First DIY Mod - jonniemac V1 Rev 4 from Shapeways - Help!

[bakerb87]

Hi all,

I am about to embark on building my first mod. I have ordered a box, buttons, and bracket set from shapeways. It is a jonniemac v1 rev 4. I have ordered all the parts necessary: Keystone 18650 battery holder, fatdaddy 510 connector and plastic screws as well as the correct wiring. Thing is, I haven't used a soldering iron in quite some time. I am wondering whether I should

a) buy a soldering iron and practice and go at it. If so, does anyone have any suggestions for a good soldering iron and/or any tips? And if so, any suggestions as how to best practice for this kind of soldering. I'd like to go this way, and I think I could do it, but I am a realist and would also entertain option B for my first mod.

or

b) since I am not proficient with a soldering iron as of now, should I go about finding someone else to do this for me? Does anyone live in the San Diego area and want to help? If it is suggested I go this route I'd like to watch and learn if possible so I can build my second mod myself.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

 

[Phone Guy]

Weller makes the best soldering irons in my opinion. They have models that start at around $10 and go up to hundreds... If you live near a Fry's Electronics, they also carry a hakko (maybe other brands) variable wattage stations, where you can adjust the heat of the iron.

Soldering is not hard, but I've also been doing it for a long time. You're this far in (expense wise) I'd say go get you a Weller iron from Fry's...don't go crazy, I think a 25w $16 should be fine...

FRYS.com | Coopertools

I personally like the thin silver solder from Radio Shack $6.49 Silver-Bearing Solder (1 Oz.) : Soldering Tools & Supplies | RadioShack.com
I think that's it, its really thin and melts easy and fast... you'll have to see, fry's may have some that thin too. (thick solder would make the job harder for me)

You may or may not need flux, its cheap too - just as well grab some of that... that helps solder stick... it's called flux paste.

I'd say go spend your $30 more dollars and experiment a little... you might even find a little electrical project to play and test - I've seen them somewhere (maybe fry's?) were you get all the components to build a simple little lighted circuit, or blinking circuit... Just to get your feet wet. That will give you a feel for what lies ahead...... If doing any of those projects intimidate you, find someone to do the build for you.

 

[blueGrassTubb]

I bought a couple a "Practical Soldering" electronic kits for $10 each. I also picked up a nice soldering station on Amazon. It looks like just the combo to get some practice with a kit designed to teach how to solder and get on the road with MOD making. There are a couple different kits and many soldering iron options ranging in price

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I30QBW/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_ZHBDtb1VX81CD

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/Elenco-Practical-Soldering-Parts-Kit/dp/B0002LUALG?

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/Elenco-Practical-Soldering-Project-Kit/dp/B0002LUAL6?


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[jonniemac]

Hey, thanks for giving the new V1 a shot and I hope you enjoy the build. Don't get too stressed, we all have to start somewhere with soldering. A little bit of practice and patience and everything will be just fine.

I just use a basic Weller soldering iron that you can pick up at Amazon.

Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station - Soldering Iron - Amazon.com

Here is a link to the solder I use.

Amazon.com: Kester Pocket Pack Solder 60/40 0.031 0.50 oz. Tube: Home Improvement

It's a good idea to pick up some flux especially for soldering the battery contacts and 510 connection.

MG Chemicals 835 Liquid Rosin Flux, Non Corrosive and Non Conductive residue: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Here are a couple of photo albums of builds or builds in progress that may have some additional useful information. Some of it will apply and some of it won't.

Early V1 - America Mod

Early V2

There are a lot of good folks on here who can offer guidance and there are some good videos about soldering on youtube as well. Don't have a link handy at the moment but if you search for the term "soldering" quite a few options will be available.

 

[Phone Guy]

Hey Jonnie, any pictures of the v6???

 

[jonniemac]

Hey Jonnie, any pictures of the v6???

I have two right now but they look rough. Tried cerakoting and messed up the hardener so had to sand them down. Hope to redo them soon.

A friend in the DNA builds group on Facebook posted his build of a V6. I'll see if I can grab and upload the pics later.

 

[Phone Guy]

I have two right now but they look rough. Tried cerakoting and messed up the hardener so had to sand them down. Hope to redo them soon.

A friend in the DNA builds group on Facebook posted his build of a V6. I'll see if I can grab and upload the pics later.

Yeah, or point me to that facebook page... (I really need to learn how to use facebook )

 

[blueGrassTubb]

I have two right now but they look rough. Tried cerakoting and messed up the hardener so had to sand them down. Hope to redo them soon.

A friend in the DNA builds group on Facebook posted his build of a V6. I'll see if I can grab and upload the pics later.

You wouldn't happen to be designing some stuff for the SX350 would you?

I'm building with the Hammond 1590A. I'm looking at the faceplate by Bapgood, but I'd like some other options. If you have one in the works, I'd definitely be interested in checking it out before I make my final purchases.

 

[jonniemac]

I picked up two SX350's. Still deciding what I want to do with them. Have a couple ideas but haven't really started on anything yet. The group is called "DNA Builds", you'll have to search for it and request entry since it's a closed group. I don't know if you can get away posting a facebook link on here or not.

Here are a couple of V6 pics of a build done by a friend.

 

[Phone Guy]

Looks awesome. You have to take it apart (unscrew) to replace the battery right? I go thru usually two 2600mAh VTC5's a day
I need something that is easy to swap out drained batteries for freshly charged ones.

 

[jonniemac]

Looks awesome. You have to take it apart (unscrew) to replace the battery right? I go thru usually two 2600mAh VTC5's a day
I need something that is easy to swap out drained batteries for freshly charged ones.

Thanks, yeah these have user serviceable 18650 batteries but use the Evolv charging board. You wouldn't want to swap batteries all the time. Just build a couple of them! Lol

 

[bakerb87]

Thanks everyone! Gonna look through everything y'all suggested and make some purchases