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Soldering For Non-Solderers?

Posted by Cliff on from the don't-touch-the-hot-metal-thingy dept.

DanielMarkham asks: "A few months ago I bought a 4GB USB drive from jmtek Online. I really liked the drive -- heck, 4 GBs were awesome! But over time, using it in my tablet PC, the connectors started loosening up between the USB plug and the IC. Eventually, the part that plugs into the computer came loose from the rest of the drive. So, now I've got six-hundred bucks worth of useless plastic. I don't know anything about circuit board repair, so I'm in a bit of a fix. As I understand it, the 90-day return period has timed-out, and there's not much I can do in the way of a refund. But all of my data is still on there, I just need some way to re-connect the USB plug to the circuit board. I guess that would involve soldering? Do you guys have any idea how I could get the USB drive fixed without spending a lot of time or money?"

8 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Re:DON'Ts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Don't think that you're going to use a $14.99 30-watt iron from Radio Shack to do it, either.

    Heck, no. You'll need at least a 45-watt soldering iron with a nice, fat tip.

    I suppose you could buy a soldering station with an isolated tip for $150 bucks or so. But with a little practice and a cardboard shield with a cutout, you can use that 45-watt iron to gently flick the solder in the general direction of the broken circuit trace.

  2. Here's what you need to do: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Get an arc welder, some gloves and a blast helmet. After that, it will practically repair itself. Trust me on this.

  3. Re:DON'Ts by Rick+the+Red · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've used the soldering tip that came with my propane torch -- I can solder up to five circuit board traces at once with that baby! But you have to remember to turn off the flame before you point it at the circuit :-O

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  4. Re:DON'Ts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    And be sure to use acid-core solder.

  5. Re:Look for a local club... by Deanasc · · Score: 1, Funny

    LUG? Lesbians Until Graduation? Is there nothing those phoney dikes can't handle?

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  6. Re:DON'Ts by tonsofpcs · · Score: 2, Funny

    Only 30/45 watts? My 250 watt Weller works fine for small traces.

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  7. Re:3 iPod minis? by SpinyManiac · · Score: 2, Funny

    Useful advice for those with six ears.

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  8. Re:If you value your data (and your drive.....) by FreshlyShornBalls · · Score: 2, Funny

    I bet you know someone that would do it for a bag of grass or a night of drinking or something along those lines.

    Just might want to make sure they do the soldering BEFORE you "pay".....

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