Re: My A2 Hardware Projects

["Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Polymorph wrote:

> This whole project was essentially "can this software engineer do this
> hardware project". And I didn't want to spend a lot of money if the
> answer was going to be "no". Now that I know I can do it, I'll improve
> on the aesthetics...

Very nice, Mike!  I applaud your willingness to go outside
your "comfort zone" and learn new skills.  Your soldering
skills will no doubt come in handy in the future.

A tool you will frequently find useful when soldering is a
"solder sucker" that, using either a spring-loaded piston or
a rubber bulb, can quickly suck molten solder through a nozzle
and away from a joint or connection.  It makes cleaning up
"used" holes for new components very easy and efficient.

For smaller cleanup jobs, another very useful tool is a spool
of fluxed copper braid.  This can be pressed against a joint
with unwanted solder using the hot iron, and, when the solder
melts, it will be sucked into the braid by capillary action,
leaving the joint tinned but cleaned of old solder.

Frequently, either or both of these solder removal techniques
will leave the old part almost free, and gently wiggling its
leads with needlenose pliers will allow it to be removed without
stress to the circuit board.

I'm sure you'll have lots of interesting and fun experiences
with hardware now that you've broken the ice!  ;-)

-michael

New, faster SUDOKU v2.0 solver for Apple II's!
Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

"The wastebasket is our most important design
tool--and it's seriously underused."