Tools needed?

[zscott]

I am going to create my first portable, a NOAC. It will be simplistic but i will definitely need to pick up some tools first.

I have read up on some on the essentials but I'm not sure if I will need all of them for this beginner portable and if someone could help me identify what I will and wont need would be incredibly helpful.

Also anything that is needed and unique for creating a NOAC.

[SpongeBuell]

All systems are basically the same, except for the genuine Nintendo systems that need a different kind of screwdriver (NOACs are fine with a regular phillips).

As for tools you might not already have, generally a soldering iron and a good hot glue gun would be all you need. Heck, I've used liquid nails on a few projects, and it's pretty decent, too. For your soldering iron, a 15w pencil tip should be fine, easily available from radio shack. Anything hotter has the potential to damage your hardware. Oh, and one of those little desoldering bulbs, the rubber balls with the plastic tip. They can come in handy.

Also, not really a tool, but you're going to need wire. Personally, I like the kind that's a single thick thread under the coating, rather than the kind that's a bunch of thin threads together. The latter can easily separate, especially if you're a new solderer, and spread out. The single-thread stuff just stays there. Then again, for stuff like controllers (where you have several wires for each button/direction) are great with ribbon cable from a computer, like an IDE cable. Yes, it's threaded, but it's very clean to work with. cut the plugs off, and peel the wires you need like string cheese. They stay together that way, not too big, and you don't have to worry about 5 wires all over the place just for your DPad.

[eurddrue]

wow, someone else uses a desoldering bulb, not just me!

[Tibia]

I found that I had a very hard time melting solder with a 15w. I by far prefer a 25w or 40w.


And those desoldering irons with the bulb built in kick the pants off just a bulb. I'll never go back to using the bulb.

[eurddrue]

I found that I had a very hard time melting solder with a 15w. I by far prefer a 25w or 40w.


And those desoldering irons with the bulb built in kick the pants off just a bulb. I'll never go back to using the bulb.

I don't like those, they take forever to heat up. I rarely use mine unless I'm going psycho about desoldering everthing off of a board.

[Ben Cebhrem]

My desoldering iron (with the pump) heats up faster than my soldering iron. Never did understand why.

Anyhow, as far as what you need:

A soldering iron, and practice soldering/desoldering.
Copper braid for desoldering, or a desoldering iron.
Screwdrivers, flat and phillips head. On occasion, in general, you may need special tipped screwdrivers, but not for a NOAC.

A screen.
Batteries- your choice what kind, how many, etc.
The NOAC.
Case modding supplies- far too extensive a list for here, there is a forum for it though with tons of threads.
Hot glue, maybe some superglue or epoxy.

What you don't need:
A llama.
A car that does 60 miles per hour in reverse.
A super high I.Q. (though it can't hurt to have it).
I think you get where I'm going with that....

As always, research is the biggest thing you will need however. Research and understand your subject matter, and it will be an easier project for you. It may even allow you to pull something off that you didn't think you could do, or was possible.

[Kyo]

determination. If you have enough with it, you can build the entire portable using a rock as only tool

other things that might help are, but are not limited to:
-a soldering iron
-a desoldering iron
-a multimeter
-a camera (for taking pictures of your progress!)
-a hot glue gun
-a helping hand or even two
-electrical tape