started trying to solder my capacitor and resistor onto my ti part and the solder isn't sticking to the solder pads, am i doing something wrong? I'm using a 30 watt iron and some 60/40 solder. my little pads are turning brown so i stopped because i don't feel like ruining the part.

[Haunted360]

How do i keep the boards seperated once i stick them into the case? i have pondered this over and over and i want something thin and strong so i don't get any shorts, i think i heard someone say you could use acetate sheets? anyone else heard of this, and if you have what is it?

What I was going to do is cut a out the correct size for the PCB to isolate it, by using some A4 binders / folios. There cheep, and mostly because they have that thin plastic on them.

Dont use the plastic sleeves that you put paper into, because they are to thin and with the right heat - they will melt.

I started trying to solder my capacitor and resistor onto my ti part and the solder isn't sticking to the solder pads, am i doing something wrong? I'm using a 30 watt iron and some 60/40 solder. my little pads are turning brown so i stopped because i don't feel like ruining the part.

You need Flux. All you have to do it add a drop to the pad and heat it up. It should remove / lift the stuck chemicals and such. I relly forgot what it was called.

Watch this video at my Forums, Haunted Games. It is the last one in the list (Or watch them all which it good)

http://www.google.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=52

It will show you how to solder professionaly and learn a few tricks.


Or, if you dont have flux. Remove all the solder you can from the pad and scratch it using a X-ACTO Knife, Stanly Knife or even better, Sand Paper will work the best.

but buy all the stuff you need to get started. It will help to have the right tools at ready...


Thanks and I hope this helps you out with your portable (As this is my first portable in the works to - See Signature)

[bassmasta]

I would go with electrical tape. You can be sure it's nonconductive.
And yeah, use flux. The solder is oxidizing (like rust).

[lucidPerspective]

It seems a bit time consuming to tape a whole N64 board with electrical tape, and also the N64 get's quite hot which will melt the glue on the tape..

I'm also pondering the problem of separating the boards inside my case.. ..I'm just wondering what other options are there? preferably something that can be cut to the correct size and put/fastened over the board

[eagle5953]

Could always secure a board to each half of the case, I suppose. As long as they aren't touching, nothing actually needs to be between them. Better for cooling/airflow, too.

[lucidPerspective]

definitely better for airflow but not for my paranoia .. is there some kind of thin non-flammable, non-conductive, porous sponge that could let air pass through easily and not melt or conduct electricity?

[ishowernaked]

I started trying to solder my capacitor and resistor onto my ti part and the solder isn't sticking to the solder pads, am i doing something wrong? I'm using a 30 watt iron and some 60/40 solder. my little pads are turning brown so i stopped because i don't feel like ruining the part.

You need Flux.



Or, if you dont have flux. Remove all the solder you can from the pad and scratch it using a X-ACTO Knife, Stanly Knife or even better, Sand Paper will work the best.

but buy all the stuff you need to get started. It will help to have the right tools at ready...


Thanks and I hope this helps you out with your portable (As this is my first portable in the works to - See Signature)

thanks buddy. that helps out a bunch. the pads started getting all nasty and sticky, so i'm gonna get some flux.

[ishowernaked]

definitely better for airflow but not for my paranoia .. is there some kind of thin non-flammable, non-conductive, porous sponge that could let air pass through easily and not melt or conduct electricity?

sounds like, maybe you should use a sponge. women use these special, soft, porous spongy round thingy's for make up that you can buy at wal-mart that actually might work.

[Haunted360]

I would go with electrical tape. You can be sure it's nonconductive.
And yeah, use flux. The solder is oxidizing (like rust).

Thats the word I was looking for!!!

Oxidizing


Thanks

[ishowernaked]

okay, time for an update. so far i've:

started working on a case. i just used an old, broken dvd player that was lying around (actually my dad won it in a contest.... wasn't too happy about that) and trimmed it down to size, then used a drill to drill holes all around my screen area because i don't have a dremel. (i shall prove dremels are not necessarily necessary). then after about an hour of filing i had an almost perfect rectangle

by the way, any of you guys know what size bit i should use to drill holes for the a/b and c buttons? i haven't gotten a controller yet, but i want to drill my holes before it comes in.

these are some pictures. i don't know what i should use to smooth out the case, i know most people use epoxy putty, but i was wondering if wood filler would work.

( yes, i know i have chubby fingers, now stop laughing )


i will probably get the console in next week if all goes according to plan.

any of you guys have any suggestions for a paint job? i don't want just one solid color, i want something that will stand out and look awesome.

then i soldered up my pth08080waz. burnt myself. i pulled the solder like four or five times, so i had to start over and over and over and over.

if any of you guys have any cheap, inexpensive screens or n64's to sell, go ahead and pm me, or if you're lazy go ahead and post right here.

another question: do i need both the analog and the d-pad? are there any games that use both?

can i use a couple of these batteries?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Li-Po-Lithium-Polym ... 1455wt_911" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Professor]

any of you guys have any suggestions for a paint job? i don't want just one solid color, i want something that will stand out and look awesome.

I would give you some ideas, but the best ones are always the ones you think of yourself. Think of your favorite video game or video game character, and try to find an image or set of colors that have some significance in the game, and use that as your portable's paint scheme.

another question: do i need both the analog and the d-pad? are there any games that use both?

If I were you, I would definitely use both. I can't think of any games off the top of my head that require both, but I'm sure there are some. Besides, after putting so much time, money and effort into a portable, you will want as few limitations as possible.

[limpport]

If I were you, I would definitely use both. I can't think of any games off the top of my head that require both, but I'm sure there are some. Besides, after putting so much time, money and effort into a portable, you will want as few limitations as possible.

You could play Perfect Dark with the D-Pad and analog stick.

[ishowernaked]

i've been working on the case so it looks a little better right now. attached the fourth side to it, just need more epoxy. btw that stuff's pretty gnarly according to the label.

Spoiler:

do any of you guys get diarrhea immediately after using it?

i really don't want to cover that whole side with all the holes for the ports with epoxy so i'll probably use some other piece of plastic then epoxy that to it.

anyone know what size bits to use for the button holes? i'll be using a super pad for this, does that help?

and i think i will be putting in the d-pad. better safe than sorry.

@ professor. thanks for your first post.
i think i'm gonna use four of these for shoulder buttons. i want to use double z's for a symmetrical appearance.

update: sent out money order for my controller today, found a battery to use, (can't pay for it until thursday), and almost done with case. all i need now is an n64 and a psone screen.