Where to start (new to modding)

[Digs]

Hey everyone. I've been browsing the Modding forum for a couple days and now I'm interested in trying to build a mod for myself. It looks like a lot of fun and a great learning experience. I know next to nothing about electronics besides what I've gathered the last couple days from this forum. I've never even used a soldering gun or anything like that.

So for someone like me who knows next to nothing about this stuff, where should I begin? Is the Nico-Stick mod a good place to start or is there something even simpler that I should work through first?

 

[MastiffMike]

IMHO, the nicostick is THE place to start. There's great walk-thrus here and on Madvapes site. All required supplies can be had at Madvapes too (most at Radio Shack if you need it today, as Madvapes won't have it to you until tomorrow!)

Flashlight mods are good to do but IMO not as good a starting point as battery box mods are.

 

[tattooer601]

good question,I am interested
I to would like to make myself 1 or 5.....lol

 

[rhdelaney]

I am new to this, myself, but I would say that learning to solder would be step one. Get yourself a cheap soldering pencil and some wire, watch some youtube videos, and try it yourself. When you can get a good, clean solder, a simple box mod is a good way to go. My first one was the other day, and I built it inside a gutted stud finder. Anything for practice is productive, in my opinion.

But the other guys on here know better than I do.

 

[MastiffMike]

Yeah but don't let the soldering deter you! My first ever soldering experience was on my first nicostick and it was suprisingly easy. The hardest part was soldering to the connector but with flux in my solder even that wasn't too challenging.

A Dremel type rotatary tool, some epoxy/glue, a soldering iron/pencil and the parts and you're good to go!

 

[tattooer601]

I have a question....
Can I use 26 gauge enamel wire, to solder to
the components?. t
This question is stopping me from trying any Mod.

 

[Huffheinz]

I just use the wire that comes in the battery box and it works out fine and I agree that the nicostick is the place to start.

 

[5cardstud]

I think the nicostick would be ok but if I were you I would watch the learn to solder video first then it isn't that difficult. If you have any problems just ask and someone will help. Good luck.
PS I have seen enamel wire used before but like poster earlier I would just go with the wire on the box.

 

[jiff]

Soldering really isn't too difficult. By the time you finish your first mod you will be set to make other ones better, and the next better, etc. Most of it is keeping a steady hand and remembering NOT TO GRAB THE TIP.

Honestly the hardest part I've had is with gutting the box out and keeping the holes cleaned up. Buying a simple 3$ dremel grinding stone from walmart did wonders for both of those problems. I didn't bother getting the dremel tool, I just put the stone on my power drill. Works fine.

I also epoxied myself together by accidently getting it on my hand, moved my thumb, and all of a sudden my thumb was attached to my palm.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Most people say start with a nicostick, IMO just find a set up that you like, and start there. If you want to make a juice feeder, go ahead and wing it. If you wanna get a juice feeder, usb charger, and mp3 player, go ahead and try it. Start where you think you will be able to succeed.

 

[Digs]

What is a good soldering iron to get? I've read that I want one with adjustable temp. I've also seen these butane powered torches that work as a soldering gun. Are those any good?

 

[misterD]

i got one at walmart. the only issue i have with it is to solder to aluminum.in that case you need a tool that can reach a higher temperature. but to start a 30wats is ok...

 

[addicted4life]

Madvapes.com sells them for $5 a piece and they have 6ft of solder for $3. Not to mention, madvapes.com is the place to go for modding material.

Disclaimer: I swear to god, I am in no way affiliated with MadVapes.com, I'm only a satisfied customer!

 

[Erik_Bear]

Madvapes.com sells them for $5 a piece and they have 6ft of solder for $3. Not to mention, madvapes.com is the place to go for modding material.

Disclaimer: I swear to god, I am in no way affiliated with MadVapes.com, I'm only a satisfied customer!

The one at madvapes, the solder at least, is a tin and lead mix. Don't we want to stay away from lead?

I am starting this modding too, so I picked one up from lowes, with a lead free rosin core solder. But what the hell is rosin?

 

[misterD]

i think it has to be lead free only if you (re)building an atty. when you soldering other parts you not going to be inhaling it...
i use this one. seams that it already has flux on it or something like that
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16027

 

[Erik_Bear]

Huh, alright. Is that what the rosin core is? The flux?

 

[misterD]

dont know, man. i heard that you dont need flux if its rosin.quote from wikipedia:

In industry, rosin is the precursor to the flux used in soldering. The lead-tin solder commonly used in electronics has about 1% rosin as a flux core helping the molten metal flow and making a better connection by reducing the refractory solid oxide layer formed at the surface back to metal. It's frequently seen as the burnt or clear residue around new soldering.

 

[Blaze]

Flux is used to clean the two parts that are to be joined by burning off any impurities existing on the parts, and also allows the solder to flow easier.

 

[Erik_Bear]

Alrighty, thanks guys =D

 

[Rocketman]

I'm going to second the motion to build a box mod first.
Why?
Access to each point in the circuit for measurements. Part of this exercise is a learning experience. Being able to easily probe each point in the circuit for voltages, measure resistances, cut a wire, insert an ampmeter and measure current, sort of like a science kit in electrical design, and you get a mod out of it as a result. Beats ending up with a little solar powered fan, right?
Prices might be inviting at DX, but you might want to start modding in this lifetime .
Start with a stateside supplier like MAD or MPJA or MCM.
If you already order stuff from China then look at Heaven-giftsdotcom or HealthCabindot NET, they also have connectors and adapters (an adapter can also be used as a MOD connector).

BUY A METER. If you are going to learn electricity from a book, draw a meter.
If you are going to actually build something BUY A METER.

Box mod parts, a meter, a few simple tools, and supplies.
Just get off your but and make something

Rocket

 

[grim_piper]

i got one at walmart. the only issue i have with it is to solder to aluminum.in that case you need a tool that can reach a higher temperature. but to start a 30wats is ok...

With aluminum, it's not so much a higher temp as it is a whole welding set up. Aluminum goes from hot to puddle very quickly and dirties up with oxides if you try to flame solder(braze). It's a very uncooperative metal.