Re: Another ZipGSX Mod Success!

[Polymorph <polymorph69@hotmail.com>]

On Oct 8, 8:17 am, Steven Hirsch <snhir...@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

> That _perfect_ tool would be one of those heated razorblade modeling cutters I
> remember from the days of polystyrene model cars.
>
> Polymorph, what did you use to cut these?  Can you add some advice on the part
> of the job?  I'd really hate to see anyone slice through one or more of the
> little traces by an overshooting knife blade.  A sharp pair of miniature
> diagonal cutters might do the trick, though.

hmmm....it is probably best if I do *not* mention what I used for fear
of shaming myself.   ;-)    Having said that, I used a sawing tool
(!!) as opposed to a cutting tool (eg. a knife or blade) as I wanted
the cut to be as slow and as controlled as possible. A cutting tool
would be bad because you would need to apply pressure to achieve the
cutting, and this is something you would want to avoid at all costs.
It only takes one slip and your once pride of joy becomes a useless
piece silicon and PCB.

Needless to say, you need to be *very* careful as there are many small
traces running right underneath where you need to cut. I actually cut
the plastic very slowly, checking the progress at regular intervals to
determine my progress. When the plastic was cut sufficiently, I flexed
the plastic until it broke away. I repeated this procedure for all
cuts. I figured it was better to have a slightly uneven cut as opposed
to a cut trace! After all, all you really need is to get to the solder
points below. If you were really keen you could tidy the cuts up after
the fact, but I didn't think it necessary.

Now, I do not propose that my method is the best, as I'm sure that
some people have far more experience at this type of procedure. I
would actually like to hear what others would use to perform the
cutting as safely as possible. Recommendations people?

<disclaimer>
If you try anything that I mention (note the absence of the word
recommend) and kill your board, don't blame me! I have outlined the
procedure that I used because I deemed it to be the safest (but I
could be (and probably am) wrong).
</disclaimer>

There, that disclaimer should save me...   ;-)

cheers,
-p